It is amazing how much a city can shine when the light is just right. It was a good day for Istanbul. Rebecca and I chose today to be the day when we would venture out on the much-anticipated Bosphorus Cruise. While we had originally planned to take the ferry that stops at multiple locations on both the European and Asian sides of Turkey, we ended up on the boat that just went up the Bosphorus and then came back.....no stops. This turned out to be a completely adequate option for we both took some nice pictures (the light was absolutely perfect) and had a very relaxing afternoon among Turks and foreigners alike. Lasting just an hour and a half, we decided to stretch out our day and hit "The Blue Mosque." We had only seen it from the outside and today was the day that we would take off our shoes and wear those scarves on our heads with pride. After waiting an hour or so until the "prayer time" was finished, we entered into what has now become my favorite part of Istanbul. The lights, the blue tiles, the stained-glass windows.....just incredible. The mosque itself was separated into a section for visitors, and two separate sections for those praying (center of the mosque for men, outskirts for the women). I just loved being in a place that is still used today for its original purpose. Added bonus: When we walked out of the mosque, the light on Hagia Sofia was absolutely incredible. Props to the light. Props to the light.
On the docket for tomorrow: TopKapı PalAce.
Oh, and a word to the wise--Never visit Eminönü if you do not have to. The pit of hell.
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Hahahaha, I love the disclaimer at the end!
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