Turkey June 5 - Istanbul - by David (aka Dad)

In June I traveled to Turkey with my mom and dad. My dad wrote emails to our family every couple of days, so I'm taking a short cut and using his emails to tell you about our trip. It was fabulous~


Ah, Istanbul. We arrived in Istanbul at 10:30 where we met Jessica, who had also just flown in, at the airport. From there we went to our hotel, and then set off for a cruise on the Bosphorus River. This river flows south from the Black Sea to Istanbul where it flows into the Maramara Sea. It was a good way to get a feel for how the city populates the shores and hills adjacent to the river and the sea. The ride was pleasant and fun even though the commentary was pretty useless.

After the cruise, the organizers took us to the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar. This was a colorful, indoor market of all things Turkish, particularly (of course) spices, but also Turkish Delight, ceramic dishes and pottery, carpets and rugs, scarves, etc. A market like this is just something one has to experience to understand it. They are usually crowded, with salesmen working the crowd trying to get you into their shops. They are colorful, loud and energetic, and actually quite fun and interesting.

By the time we were dropped off at the hotel, it was evening and we were hungry. We found ourselves a street café and had shish kebob for dinner. We were close to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Cami), it was nighttime and the Mosque was lit up. People were milling around the park and grounds just outside the mosque, while street vendors sold bakery goods, grilled corn on the cob, pretzels and bread items and ice cream. There were little blue balls of light ascending and descending in the night sky. These were small, battery powered whirly-bird affairs with blue lights that are propelled into the air by rubber bands

The Blue Mosque itself, with its six minarets, was beautifully lighted against the night sky. It was about 9 p.m. and the mosque was still open. Karma and Jessica donned head scarves, and we removed our shoes and entered. Inside, the mosque was a beautiful collection of tiled walls and painted arches and domes. Muslims do not believe in painting people or animals, so the designs are generally flower and geometric designs. It is like an Arabian carpet imposed upon the massive interior of the mosque.

The mosque is mainly just one large room, with the center section reserved for men to pray. Mosques lack all the iconography, statuary, and the like of European churches. They are really simple, elegant and graceful structures. We observed men praying and chanting while there and were impressed with the faith those present showed to God (Allah). Mostly, we felt the sense of reverence created by the Mosque and the people within.

While a secular country, Turkey is nevertheless 99% Muslim. In Istanbul, the majority of women cover their heads with head scarves, and are covered to their wrists and toes. A very few wear the full black bhurka, with even fewer (we have seen maybe 10-20 total), having their faces covered. Still, they are not drab, and give no appearance of sadness or oppression. Rather, it is simply what their faith asks of them, and they appear comfortable and relaxed.

It was late, and after leaving the mosque, we immediately headed back to the hotel ready for a long-awaited full night of sleep. The night did not disappoint, and we slept soundly, especially Jessica and me who slept right through the early morning call to prayer.