Alive and well in Istanbul

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Well, we made it! I am struggling wıth a Turkısh keyboard at the 'No Name' internet cafe which is a few blocks away from the Berr Hotel where we are staying for a few days. The city is beautiful and our hosts could not be more welcoming. The people are extremely friendly and generous. It is all about having connectıons here in Turkey - money only goes so far. We toured most of the major attractıons today - Hagıa Sophıa, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace. Also saw what has to be the coolest small venue ın the world - the Basilica Cıstern. It is an underground water reservoır wıth 326 ancıent columns from all over Greece, Rome, and current urkey.There is small wooden stage and the acoustıcs must be incredible. I'll save you more chit chat and post a few pics.

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Photos

Carly and I at Topkapi
In front of the Bosphorus (you can see Asia and Europe at the same time)

A Turkısh Meal
(for Val)

Inside Hagıa Sophıa
A pic from the Byzantıne era - Mary, Jesus, John the Baptıst

Istanbul Streets
They are much crazier than Mexican drivers, but far more skilled

The Blue Mosque
from a window in the Hagia Sophıa

Comments

[Shawn and Amanda]

Hello turkeys
All is well on this end, we've decided to feed your cats Ol' Roy dog food and sausage gravy for the rest of the time...made friends with your neighbors...after our siesta tomorrow we're gonna have a fiesta! Just kidding, no worries here, glad all's well with ya'll. Nice photos! What kind of cheese was that in your fridge? Wes wants to know. Take care, keep in touch Us

[Val]

Yay!
Glad you're there and having fun! Nice pics. I'm especially glad you got the food shot!

[JNE]

Animals
Tell me they're doing OK. I need to hear it!