We had breakfast at the Pizza Restaurant/Hotel. The bus for Istanbul was scheduled to leave at 9 A.M. We hiked down the hill through the field to the university entrance. We were told the bus would leave at 11 A.M. We both waited awhile. Than I decided to walk back to our room, and do some work on the computer. Awhile later Robert shows up saying that our watches are set an hour slow and the bus has left. However, there is another bus at 12:15 P.M. which will take us much closer to where we want to go.
After an hour plus drive, we arrive at the drop off. Robert started asking people if they spoke English. He found two people to help us. One of them was actually a student at the university near where we were staying in Sile, Turkey. He took us on the subway to a square where we could take the university bus back to Sile that night. Than he instructed us on how to take a cab to Hagia Sohpie and return to the square. The student is planning on attending the University of Pennsylvania. He said that many of his friends have studied there. He wants to study business and learn the stock market. (Such a coincidence. My university stock market and investments professor, who became my mentor in life, was also from Istanbul, Turkey.)
Hagia Sophia is the most famous landmark in Turkey. There was first a church at its location in 360 A.D. The present main structure was completed between 532 and 537 A.D. It was a Christian church until 1453 when the Ottoman Turks captured the city and made it a mosque. In 1935, it was opened to the public as a museum. There have been additions to the building to reinforce its integrity. The building has survived several earthquakes during its history.
With rented audio guide recording devices, Robert and I eagerly began our tour. Many of the outer buildings are now resting places for past rulers and their family members. The main structure inside is unchanged for the most part. It is massive on the inside with the audio tour having approximately 50 separate segments pointing out the details. Some of the painted and mosaic tiled features were erased or removed by the Muslims during its tenure as a mosque. However, much of the upper work remains in place as it was evidently too high to easily reach. A very worthwhile place to visit if you ever have a chance.
We returned to the designated square and waited for our bus. Many people come to this square and it center monument. It appeared that it was also a favorite place for demonstrations, etc. More police kept arriving with their lights flashing. Even a TV crew showed up, but it must have been rumor night or something as it was quieting down attendance-wise as night set in and we road back to our own Taj Mahal.
Match the Captions With The Photos:
-The Golden Arches East
-Make A Wish
-One of Many
-Weekend Project
-Anybody Home
-The Eternal Campground
-Patriarch of Robert's Church
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