Istanbul

Hi there - I wanted to post some photos of our trip to Istanbul this past summer.  We went there on the way to France, and it was an amazing 3 days.  I have to say I was a bit overwhelmed the first day - it's very crowded and busy.  But by the time I left, I wanted to go back.  We stayed with a friend who showed us the city and even had a big party while we were there so we could meet his friends.  We met people from everywhere - mostly ex-pats living in and loving Turkey.  Enjoy the photos!  Lily.

Me the photojournalist : ) taken by my husband!

Some scarved ladies waiting to get into Topkapi palace-so pretty!

The blue mosque

All covered up at the blue mosque - even the men had to cover their legs!

The Grand Bazaar - 4500 shops!  We bought ceramics and looked at all the spices and Turkish food!

Ceramics

More beautiful ceramics

Spices!

Turkish Delight - in more flavors than I knew existed!

Scarved woman buying treats

Me and the hubby and a new friend who we met in Turkey

Dolmabahce Palace

A woman I met on our boat ride who was living in Ghana - she told me all about the different types of scarves!

Another shot of Aya Sofya mosque

We visited Topkapi Palace and following are a bunch of photos of the beautifully detailed tile work, doors and windows.  Topkapi was the residence of the Sultans for 400 years.  I'm thinking that one of these patterns could be used to make a quilt!

This even looks like a quilt!

 

Cool drummer in a band at Topkapi