Postcards to a city I love | Istanbul

I am so sad to hear about the latest terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey.  Of all the countries I have traveled, Turkey is the most fascinating in every way.  Just a few shots of the city I love. 

The Ruins of Ephesus | Turkey

The Turkish Rug

While visiting Ephesus, we visited a rug factory.  It was quite interesting to see the process from boiling the silk cocoons to spinning the threads.  The dyes are made from different herbs, flowers and grains and boiled over fire.  Such gorgeous colors.  And finally, the weaving.

Hagia Sophia | Istanbul

First a church, then a mosque, and now a museum.  In 1453 the church was converted into a mosque following the fall of Constantinople.  All of the alters and sacrificial vessels were removed and the mosaics depicting Jesus, Mary and others were either removed or plastered over.  In 1935 the mosque became a museum and since, many of the mosaics have been uncovered.  Restoration is still in progress as you can see the scaffolds in many of these photos.  
This is just another of the many sights in Istanbul that makes it, for me, one of the most magical and mystical places I have visited.

Scenes From A Restaurant | Nar, Istanbul

One of my favorite restaurants in Istanbul is Nar.  They serve over 50 different dishes a day and the meze, once again, was incredible.  We also had our first "pide," which is a type of Turkish pizza with a most unusual shape.

Nar Restaurant, Istanbul

The Blue Mosque | Istanbul

The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616.  It's name refers to the thousands of blue tiles on the ceilings of the domes.  It is really quite gorgeous.  The mosque is still a functioning mosque, even with all of the tourists visiting.  It actually closes 5 times a day for the call to prayer.  The first call is at sunrise and the last at sunset.  You can hear the call to prayer all over the city as each mosque has its own "muezzin."   A "muezzin" is a highly regarded person in that mosque that can deliver the prayer beautifully and loudly for all to hear through the microphones by the minarets, calling Muslims to come to the mosque and pray.  It is so incredibly beautiful to hear.  I will never forget it.   

The Markets | Istanbul

The Spice Market, the fish and vegetable markets in Kadikoy on the Asian side of Istanbul, and the candy stores selling the famous "Turkish Delight,"  the markets of Istanbul have it all.