A favorite travel quote that I read some years ago is: "Life should not be measured in the breaths we take, but in the moments that take our breath away." Today was one of those days that our lives were measured well.. With each sight we found ourselves running out of superlatives. Our breath was taken away by the beauty and magnificence of all that we saw. We began with the Blue Mosque, pictured above. The domes and minarets I mentioned as the backdrop of last nights dinner. My camera lens was not wide enough, from where I stood, to get all six minarets. Guide books describe it as "A stone mountain of domes, half domes, and minarets built during the early 17th century by Ottoman ruler Sultan Ahmet who was seeking to produce a building as impressive as Christendom's St. Sofia, which we will see tomorrow. The Sultan was so enthusiastic about the project that he sometimes worked alongside the hired laborers.
It is indeed impressive and a remarkable fete of building construction. Inside, 20,000 shimmering blue green Iznik tiles are interspersed with 260 stained glass windows, calligraphy and intricate patterns painted on the domes. The light filled mosque filled us with awe.
That was our first stop. Our last was the Topkapi Palace, showplace of the Sultans. Topkapi is not simply a spectacular palace but an entire universe unto itself. It is a treasure house of Islamic art, power hub of the Ottoman Empire, home to more than 20 sultans and simply a world of wonders. Perched over the Bosphorus this sprawling complex was the residence and center of bloodshed and drama for the Ottoman rulers from the 1450's to the 1850's. At one time home to some 5000 residents. It is a treasure house to which marauding sultans brought back marvels from centuries of conquest, including the world's seventh largest diamond. and the greatly revered Mantle of the Prophet Muhammed. Needless to say much of what we saw could not be photographed.
I just realized that those two stops, plus the Hippodrome, a stadium for chariot racing, kept us on our feet and walking for 7 hours. We are a weary group tonight, but we managed to regain our strength and enhance stamina with a dinner of lamb shish kebobs and rice and this puffy pita bread draped over a small basket. One of these for every two people. :)
In addition to St. Sophia tomorrow, we are going to cruise the Bosphorus. The group is healthy and doing well. We will sleep well tonight.
Blessings,
Mary
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