Photos Istanbul

WELCOME TO THE PHOTOS from my trip to Istanbul. I am still new to blogging so I have to confess my process is not without errors. I don’t know how to order photos other than manually as I upload them. Aside from my frustration with the creative process, you the “reader” might also be frustrated. I loaded the photos as I composed my posts.

Therefore the first photos are at the bottom of this page.

1. Start at the bottom and work your way up…….until you’re finished looking at the ceiling of the Blue Mosque

(which is in the middle).

2. Then go to the top of the page and work your way down to those same photos of the Blue Mosque.

This will follow the order of my posts. So sorry! One day I will look back and laugh….oh, wait….I am laughing.

Hope you are too. Patricia

Day 5 Not Disneyland ...... Topkapi Palace.

A spectacular location on top of a hill.

Looking across the water - the tall tower is Galata tower - the area where we stayed.

I loved the pattern of this outdoor sidewalk - smooth pebbles standing on end.

Sooooo much beauty everywhere.

Sufi Musicians and Dervishes.

The dervish with his headdress (his ego's tombstone), his white skirt (his ego's shroud) is removing his black cloak spiritually born to the truth, he journeys and advances there. At the onset and each stop of the Sema, holding his arms crosswise he represent the number one, and testifies to God's unity. While whirling his arms are open, his right hand directed to the skies ready to receive God's beneficence, looking to his left hand turned toward the earth, he turns from right to left around the heart. This is his way of conveying God's spiritual gift to the people upon whom he looks with the eyes of God. Revolving around the heart, from right to left, he embraces all the mankind, all the creation with affection and love…

The Blue Mosque as it looked at night walking home from the Whirling Dervishes. See the moon on the right side?

Time to head across the Bosphorus Strait to the Asian side of Istanbul.

I saw this all day, every day - men deliver tea (called chai in Turkish and Bulgarian) to shop owners – in tea glasses

and on a silver tray. Tea is a staple.

Not sure what the name of this is, but a Turk assured me is really delicious. Its layers and layers of roasting intestines.

More gorgeous fresh produce. This is the bazaar area of Kadiköy on the Asian side of the Bosphorus.

Fresh turkeys.

Fresh sheeps heads. Hmmm.

I prefer the fresh nuts, dried fruits and herbs.

I saw a lot of this. I'm not sure what it is. I did not see any holly like I am familiar with.

Çiya - a wonderful restaurant with creative cooking. There are actually 3 branches of this same restaurant on this street.

This is the first time I've seen a 2-tone crow.

The square shared by Süleymaniye Mosque and a University.

Süleymaniye Mosque

Street kittys happily feasting on food put out for them.

Historic trolley/cable car which runs down Istiklal Street.

The vegetarian restaurant where I had lunch.

These cafeterias are frequent all over town - you get to see what's to eat - and so much of it looks outstanding. There is something for everyone.

Christmas decorations in one of the Catholic churches in Istanbul.

These stray dogs get lots of attention and food. This is their favorite spot to sleep and hang out.

Evening shot of Galata Tower. Excellent location for lodging while in Istanbul - accessible and quiet.

Our apartment was down this tiny street.

Early evening New Year's Eve - Istiklal Street

Taking the morning boat to the Princes Islands.

I enjoyed visiting Starbucks. Here in Istanbul it was the first time in 9 months.

A new friend.

I walked uphill through these lovely woods. It was very peaceful.

These horses must have had the day off. They were loose and nibbling the grass.

A few minutes later I turn around and they're following me. Well, not really they turned to the right headed to their next destination.

Views from the top.....east

and west....

I saw dozens of freighters "parked" here - apparently things slow down on New Years Day. The waters of the Bosphorus Strait are so treacherous that ships are required to have a local navigator board and guide the ships toward the Black Sea.

This old rickety building was at the top of the hill - maybe an old hospital or ???? It would be a great location for a horror movie!

Two forms of transportation on the island for tourists - horse buggies and .....

Bike rentals - It's a small world.

Heading back "downtown" New Years Day afternoon.

An entertaining entrepreneur. You too can have this lemon juice collector - just purchase a package of 6 for the very low price of...

The cable cars up to Pierre Loti.

The view of the Golden Horn.

Dinner with Evrim and Tricia.

After Pierre Loti, I decided to walk across this bridge instead of taking the tram. There are always people fishing off the top and below are many restaurants and shops.

A restaurant with nicely carved wood tables and chairs and yes, a hooka - water pipe.

Another one - offering bean bag chair comfort.

jellyfish

The view out of my bedroom window.

Last day - clean out the fridge - the kittys get what's left of the yogurt.

At the bus station waiting to head north.....product placement photo.....IKEA just over there and in Istanbul there were many, many familiar names...Burger King, McDonalds, Starbucks, Columbia Clothing, Van's, New Balance, Adidas, etc. Oh, and also Domino's Pizza - complete with delivery via motorcycle.


Sultan Ahmed Mosque - The Blue Mosque (this is where you go to the top of the page to continue)

Omer introducing us to the Blue Mosque.

The Basilica Cistern

Turkish carpet salon. ElRincondeFehmi.com

The patchwork carpet is made from carpets too old and/or damaged to be fully restored. So the best pieces are quilted into new carpets for an extended life. Tricia is an interested listener.

I liked this one because of all the animals and flowers.


Silk and intricate detail.

I love my new rug - am planning on hanging it on a wall.

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofia) museum. Amazing ancient architecture - those black dots down below are people.

Jesus in a gold tile mosaic.

The sun setting behind a bank of clouds - just about 5:00pm.

Love the metro - especially when it's not crowded.

We were toasty warm while eating lunch.

Just got off the bus....see it's not that far away.....

What a gorgeous spot!

The bridge below spans two continents. I'm standing in Europe and across the Bosphorus is Asia.

There were a lot of street performers on Istiklal Street. These folks were from either South or Central America playing panpipe music dressed in North American Indian clothing and headresses. Another time I saw them performing just as themselves.