We woke at 9 and got the FREE breakfast. I am telling you what... they do it well here. It was a buffet with many many choices of jams and fruit and wait for it... A HONEYCOMB. It was bizarre. We ventured out and walked to the Aya Sofia for our first attraction of the day. It was really cool inside but I am going to be honest and say money is tight so we opted out of the Audio Guide and didn't learn a single thing about the building except for the creation which really isn't enough to do it justice. Apologies to historians worldwide. We were hoping to go to the Blue Mosque next but it was closed for prayer time, so we jumped over to the Basilica Cistern. It may be hard for you to believe but this one was my favorite. It was huge with over 335 columns supporting the structure. The beauty was magnified in the dark pools of cool water spread through the entire thing. The low lit room was vast and oddly quiet for the amount of peoplw who were in there. At the Northwest corner were two columns with Medusa heads carved into the base. One was upside down and the other was sideways. It is said that the architect did this on purpose. The mythology associated with Constantinople is by far my main reason in wanting to visit this place, and therefore my favorite part about the sites. After we finished here we went back to the Blue Mosque. My lanta is this place a thing of beauty. It was huge while at the same time being small and cozy. The mosaic work is like something you have never seen. It was imperfect and therefore perfect. The light was reflected beautifully. The carpet was lush and inviting and every column had a gorgeous marble washing fountain. The details make this town the beauty that it is. The landscape details, the architectural details, the asthetic details. The list goes on.
As we were leaving there was a young man laying under the shade of a tree and he called to us to tell us that he thought we were "so sexy and so funny." I am honored. He never even heard a joke and he thinks I am funny. #Swoon
We headed to the Grand Bazaar next to make a full day out of it. Michelle stopped in to get Turkish Delight somewhere. I honestly thought I would hate it but as the man was feeding it me (yes, feeding me. He wouldn't have it any other way) I realized I love it! She got her box and we moved on into the market. First stop, rug store. Do we want some tea? Juice? Nothing? You don't even have to buy anything to get these drinks. I love tea but I declined. The rugs were amazing and gorgeous and hand done. They oozed quality and originality. I wanted one. Badly. I will when I am furnishing a house. So I opted instead for a handmade pillow cover. Its gorgeous and perfect for my style and the apartment I have designed in my head. Thats a real thing- the decorator in me is begging for my own canvas.
I stepped across the way to purchase these cool handpainted bowls to accompany the handcarved box I got in Romania. So wordly this apartment will be.
We meandered through the market stopping in some places. Everyone is so kind- mostly because they want you to buy something but also because they are so happy to have visitors and meet new people. A boy (I mean boy) asked for Katelyn's Whatsapp so that he could talk to her. He was in love. She is quite exotic here with her light hair and blue eyes. Next stop: scarf shop. Home of the ever handsome and ever charming Turkish boys who loved us as well as a sale. He was massaging my shoulders and tying scarves in crazy ways around my neck. Compliments were flying rampant and prices were coming down lower and lower. Katelyn got a great deal and Michelle had already purchased her scarf, but I was left and they weren't going to drop it. I don't need a scarf. I don't wear them. I don't have a use for things like this in Alabama. But still they pushed on and it was clear I wasn't getting out until I bought one. He wanted 200 lira, I walked at 50. You're welcome Jordan; I hope you like it. but don't worry he also got my number so he could take us to the disco- As if.
Stumbled home poor and sweaty to find the comfort of the down pillows and cool satin sheets. Katelyn and I rested until tea time and then went down for some afternoon snacks (aka lunch at 5 pm) and then napped until dinner. We went right around the corner and I had a traditional turkish meal called "Sultan's Delight" which was delicious. For dessert we bopped into a Turkish Delight shop and bought a few cubes for our pleasure. Good day.
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