Istanbul

Normally i would write much more about my vacation to Istanbul but with finals and papers i decided to be quick but at least write something since my time here in the Middle East is almost over. I actually went to Istanbul almost 2 whole weeks ago.

First off i would like to say that security in Egypt despite the fact you do it three times, is incredible simple process. I know the US we are on the look out for terrorists and such but i mean i still dont understand how it can be such a pain but anyway moving on. Landing in Turkey was a weird experience because it was almost like re-landing in Cairo but this time i knew some things about the place i was going and how to get to the hostel. But again everything was in a weird language i didnt understand (at least the letters though were Latin script) and the metro was not running unfortunately when we arrived. We took a cab and made it to the hostel and one thing that made me instantly realize i was no longer in Egypt traffic lights. Who knew people actually needed them? I had forgotten what it was like to actually stop in the middle of the road not because there was traffic but because a light said to do so. When we arrived at the hostel it was one of my first experiences in such a place 10 people one room and of course im glad i was with 2 friends but the others were strangers. We slept woke up for breakfast were given a small tourist map and Nate, Amro, and I decided the best thing to do our first day was to walk as far as possible and get as lost as possible.
We saw the Blue mosque and other things like the Hagia Sophia. We wandered through the streets and saw the people ate the incredible food.

There is not much to say about to Turkey and Istanbul other than to go and visit it. Its a great city easy to navigate and fun to be in. Im glad i went even if i did miss one day of class. The people were awesome and I had fun. I could go into exact every detail about what i ate and what i saw but I dont think that will help. So instead i posted a lot of pictures more than usual and ill write some captions. A picture is worth a thousand words as they say.

The Blue Mosque the nickname of the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet. Its a  suiting nickname once you see the interior.

Nate having fun photo bombing my picture. But i do admit he did it very well

Still the breathtaking Blue Mosque

Its sad how little of the blue really stands out. But needless to say the Ottomans loved tiles. The mosque is covered every inch with blue tiles or paint. It is incredible.

The Hagia Sophia from the outside. Look similar to the Blue mosque? Its because the blue mosque and almost every mosque in Istanbul/Turkey/ottoman empire is modeled after it.

The view from galata tower which was across the Golden Horn one of the rivers that feed into the Bosphorus. (I think....) Istanbul is a city full of hills and the tower has lasted the test of time to give you a great view of the historic part of the city.

View of Topkapi palace and The Hagia Sophia from the tower. We walked from all the way over there.

Still the view from Galata tower but now with "The new Mosque" in the foreground and the minarets of the blue mosque far off in the distance to the left.

My first cup of Turkish coffee in Turkey. Pretty good but as usualy very very strong. Taste wise, the caffeine doesnt really do anything for me.

View from the roof of the hostel at night of the Hagia Sophia.

The Blue mosque with the only star in the sky and the crescent moon.

The inside of the Hagia Sophia where the Byzanitine emperors were crowned of course before being conquered by the Ottomans. The church faced Jerusalem but upon entering the city and of after course pillaging and stealing as every army did in those days the Sultan called for prayer and brought the army into the church and it still face mecca. Only a slight very slight turn to the right is needed. 

The cistern in the old city which was used to store water.

On the Boat to the Asian side of Istanbul. Public transportation was so easy! Ferry, tram, subway everything was for one turkish lira around 60 cents.

On the Asian side on our last day in the City