the past doesn’t sleep... you can
hear Its whIsper throuGh the
wInds blowInG froM the straIt
to ancIent buIldInGs, froM the
larGe sQuares past the doMes
and stone walls of MosQues.
Go upstairs to the second floor for a wider look
at the mosque. From that position, you can also
see two beautiful rows of columns, the giant
central dome with sophisticated mosaic motifs,
and ceiling frescoes depicting holy scenes. These
frescoes and other features of Christianity were
removed or obscured when the Ottoman Empire
converted the church into a mosque. It remained
a mosque until 1931 until it was re-opened in 1935
as a museum by the Republic of Turkey. Hagia
Sophia is now home to many valuable art works.
I couldn’t help but feel reflective while standing
beneath the marble columns and thinking of the
empires, conflicts, and battles of the past.
KeBAB, COFFee, wANdeRINg
ANd SHOPPINg
There are hundreds of interesting things in
Istanbul that I wish to experience. I spent my little
time strolling down some streets and wandering
along subtly sloped lanes, guessing into and
searching for their architectural riddles. When
the burden of my camera became too heavy to
bear and my feet were unable to walk anymore,
I stopped at a beautiful cafä at the corner of a
lane. Charming boys and girls were relaxing to
enjoy their ice-cream and pastries. I occasionally
entered in a shop, gazed at some unique souvenirs
to add to my “travel collection”. There is an array
of things to buy yet I had already spent most of
my money on old postcards, old stamps, and
landscape paintings of Istanbul’s past.
You might be wondering what the most vexing
part of my journey to Istanbul was. That would
be the kebabs - the famed Turkish wrap. It took
me lots of time to decide which type of kebab
to order as there are dozens of kebabs served at
a traditional restaurant. And upon choosing, I
regretted not choosing others.
Choosing is always difficult when we are
surrounded by so many attractive options!