Istanbul, Turkey

We were very privileged to visit Istanbul, Turkey this past week. We had a great time. The first night we were there, we found a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque. It was an amazing view and great food. We also got to watch the Turkey vs. Croatia game for the EuroCup on the big screen afterwards down with all the locals. It was a great game which went into overtime with no score. It then went into goal kicks and that is what won Turkey the game. I did not stay up to see this sight, but Charles did and apparently the streets went mad with boisterous Turks celebrating their big win. Charles and his friend received many affections all over the place. It was a great way to start our trip. (The Blue Mosque is pictured above).

Our second day there we visited the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Above is an inside shot of the Blue Mosque.



Inside the blue mosque, a lone worshiper and his son.


Translation: There is no God but God and Mohammed is God's messenger or prophet.

Abby and Sammy inside the Blue Mosque. I accidentally told someone I was American inside the mosque. I was immediately yelled at and told that they hated me. The man later apologized and told me that he hated my government and not me. I appreciate that and I can certainly understand what his beef was with the U.S. government. However, I no longer told anyone I was American, I just said we lived in London.


Cozying up with Charles in the courtyard of the Blue Mosque (notice the attention I get in the absence of the mistress - see previous blog post.)

Heading to the Hagia Sophia

Inside the Hagia Sophia. We got a guide named Mohammad who was an 80-year old man. I usually love little-old-Middle Eastern men but this one was not at all short on words and he began to bore me. He was impressed though with my ability to read Arabic.

The name plates read Ali and Hussein, the son-in-law and grandson of the prophet Mohammad.

That night we decided to take in some belly dancing so we booked tickets to a concert that included dinner. It was in this fancy club. Abby and Sammy accompanied us as well. They got a little restless until the belly dancers came out but then they were entranced by them. Abby however did not like the first one, the one she named the "green one." I think it was because one of our friends traveling with us got up and danced with her. This horrified Abby. She would not watch and buried her head in Charles' chest. Sammy danced with some traditional Turkish dancer and then eventually fell asleep around 11pm to the sound of extremely loud thumping belly dancing music and lots of cigarette smoke, Abby followed shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, they both missed the BEST belly dancer of all, the male one. He was amazing and probably the best I have ever seen (I had never seen a male belly dancer before). Anyway, the whole thing made me remember my days at NYU when I took belly dancing. I am almost ready to take it up again.... (I have no pictures of this night because we left our camera at the hotel. However, our friends took loads of pictures including the green belly dancer showing her moves to Charles. I will have to get those pictures!)
Abby and our friend Simon ready to shop at the Grand Bazaar.


Inside the bazaar


Loads of Turkish Delight and Baklava



The lamp shop in the Grand Bazaar makes for a pretty colourful picture...


a store in the spice market

Abby patiently and lady-like waiting while Mama and friends decide on scarves to buy.

Shots of the group browsing the shops outside the bazaar

Sammy chowin' down on some roadside BBQ corn

The next day we took a three hour boat tour around Istanbul viewing the Asian and European sides of the city.

Bridge connecting Asian and European sides of the city

The above two pictures are of a 18th century palace. I don't know much else about it because I didn't hear what our guide said. Anyway, it's pretty.

This is just a cool shot outside a nameless mosque of men washing up for prayer - very artistic Charles.

Topkapi Palace entrance

This is the outside of the Harem for the Ottoman Sultan

Inside the Harem

Playing on the rooftop of our hotel and admiring the view

This was the view from the rooftop of the hotel at night.

Here is a last picture of the group on the last day enjoying the water view.


Other Highlights:

--Charles and friend Simon reading to Sam on the airplane in every accent they can think of. I was trying to sleep but could not because I could not help laughing at them.
--The night after we went to the Belly dancing concert, we went to a very posh restaurant famous for its fine Ottoman cuisine originally prepared for the sumptuous celebration feast of the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent's sons when they were circumcised. We told the men we were eating there and that we got an "appointment" and they had some worried looks on their faces.

--Sammy's boyfriend - The first night we were there we ate this restaurant with an amazing view. One of the waiters was smitten by Abby and Sam, especially Sammy, he bought them both bracelets and gave them flowers. He asked Sammy if she would stay with him and she did not hesitate a moment to say goodbye to us. The waiter carried her around and entertained her much of the time which we were very grateful for so we could eat our meal in peace.

--Sammy and Abby were pinched, prodded, kissed, petted, touched, photographed and hugged numerous times over and they were very good about it.