It looks like Tim had a pretty nice day!

Wrapping Up...

Friday night meant that it was almost time to go, and the group celebrated a successful experience with a special dinner at the Orient House, a dinner & showplace for "traditional" Turkish music and dance. We were treated to song, dance, and some cheesy EmCing, but it was the belly-dancing that made the evening. There was even a contest for those customers unfortunate enough to sit close to the stage. You'll notice that those pictures are not here!

Saturday meant a free day for most, and some time to sleep off a serious case of food poisoning for me. While most of the group is heading back home Sunday morning, I've decided to stick around for a few days, because... Mr. Ferlito has come to Istanbul! It's time to check out a few more of the sights and show off some of my newfound knowledge.

Princes' Island

This day trip was a real treat. We took the public ferry across the Bosphorous to a set of islands known as the Princes' Islands because young princes considered disloyal or a threat to the throne were sent there in exile. If the islands then were anything like they are now, then I'd say it was a pretty sweet gig. They have become little resort destinations, with quaint streets and touristy shopping, and on which many an Istanbuler has a retreat home. I'd like to look for property here, but the commute would kill me.

We went to the very top of the island to visit a church and have lunch, but not before earning it with a serious climb. But the best part was riding through town in the horse-driven carriage. It was a lovely way to see the island, especially the foliage like the incredible Bouganvillea. How gorgeous!

There's a tradition here: to buy a charm at the bottom of the climbing path. If you make it to the top, you may make a wish, and if the wish comes true, then you have to bring it back to the church. If you can't bring it back yourself, then throw it in the sea so the ocean can return it for you. You can buy a charm for all sorts of wishes: love, money, health, a car, power, and so on. What do you think I wished for?

Topkapi Palace

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? :)

Shopping for Spices along the Silk Road

If this first picture doesn't make you want to sing "feed the birds," then I don't know what to say to you.











How wonderful is this? The Spice Bazaar was originally called the Egyptian Bazaar because it was a place for Egyptian traders to do business when coming to Istanbul, and it still exists today... not only for spices and dried goods, but for the tourist trade (evil eyes and pashminas abound). And look - this one shop has an endorsement from Obama! (Not really, but it did get my attention, and 30 liras later, I was another American victim of great marketing). Next follows some pictures of Dolmabahce Palace from the water (see Kerry and me?), which dates from the 19th century and follows a western-European, Rococo/Baroque style of decor. Then it was on the the Grand Bazaar - which is truly grand, with somewhere between 5-6,000 shops under one roof! Move over, Congel!

This picture here is an example of right time-right place. These are college students protesting a %50 hike in their tuition for public schools. Ouch. They went right past our hotel and then staged a sit-in on the pedestrian street, blocking foot traffic and the tram. I gave them our full support!