Susie in Lithuania

Friendly Turks

We found the people in Istanbuld to be very kind and helpful. They were very proud of their country and wanted to share their culture with you. The also were looking to make a sale! :)

This kind shopkeeper offered us some apple tea as we shopped in his store one morning. Bethany bought a lovely ink drawing of the whirling dervishes and Amanda bought some scarves. I just drank the tea and enjoyed all the beautiful items in the store.

A flower made from a napkin that a Turkish admirer made for me. :)

This is our "Charlie's Angels" pose that we did in to help us remember the friendly shopkeeper that called us "Charlie's Angels" when we were walking the streets of Istanbul one afternoon! :)

And a look from the European side...

We took photos on Tuesday night of us on the Asian side, so we diecided that we should get some from the European side as well. Here you go!

Looking at Asia

Me! You can see the Galata Tower off in the distance!

Bethany, me, and Amanda

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque was lovely. We enjoyed being able to view it between prayer times on Wednesday. Here are some photos that don't do the beauty justice!

The interior of a dome

Another lovely dome

There was a lot of natural light.

There was a lot of artifical light as well!

There were no chairs or pews because they kneel on the floor to pray.

It just looks so different to me not to have anyplaces to sit.

Tiles on one of the archways

Covering our heads out of respect

The front of the room

My fun travelling companions!

This was the first trip I have taken with Amanda or Bethany. I was hopeful that we would travel well together and we did! Here are a couple funny photos from our trip. :)

Hotel Agan - "Feel Yourself at Home"

We got a chuckle out of this poorly translated sign each time we got in the elevator!

Amanda giving me the Turkish eyes!

Apple Tea at Ozler

The hosts at the restaurants could be a bit persistant as we walked by their restaurants...especially the ones at the place across the street from us. Tuesday evenign the host started chatting us up a bit and I, being a little tired from the long day, got a little feisty and reminded him that we had eaten there the night prior. He then amde a big to-do about how he was just talking to us, not trying to get us to come in. I apolgized for snapping at him and then went on up the hill to do some more shopping. When we came back down the hill he invited us in for some apple tea...on the house. We got to sit in one of the rooms filled with the big comfy cushions and low tables. It was fun and the apple tea was delicious! :)

Bethany

Me & Amanda with our tea

Group shot!

Another beautiful lantern! :)

Going to Asia

Istanbul is the only city in the world that is on two continents - both Europe and Asia. Tuesday evening we walked across the Galata bridge to get to the Asian side of the city. Here are some photos of what we saw...