Flags hanging inside the Grand Bazaar
This is Zeki, a carpet-seller in the Grand Bazaar, sitting in front of a 100-and-something-year-old kilim (flat-weave rug). Zeki, I'm pretty sure, is the only person in the entire Bazaar who does not try to lure tourists into his shop the way a spider would lure an insect into its web. Most shop-owners are all "Hey, c'mon, have a quick look around, looking is free," until you're inside, and then they basically block the door until you take them up on what is, they assure you, a very special deal just for you, since you're such a special tourist and all. Zeki, however, just gave me tea and educated me in the world of fine carpets for several hours, without so much as a hint of "How much would you pay for this?"
Pottery shop in the Bazaar. They love their painted flatware in Istanbul.
The dome inside the Haghia Sophia, a 1500-year-old church-turned-mosque-turned museum.
Colors and columns inside the Haghia Sophia.
Streams of tourists with umbrellas pouring out of Topkapi Palace. It rained or drizzled or misted literally all day every day while we were in Istanbul. It was like therapy for my skin. It kinda sucked to never have dry feet, though.
Inside Topkapi.
Famous Blue Mosque.
Don't drive your tractor on the bridge.
I DREAM of being able to visit Istanbul one day. Love all the pictures. Glad you have so many opportunities to see the world, meet new people, and learn so many new things. (Jealous too. Very jealous. I haven't been out of this country in far too long and I'm starting to itch).
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely LOVE to go to Istanbul one day. I'm a little jealous too. :) The pictures were beautiful though!
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