Istanbul - Before and After


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Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul
February 23rd 2010
Published: March 7th 2010
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Face of Istanbul.Face of Istanbul.Face of Istanbul.

This of course was a face from the early Christian era.
Our first stop was Istanbul, it was also our last. So we thought that we'd put them both together.

We were on a real high when we first got to Turkey, all pumped up and raring to go. Istanbul is full of history, everywhere you turn, there it is. Even the little variety stores are in buildings that are over a hundred years old. We got up the first morning and went to the Hagia Sophia, a museum that had been a mosque which had been a church. Time to head off to Asia for a few weeks after all it wasn't that warm in Turkey.

When we got back we had a little more time to experience the sights and culture of Istanbul. We got to see the Blue Mosque, the Spice Bazaar, the underground cistern and especially the Topkapi Palace.

We really enjoyed wandering around the city getting lost in it's myriad of winding streets. Luckily we had a sat nav on the iPhone.

After four more days of exploring this great city it was finally time for us to head back to snowy Canada.


Additional photos below
Photos: 14, Displayed: 14


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Blue Mosque By MoonlightBlue Mosque By Moonlight
Blue Mosque By Moonlight

This was our first night in Istanbul everything was closed but we just couldn't resist going out and taking this photo of the mosque.
Blue Mosque Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque

The iconic view of the best know building in Istanbul.
Blue MosqueBlue Mosque
Blue Mosque

The interior of the Blue Mosque was very atmospheric.
Spice BazaarSpice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar

The smells and sounds of this massive bazaar were a real sensory treat. The fact that they were constanatly giving out free samples was just a bonus.
Coffee Break.Coffee Break.
Coffee Break.

Lesley drinking a Turkish coffee which was closer to heated up mud in a thimble. Not very tasty but it sure packed a punch.
Cats of Istanbul.Cats of Istanbul.
Cats of Istanbul.

The city was absolutely swarming with felines. Everywhere you turned there were cats. They all seemed healthy and cared for. Maybe it was because there didn't seem to be any dogs in town.
Local LadyLocal Lady
Local Lady

The women in Istanbul had a style of their own. Part hijab, part logo t-shirt and mostly black.
Posts and Pillers.Posts and Pillers.
Posts and Pillers.

Lesley holding up one of the buildings near the Hagia Sophia.
Boy on the Bosphorus.Boy on the Bosphorus.
Boy on the Bosphorus.

Standing beside the Bosphorus really showed off the great skyline of Istanbul.
Caged Like Wild Animals.Caged Like Wild Animals.
Caged Like Wild Animals.

I went to a Turkish football match between Galatasaray and Besiktas. It was the Besiktas home ground and I was in the visitors enclosure. Well when I say enclosure I really mean cage. It was totally mad. The Galatasaray fans were great, really friendly. Probably 'cause I said I was a life-long supporter. Lol.
Sights and Smells.Sights and Smells.
Sights and Smells.

This is a aromatherapy stall in the Grand Bazaar where Lesleygirl was overwhelmed by the selection of pure essential oils available in Turkey.
Returning to the Scene of the Crime.Returning to the Scene of the Crime.
Returning to the Scene of the Crime.

Here I am, 2010 standing in the Istanbul train station right were I was standing just 33 years ago just after a bomb went off in the left luggage room. They cleaned the place up nicely.
Istanbul 1977Istanbul 1977
Istanbul 1977

1977 (May 29) Istanbul Yesilkoy Airport and Sirkeci Station were bombed. Four people died and 31 people were injured. The attacks were undertaken by the "Extreme Armenian Movement Groups". When the bomb went off, I was about 500 meters away, heading back to the station to catch a train to Athens. Lucky me.


13th April 2010

City of History
Great blog about my lovely city:) If you want to explore more just visit; http://www.best-of-istanbul.com

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