It’s Turkey Time

I have spent some time in Eastern Europe but I have never visited the amazing country on the “edge”.

While not the capital of Turkey (Ankara is the capital) Istanbul is its’ largest and most dazzling metropolis. Formerly know as Constantinople, 20 million people live in a city that straddles the Bosporus Strait with the north sections in Asia and the south in Europe.

It reminds me of NYC married to Rome. There are narrow alleys, hills!tons of restaurant and “stopped” traffic EVERYWHERE! Stores selling everything from “open air” exposed beautiful spices and Turkish treats to pots, hardware and clothes, and even fasteners (you can buy the little machine to insert your own snaps).

It’s hard to get to Turkey from Pittsburgh……three flights and two bad United meals later, after the hour and a half ride from the airport (due to traffic) a good night’s rest was just what I needed.

The next day in Istanbul was a free day-I don’t meet up with the group until tomorrow.

My first sightseeing adventure was to the Basilica Cistern. This amazing underground structure was built in the 1400’s by 7000 slave. It is one and half football fields big and supplied water to 100,000 thirsty citizens.

After a coffee break it was off to see the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent completed in 1557. This guy, the 10th sultan of the Ottoman Empire (world’s greatest power) reigned for nearly 46 years. He was a leader who realized that different regions and different peoples needed different laws

Lunch was a tasty gyro and then a walk down to the Strait. Pretty “eye candy” along the way:

The last adventure was figuring out how to get back to the hotel (and up a big hill) on pubic transportation. You can tap the little entrance screen with a credit card and you join the traveling masses.

Tomorrow is the last day in Istanbul until we come back after exploring the rest of Turkey.