Ok, so here’s the situation. One, it takes me forever to type these things, sacrificing my sleep and sanity. Two, you probably don’t want to read all of this nonsense anyway (hence the zero comments *cough cough*). Plan: write more concisely. Problem: I can’t write concisely. As anyone who reads my essays knows… Hmmm, a minor issue. Ok today shall be my attempt at my New Week’s Revolution (Monday counts as the start of a new week, right? European style?)

Summary:

Soooo, got it? Hmm, maybe that was a little too concise. Okay, I’ll elaborate a little more so that when I possibly reread this many years from now, I’m not like “WTF, mate?” (http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/end --> citing sources = good)

Topkapi Palace, the palace used by the Sultans of the Ottoman Empires, is quite a gorgeous place. It’s very widespread, with a many beautiful gardens, open spaces, and a *marvelous* view of the Marmara Sea. It also houses many famous religious relics including:

Topkapi Palace also has many priceless gems in its treasury, including an 84-carat diamond! Though, I was more concerned with the fact I was getting bowled over by 80 year old German women, who were all about 4 feet tall and equipped with deadly bony elbows.

Also, key note: as someone famous once said (I told you I’m horrible with names) “sacred is contagious”. Everything that ever TOUCHED something holy is now considered holy and is also housed in the sacred relics room. Including the water used to wash the relics and the condensation on the wall. Also, there was a castration room (ouch!), and we unfortunately didn’t get to go see the harem. Though after hearing about all the intrigue among the women in the imperial harem, I am tempted to go read Leslie Pierce’s The Imperial Harem, which is supposedly quite good. [Not an advertisement – just a online note of a book to add to my reading list]

We have lunch on a rooftop terrace. Very good food here in Turkey. I am a fan. We then head off to a mosque known as the Little Hagia Sophia (below), which is just like the big and famous Hagia Sophia, just a lot smaller. This too was a church(built in 542 AD!) that was converted into a mosque (circa 1453). What’s interesting is that this mosque is so old, it still has ancient Greek inscriptions carved into it. We also explore some of the local artist’s shops and I saw how mother-or-pearl is inlayed in wood to make beautiful boxes/earrings/etc. Sooo tempted to try. Hmmm, I wonder how much sheets of mother-of-pearl cost…

The next mosque we visit was made by Sinan, one of Omid’s man-crushes. The guy was super cool, I’ll give him that. Alas, I don’t have the time to go into his history, but if you want more info, check out this: http://www.turkishculture.org/architecture-403.htm. Anyway, once again, I can’t remember this mosque’s name, as I was distracted by the asshole caretaker glaring at us from the doorway. But very pretty, with gorgeous tile work inside.

Shoot shoot shoot. I’m exceeding the limit I set myself. Ok, summary. A couple of us head to the Grand Bazaar (a HUGE maze of shops, organized by districts, and has been in use for 500+ years), and Omid takes us to his friend’s shop. Said friend then takes us to another mutual friend’s pashmina shop, where we sit, talk, drink apple tea, discuss life and examine the various types of pashminas. Because I feel slightly obligated to support friends, even newly made, tentative ones, I do end up walking out with a new, brightly colored pashmina. Though I must say, it is very great quality and very beautiful.

We wander around a bit, and I finally find my pair of poofy pants that I have always loved. They are tan and kinda make me look like genie, but I think they are super cool, even if everyone else is laughing.

We end the night by a few of us trekking across the city to a cool little Turkish café, where we spend the evening chilling on beanbags outside, talking, and partaking in native activities. We were initially planning on attending a different cafe, but we were thwarted by The Stair of DEATH. But the cafe we went to was quite delightful, I must say. Interesting thing to note: there seems to be a very high guy to girl ratio in this city. And not because women don’t go out, not at all. Hmm, maybe it’s the contrast to UNC that makes it so obvious.

Oh and some brief snafus: one, my debit card doesn’t work over here. Even though I visited the bank several times and had them unblock it. Grr. Hopefully, this will be fixed soon because this will start presenting some minor problems shortly… and two, bought new camera batteries. They died half a day later. Inserted new batteries. Died 3 hours later. Ok, this might be an issue.

So current situation: no batteries = no pictures posted.

Al-lah-es-mehr-lah-deek! [phonetic rendition of the Turkish good-bye, which I learned today *pat on shoulder*]