Pictures of Istanbul

After 3 packed days of touring, drinking, and a teeny bit o' shopping, Lance and I are already discussing when we would like to come back to Istanbul (perhaps for the last leg of our trip).  It's quite unlike any other city we have ever been to. It's huge and bustling with a great mix of traditional and modern. The people are extremely diverse in addition to being very welcoming and accommodating.  Here are some pictures of what we have seen. The pictures do the city far more justice than me rambling on.

Inside Aya Sofya completed in 537 AD. Was a Christian Church until 1453, when it was converted into a Mosque and in 1935 it was turned into a Museum.

                                                Inside the courtyard of the Blue Mosque.

                                                                 Inside of the Blue Mosque

 Amy inside the Blue Mosque.  Visitors were politely asked to remove footwear and cover their legs and shoulders.  Women were asked to cover their heads.

 Turkish Delight (Diet Killers!) Inside the Spice Bazaar.

 This is a shot at the Gulhane Park just outside the Topkapi Palace

 These little Corn on the Cob vendors are littered all Old Istanbul.  Unfortunately I (Lance) don't like corn. I have never wanted a Hot Dog so bad.........

Shot outside the Blue Mosque.

 Caught this loser on the street posing.

 This is the 17th Ave on Crack!  It's a great place to shop and shop and shop...................

                                                                    Shot inside Aya Sofya.

 This is a location outside at the base of the Blue Mosque where men wash their feet before heading inside for prayer.

                                                             A shot from outside Aya Sofya