Istanbul, Turkey

I am quickly running out of adjectives to help me describe these places without sounding repetitive. So, to put it simply, Turkey has been my absolute favorite country.  The mystery that it was to me before I came here, gave me no prior expectations and the ability to thoroughly enjoy everything I saw. Istanbul is unlike any city I have ever seen.  Did know that it is the only city in the world that is part of two continents? There is a large bridge connecting the part that is Europe to Asia. It is a beautiful port city full of life and busy streets to explore. We started off the morning by sitting in slow moving traffic, eventually getting out and walking the rest of the way to our first sight to see which was the blue mosque.  It is the second largest mosque in Istanbul and is beautiful. We walked past the green grass, tall trees, and beautiful spring flowers that surround everything in the city. We removed our shoes and stepped inside to see the large domed ceilings, which were covered with floral blue tile designs.  Hanging from the hundred foot tall ceilings are long cable cords that are used to hold up the low hanging light fixtures only a few feet above your head.  Now, these light fixtures hold bulbs in each one but once were individually lit oil candles. The blue mosque, as well as many others in the city are used for the five daily calls to prayer a day. At any place in the city you can hear the foreign song that calls the Muslims to prayer.  To see people simultaneously stop what they are doing, whether it be walking, driving, working or eating, and go to pray is something that does not go unnoticed, even in this busy city. 

Our day continued as we waked the endless streets that are lined with colorful tulips. Passing by shopping bazaars full of oriental rugs and silks, street vendors who have an appealing selection of roasted chestnuts, corn, and circular shaped sesame breads.  Oh and of course the overwhelming assortments of Turkish Delight, which if you ask me, sound like a magical treat, thanks to the advertising done by Narnia. I will say that, as somewhat of an expert on sweets, it is not magical, but will have to do as a replacement for Easter peeps this year.  I could have wandered these streets for days finding new places to see, I hope someday, I will get the chance to come back.