November 14, 2012
-
baaaaaack to reality.
I've been back a week and a half now and I still feel like I'm in a funk. But, I gotta get on with it. So... I will start with some photos of Turkey.
I guess it would be a good idea to start with my favorite place-- Aya Sofya. Built in 537 by the Byzantines, it served as a cathedral. When the Ottomans took over in 1453 it was converted into a mosque. Since 1935 it was been open as a secular museum... and pretty much the most amazing thing I've seen in a long time.
the lanterns 
I wasn't the only one gawking at them
My friend and tour guide, Bora
The cool thing is that there is a big second floor too and you have to walk up this pathway that looks like something straight out of Sunday School. Awesome.
view from the top
I found Jesus!
Love the patterns and colors of Turkey
Rotate your hand 360 degrees and make a wish! Not hard for someone with a creepy hyper-extended elbow! I can't remember what I wished for, but it was probably just to come back.
When people ask me what my favorite thing of the trip was, I say the food and the Ayasofya. More to come!
Comments (4)
I never understood the Japanese obsession with Turkey. I kind of get it now.
@coolnahalf - Are Japanese people obsessed with Turkey!? Aw, my 2 favorite countries and one has a crush on the other. How sweet.
I'm obsessed with Turkey too. Ayasofia! Ahhh! So beautiful! I want to see the whirling dervishes in honor of Rumi in December (not happening this year....). Yes, Islamic patterns and Turkish mosaics are amazing!
@Saferia - Hey! OMG-- I really, really, really wanted to see dervishes when I was there, but it didn't happen. Maybe it is for the best. In Istanbul they have a lot of dervish "shows" but my friend said that they aren't really real... and I sort of started to get that feeling too the more signs I saw for it. To get the real deal we should go to Konya, where Rumi is buried. Have you read "The forty rules of love" about Rumi? Definitely pick that up!
I agree with you on the tiles too-- I was so dazzled by all the patterns and colors.
Comments are closed.