Istanbul.....Constantinople

We elected to stay just outside Istanbul near their second airport....convenient for catching flights but also because of the "troubles". The tourism trade here is down about 90% according to most of the guides and shopkeepers we spoke to and they are grateful to those like us who still visit this marvellous place to enjoy the culture, history and attractions. There is a heavy military/police presence all around the city which reinforced our decision, but we wanted to spend a day in the Old City to see what we could of the sites....and to shop in the Grand Bazaar.

It was Friday, prayers in the Blue Mosque, so we couldn't go inside but what a site it is. Magnificent architecture and engineering surrounded by parks and water features .....which is a strong part of Islamic design.

As we walked the marble stones that people have been walking for more than a thousand years through the Roman hippodrome, it was hard to believe that we were at the point in geography and history where East meets West and cultures and religions and great empires have risen and fallen. 

We visited the Haigh Sophia in the latest of its iterations from pagan Roman, Christian in Crusades times and Islamic from about 14th Century to now, as a museum for the last 30 years. When I saw it 42 years ago it was still in use and covered with huge carpets and mats with candles and oil lamps and crowds of worshippers......and still magnificent.

It would be easy to spend days exploring this huge, historic building but with Iimited time we were off to the underground cistern where Istanbul's water supply came from. The pillars had been looted for all over the Byzantine Empire and they were looking for something constructive to do with them. 

I think they succeeded!

And then, an afternoon in the famous Grand Bazaar including lunch of kebabs in an alleyway with the local Black Market money changes and all the worshippers from the mosque next door crowding through the alleys coming back to work after their prayers. The sights, sounds, smells .....overwhelming at times.

We were lucky that the crowds were significantly down and we spent a couple of hours browsing...as you do in an ancient bazaar, and came out with a number of shiny trinkets....and much Turkish delight...kilos actually.

Istanbul? Worth the visit despite the problems and we were pleased to have had the opportunity and made time to savour this melting pot experience.