Topkapi Palace just might be my favorite stop in Istanbul. It's a beautiful example of the Ottoman Empire, being the home to the Sultans for 400 years. The biggest treat? We saw the Janissary band perform when we got there!The design and tile work is similar to the Blue Mosque (see the other post), and definitely represents the eastern feel to the city of Istanbul, as opposed to Dolmabahce Palace, which was purposefully designed to look European. The highlights of a tour at Topkapi? The library with its gorgeous inlaid wood panels of mother-of-pearl and mahogany; the royal treasury (not a place to store bonds, but an actual treasure trove with an 86-carat diamond - sorry, no pictures!); and the royal circumcision room. Yup, you read that right. That's a lesson for another day! :)
And how else to finish off the day? More shopping! Kerry was interested in buying fabric with a particular design, so it was off to another bazaar. Just to make everyone jealous - one of my colleagues on the trip was given grant money to purchase artifacts for her school, so she's heading back with costume pieces, musical instruments, posters, books, and more. Can you imagine? What do you think, Mr. Roscoe - want to wire me an allowance? :)
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