Beautiful domes and marble work within Mosque

Amazing hanging lights in Suylemans Mosque.

Fantastic Mosque of Suyleman the Great. Active mosque.

Central street off Taksim Square, today a large (thousands) gay and lesbian parade for gay pride week. Turkey was one of the first countries to legitimize same set relationships in the world. Good for them.

This is out of order but neede to get it up before sleeping. Proof I was in Taksim Square at the monument to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, central location for the protests against the current government and Prime Minister of Turkey.

Sink to wash hands prior to prayer behind the Sultans library.

Sultans library, minus the books, beautiful tile work on the walls.

Natural genetic engineering fig growing directly out of a Cypress tree . Man in the picture is Horan our guide he is guide, wonderfully intelligent and fun.

Ceiling at the palace - Marble

Topkapi Palace I know the spelling is wrong but this place was very cool.

Egyptian hieroglyphs on obelisk.

Two obelisks, first one is solid piece of granite and is from 1500 bce. Second is from around 600 ce. These were the center of a 60,000 seat Hippodrome for races like in the movie Ben Hur.

Lots of cheese as well.

All vendors are very precise with their presentations. This guy was stacking these small breads up one by one.

More spices, nuts also saw lots of different kinds of olives

Just a few spices, probably 40 stores selling numerous very fresh spices.

Spice bazaar

Spice bazaar after opening

Spice bazaar before opening 400 yr old building

Spice bazaar this morning - lots of nuts here

Part of Taksim Square - sight of protests against PM Erdogan and the potential destruction of Gezi Park.

Gezi Park and Taksim square

Taksim square visit

Journeyed to Taksim Square last night about 10pm. We were warned of ongoing protests and to be vigilant. Walked the two blocks to the square found a bar to sit and watch the protests. Lots of people, chanting and we could feel excitement in the air but no issues. We understand the big protest was earlier with total of 10,000 people involved with plenty of police activity.  

My artistic creation using Ebru or marbling technique. My mentor is Hikmet Barutcugil.

Our restaurant on the Bosphorus. Unbelievable food and view

From the boat, fort on European side of Bosphorus

Just hanging out in Turkey, on a cruise on the Bosphorus

Sailboats on the Bosphorus

Medusa head carved in Marble, actually this carving is upside down.

Basilica Cistern underground water storage for Istanbul. 500 bce could hold 100,000 cubic meters of water.

Hagia Sophia entrance

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia museum former Church and Mosque. 

First day events

Big day today in Istanbul. Starting with the Hagia Sophia. We then walked to the cisterns which were amazing underground water storage. Many of these ancient cisterns lay underneath Istanbul. Next on our agenda was a cruise on the Bosphorus Straits. This natural body of water basically connects the B lack SeA with the Aegean Sea. We stopped for a fabulous fish lunch next to the straits. Following these amazing visits we learned how to due marble painting in a world famous artists home. Please visit my Facebook page for pictures, I am still having difficulty uploading images to my blog. Kiwi you may need to call mom abut my Facebook.

Call to prayer

Just heard my first call to prayer on the loud,speakers outside of the hotel, it's 4:30 in the morning and I'm awake. It is very early but the sound of the call to prayer connects you to this country, and I can understand how this singular call in the world can connect Muslims around the world.

Arrival in Istanbul

Hi all, I made it to Turkey, the long way. Engine troubles in Denver cost 1.5 hrs, thunderstorm in Chicago cost 1.5-2 hrs re-routing to Rockford Illinois cost another 1.5 hrs. All in all time to Chicago was 6hrs not 2.5. Flight to Turkey suddenly became much longer, could not sleep. Istanbul is highly populated, around 15 million very dense, lots of traffic. Looking forward to the Hagia Sophia and a cruise on the Bosphorous tomorrow and sleep,tonight. Happy Birthday Maggie love you all.

Today I attended a luncheon presented by the World Affairs Council of Denver and the guest speaker was Ambassador Tam, Turkish Ambassador to the US. The event was held at the Brown Palace and attended by about 100 guests. Ambassador Tam spoke of the political issues of the region including Iran,Iraq,Syria and the internal discord in Turkey. I was impressed with his take on the protests, he identified them as democracy in action, how true he is. The participants are simply voicing their right of free speech, those individuals that are inciting violence will be caught and the rule of law will be applied. He also mentioned that of the 57 majority Islamic countries in the world only Turkey has efficiently connected the ideas of free markets, democratic government and secular society that is open to all beliefs. Ambassador Tam touched on the need for international assistance in regards to the Syrian conflict and was happy that President Obama has agreed to assist in arming the freedom fighters against President Assad's ruling party. This luncheon was a wonderful kick start to my trip that begins in just 8 short days.

Ten days out, I am ready except for continuing to attempt to learn a few phrases and words in Turkish.