September 24, 2024
Istanbul
Weather - clear and 70's (beautiful!)
The Viking Sea steamed into Istanbul just before dawn. Paul was up and got a picture of the Hagia Sophia as we steamed by the Golden Horn. We docked and with an early breakfast (the usual) we were eager to start the day. The cruise terminal in Istanbul is state of the art. Able to hold 5 cruise ships, with an immigration station and a huge tour bus terminal underground beneath some upscale shops and eateries. We found our bus (#15) easily although it was quite a walk, maybe 15 minutes.
Once underway we entered the parking lot disguised as the streets of Istanbul and made our way to a scenic overlook on the Asian side of the river. (We docked near the Galata Tower on the European side.) There was a good view of the bridge and the busy waterway called the Bosporus. Just north of where we were was a choke point for traffic going to and from posts on the Black Sea – ships were queued.
Cats were all over and very used to being petted. We returned to the bus and drove back over the waterway to the area of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome. We were let off (after 2 hours of bus-sitting) near the blue Mosque. There was a long queue to enter that monument. Traffic is terrible. While Istanbul has good mass transit, many like to drive their own cars because they can smoke!
We walked along a beautiful Park area full of people. We saw the Hippodrome monuments, some beautiful fountains (that were not running) and a lot of people. Then we turned and saw this very large edifice – the Hagia Sophia. It was built 1500 years ago! Of course, it has had its ups and downs – the Nika riots, the Fourth Crusade, Sultan Mehmet, Ataturk and Erdogan. It is now a Mosque on the bottom level and a museum on the second floor.
Then the guide informs us that women need to have their hair covered. So, Shirley queued up and bought a $2 piece of black fabric – maybe plastic? We got in the line which moved remarkably fast, passed the inspectors that made sure of head coverings, shoulder coverings and knee coverings. We scanned the tickets and ascended to the very spacious second floor. There we were able to take pictures and marvel at the immensity of this place. Taking in the History is mind boggling – 1500 years!
Some of the frescoes were Ottoman, but some were Byzantine. Erdogan left some mosaics and they were viewed on the second floor. There was one of the Blessed Virgin in the main part, and the Muslims draped a white cloth over it so it could only be seen from a second floor vantage point.
All together there were 7 mosaics to be seen. The Muslims obliterated the heads of the Angels on the 4 corners. Fortunately, they left the vignette of Christ Pantocrator.
What we saw was awesome. We walked on 1500-year-old marble floors, touched walls the Emperors (Justinian the builder), Saints, and many other notables touched. A truly memorable experience!
We were out of there in an hour – that was enough. We saw the first floor, now a mosque and non-Muslims are not allowed. The candelabras hung from the ceiling were kind of neat, but the new use of the space did nothing for me. Then, after a brief rest we were off on a 20 minute walk to the Grand Bazaar.
There are over 4,000 shops under the roof. It is overwhelming. But, it was surprising too because unlike the other places in Turkey where we have walked by shops, here the shopkeepers did not assail you. The men huddled and drank tea and smoked. It was very crowded.
We were through early as we weren’t looking to purchase anything. So, we sat outside at the designated meeting place out tour guide set. It was outside a Mosque and at 1 PM the Imam’s assistant (the Muezzin) called faithful to prayer. It was loud and long. Soon several men trotted to the ablation station before entering in the Mosque to pray.
The washed their feet, hands, nose, ears in a prescribed order before entering to pray. Soon the Tour guide came and (after a hello Kitty moment), we walked to our bus on the shores of the Bosporus past several hundred jewelry stores (no kidding!)
On the bus and 20 minutes (and 3 km) later we were at the cruise port. Another 15 minutes we were at the World Café eating delicious food (and Gelato). Then we had a short rest after 13,229 steps and resumed packing.
Very early night tonight. We have to be off the ship at 3 AM. So, to be showered, the last-minute stuff packed and be ready to go, we will be up very, very early indeed. More blogging to come from Cappadocia!
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