Friday, February 18, 2011

You Can Go Back To Constantinople

Istanbul is a wonderful tourist destination.  We went to the Spice bazaar located on the ground floor under a large Mosque.  The Mosques are partly funded by the rent of the commercial space.  Some of the largest bazaars are connected to a Mosque.

After we went on the equivalent of the Circle Line of Istanbul.  We saw both the European and the Asian side from the water.  
Unfortunately it was really cold and raw and raining.  However one could see the clubs, restaurants and outdoor spaces that would be wonderful in warmer weather.  The last time I was in Istanbul 43 years ago it was necessary to take a ferry to reach Asia from Europe.  Since then two bridges have been built.  One by the Japanese and the other by the Germans.   Then all the dumpy hippy hotels were by the Blue Mosque.  
Today the quarter is the most fashionable tourist destination and the hotels are very nice.
After lunch we went to Asia to the summer palace of the Sultan built in the 1860's.  the only word to describe it is exquisite.  It is on the Marmara Sea and it is situated so that it gets the cool breezes from the Black Sea.   We had to don pink plastic foot covers which looked like shower caps to walk on the rugs.  Photos were not allowed.  There was a male entrance and a Harem entrance.  They are identical in layout.  The furnishings are elegant and regal as are the many chandeliers.  There was also a quarter for the mother of the sultan who had much power.
There was an apartment which was for visiting royalty and dignitaries.  Outside was the sea nd gardens and French style statues.  The last event was going to the highest point across fro Istanbul.  Beautiful view. 
I had an enjoyable dinner meeting a man named Jerry who lives on West 71st.  He was supposed to go to Egypt but has changed that part of his plans and will go to Paris instead.
he is an American fro small town Illinois who ended up in NYC with the same political views as me

 

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