Istanbul, not Constantinople

The destination of Istanbul was the main reason we choose this cruise to begin with. Istanbul, in my mind, seemed like such a distant land, filled with mystery and intrigue, and me not knowing anything about it. When the opportunity came to us to go on this cruise, we just had to do it. We arose very early in the morning and, as always, we gathered the troops and headed to the breakfast buffet. After getting our food we were able to find a seat next to a window that overlooked the water and off in the distance the Hagia Sophia loomed, painted against a dusky morning sky. We disembarked the ship with much anticipation. Through my reading I knew that I needed to change some of my money into Turkish Liras. There was a bank across the street from the port, just down from where we needed to catch the tram, very convenient. After getting my money we headed toward the tram area, a 100 meters away. Since I wasn't sure how to purchase the tickets, I waited and observed. When you are in a foreign country this is one of the best tools of the trade, waiting, watching and learning. So after observing a few people purchase I felt confident enough to try. No problem, money inserted, button pushed and token given. We caught the tram and headed on our way up the hill to the Hagia Sophia. At this point of the story, I need to explain that at some point in my schooling, I am sure during a history or social studies class, the name Hagia Sophia was talked about. I remember thinking to myself this important structure seemed such a world away and realizing that I would never probably get there. Well, here I was, about to walk through it. I was very excited. We got off the tram and there it was the Hagia Sophia, just towering above the people walking around her. This was not to be outdone by the Blue Mosque, a huge mosque with minarets shooting toward the sky. We purchased tickets to get into the Hagia Sophia and walked through these towering doors and entered her sanctuary. The inside was this marvelous empty space surrounded by pillars, chandeliers and walls covered in frescoes. We spent quite a long time taking it all in. There were so many pictures to be taken, we just couldn't get it all. The edifice was old, that you knew for sure, but she had grandeur and you knew that in her day she was the place to be. After spending quite a bit of time on the first floor we hiked the stairs to the second floor and then had a great view from above, looking down on everybody else. The walls were tatooed with frescoes of Christ and his mother and other depictions of Christ and Apostles. Although, the walls were in a state of disrepair and the frescoes were crumbling you could still make out the picture. Considering this building was built in 6 AD, that is not too shabby. At this point it was time to move on, so much to see in Istanbul in just one day. We walked over to the Blue Mosque next, and like any mosque the ladies had to cover their head and we had to remove our shoes. The outside and inside were gorgeous. The blue tiles covered the inside and outside. Inside, we needed to be reverent because there were still people worshipping, praying on their hands and knees. We probably spent 10 minutes in there and then were ushered out because the Mosque needed to close. We all needed to use the restroom so we found a watercloset (restroom) next to the Blue Mosque. Well McKay and I had no trouble going, but for the ladies it was a different story all together. Instead of toilets the girls just had a hole, nothing to sit on. So the next thing I know as McKay and I waited, they show up with toilet paper in hand and no bladder relief. They couldn't do it. So I basically paid 2 Euro for 3 pieces of toilet paper...I guess that will go in their scrapbooks. Next on the agenda was the Grand Bazaar. Again, one of those things you hear about growing up, but never really believe that you will ever make it. We wandered from the Hagia Sophia area, through little winding streets following the street signs directing us. When we reached the bazaar, it wasn't what we expected. The building was partially hidden by kiosks and vendors selling their wares. A little alley led to the entrance. What I didn't realize was that it wasn't a bunch of tents bound together, it was actually a building...never knew that. The place was busy, but no so busy that you couldn't move or negotiate. We really didn't have any specific souvenirs that we needed, just whatever caught our eye. I decided I wanted an Aladdin's lamp. So I found one I liked and negotiated with the shop keeper. He reluctantly agreed but said he will sell it to me for 10 Euro but I had to go a few stores up and visit his cousin. His cousin's store had rugs, rugs, more rugs...oh and some rugs. We talked for several minutes and then as is customary he offered us some tea. We explained that we couldn't have the tea and the reason why. He said he knew all about our religion, in fact he had many friends in both Utah and Idaho and was very familiar with the LDS faith. He even pulled out his address book to show me the people he knew in Utah, almost like he was wondering if I knew them as well. He went on to explain that this tea was okay because it was an herbal cherry or apple tea which was safe for us to drink. And just for the record, it was the best cherry tea. Needless to say by this time he had made a sale. Sharma bought a table runner which was very nice. We continued to walk through the Bazaar and bought trinkets along the way. One guy saw Maddi and gave her a bracelet for free, just because. Sharma bought a handful of old buttons and I got a fez. The day before, when we were with Ali in Ephesus, he had prayer beads that we found very interesting. Prayer beads are divided into three sections with 7 beads in each section. So we were all able to find prayer beads to buy as souvenirs, which I thought really expressed our reverence for this country and it's religion. That is the thing about souvenirs, you buy (or find) the ones that have a special meaning to you, there should always be a connection. Our next, and last, stop was the spice market. It was back toward the ship so we started heading that way. We wound our way through the streets, passing a myriad of people. I must say at this point, the Turkish people were very friendly, never did I feel like I, or my family, were in harms way in this country. I think we were both a little concerned about Turkey due to our preconceived notions (based on nothing substantial), but those concerns were soon laid to rest. The spice market was a tornado of colors. Every stand had the rainbow on display, first time in my life I could smell the rainbow (no offense Skittles). The aroma of all the spices blended together so much, you couldn't tell which specific spice was tickling your nose. On our way out we decided we should buy something, so we entered a shop and talked with the shopkeeper and then we purchased some of his colorful bounty. We then finished up the day heading back to the ship. It was a long walk but what better way to see Istanbul. We had to cross a large bridge to get back to the ship. The bridge looked like it had sprouted a thousand antennae from all of the fishermen hanging their poles off of the bridge in hopes of landing 'the big one'. Once back on the ship, I just couldn't sit still knowing that we were still in Istanbul. I tried to lie in our cabin next to Sharma, who was asleep at this point, but I couldn't. I just needed to take more of Istanbul in. The ship was getting close to it's departure time and dusk was settling in, so I decided to go to the front of the ship on the highest deck possible and just watch and listen. I found myself gazing across the horizon at all of the buildings, especially the mosques with the minarets giving away their positions. And then the call to prayer happened...I just had this overwhelming feeling of respect for the Muslim religion. Realizing that they pray 5 times a day and the dedication they have to what they believe...do I have that same dedication? As the sun set, I overheard the couple talking next to me, they mentioned something about the LDS faith. I mustered my courage to ask them if they were LDS as well, they were and we talked for 30 minutes outside on the deck as Istanbul faded off in the horizon. What a great time we had here. Transportation to city: cruise ship (MSC Magnifica) Transportation in city: Tram-To Hagia Sophia 1.80 TL/person, token received; Walked from Hagia Sophia to Grand Bazaar to Spice Market and back to ship Sites: Hagia Sophia 20 TL/person; Blue Mosque-free, head covering for women; Grand Bazaar, Spice Market