Monday, May 20
What a day! Started with a great breakfast buffet in our hotel resturant, lunch in Sultan Ahmet square, and ended with a delious dinner in a beatuful resturant in downtown Istanbul. And that's just the food excursion part. So what was in between you wonder?
1. A grand tour of the breath taking Topkapi Palace
2. The amazingly beautiful Blue Mosque
3. The Hippodrom Square
4. A boat trip on the Bosphorus
Our guide on these four sites provided us with a plethora of information that expanded our knowledge of Ottoman history to new horizons. He also made every step we took and every site we saw, interesting and fun. Never a dull moment. During our tour Eleanor ( our designated photographer) took tons of pictures ( pics will be posted once we come back), but that did not stop other members of our group from taking their own pictures too.
Despite the hot weather and the constant walking, laughter, smiles, and great engaging conversation continued to thrive among the members of the group. Topics ranged from those on Turkish politics, culture, to fashion; even the high price a street vender was charging for 3 small pieces of water melon.
During our visit in the Hippodrom, Nancy disappeared for a few minutes. Where did Nancy go we asked, she's always following the group. Aha, smart Nancy we find out had discovered this little shop tucked in a corner where you could dress up in Ottoman glamour clothing from the grand old era ; and have your picture taken . As she told us her little secret giggling with excitement for daring herself, making us all laugh knowing what a smart move it was. And we actually thought for a second that she might be lost... Hahaha.. Good one Nancy!
More fun moments occured when more than half our group invaded a pharmacy trying to help Jawad find a container for his contact lens. The store was so small but cool, while the hot sun outside was in its glory. It was obivous the pharmacist was not amused when she realized that the rest of us where not actually in there looking to buy something... Hahaha.. Good one guys, we 're lucky we were not kicked out!
Now comes Eleanor, who broke her inexpensive shades, and was soon in the market for a new one. Chris ( my great student; aka Socrates) conviences Eleanor to buy a knock off Ray Ban, but when the street vender charges, again too high a price for what Chris is offering him, the man walks away quiet annoyed. The good news however, Eleanor still manages to stop at a store with MaryEllen during the time while everyone was literally running in the streets of Istanbul trying to reach the docks in time to board the boat taking us on our trip throughout the Bosphorus.
Ok, looks like you get the picture! I could go on and on about many more hilarious moments during this day, but hey, I'll leave some to your imagination. Bottom line; Istanbul is a fabulous city that brings so much joy into people's lives, while infusing a feeling of pure happeness!
I don't know about you... But I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. A hint.... It involves, a politician, a reporter, a group of business men, and a writer. Can you guess? If not, you're going to have to wait until tomorrow.
Dr. Sherbini
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