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28th May,
Rain rain go away... Headed out for the blue mosque this morning in the hope that been a Monday and raining there will be less tourists. I think I was right as it was fairly quiet a couple of small groups. the outside of the building is beautiful to look at and the inside only gets better. There are six large minarets and a large central dome supported by several smaller domes. The courtyard is the same size as the mosque with a small fountain in the middle. Was lucky that while taking my shoes found an English speaking giving a tour to some other people so walked with them for a while listening, but was just as good to stand on the inside and take it all in. The walls are covered with painted tiles the ceilings with detailed work. The internal columns have a very large diameter in order to support the weight of the domed roof.
Exited out onto the hippodrome with the Egyptian obelisk and column of Constantine porphyogenitus. Didn't spend long here are not a lot to see, it was raining and am going to Greece so am sure there will be plenty more ancient wonders in store. Walked possibly a back way to the SS Sergius and Bacchus Church. Am not sure what is going with my map reading / sense of direction but I made there all be it fro m a different way to the other tourists. I seem to be using the gps to get my way out of whatever strange street I am wondering along. The church is often referred to as the little Haghia Sofia was built in 527 AD was converted into a mosque as it remains today. Inside there are impressive marble columns. Was to be impressive with the inside having just walked from the blue mosque which was speculator detail and colour.
Walked to the Sokollu Mehmet pasa mosque but was only able to see the outside as a pray or maybe reading group was taking place inside. Can't remember where I through I was heading but ended up at Constantines Column. It was built in 330AD. It started to raining really heavy so headed for something to look at under cover. Been monday the museums are closed so Basilica cistern. Passed by the tomb of sultan Mahmut 2nd. But was closed so just saw the outside of the stone octagonal structure. Took a quick look at the million stone. The reference point from which distances were measured during byzantine rule. Entered into the cistern. It is a pretty amazing structure. Building around 500 it was enormous. Hundreds of columns hold up the roof. Water entered into the cistern via the valens aqueduct. There are also two medusa head at the base of two of the colums. One upside down the other on it's side. Was surprised to see all the fish that were living in the water. Guessed that different renovations and repairs have occurred as some columns were very different with pattern and top and feet not matching.
Upon exit the rain had stopped :) walked to the grand bazaar to see what specials prices and deals I could get today.... Didn't find any anything of much interest. Even in there I still feel like a lot of it is cheap and poor quality imported goods , but was a good day as it was quieter and less people.
Decided to go walking in search of church of st Theodore. Walked to wear I thought it should have been but couldn't see anything and wasn't that keen to go exploring that far as the neighborhood was giving bad vibes so headed out to a more main road and reached the Valen aqueducts. There is around 600m of the 1500 year old structure remaining. Is cool to see how the road builder have made use of the distance between the arches as the width of a lane of traffic.
Walked to the Prince's mosque and was able to look inside. It has unusual semi circles on the inside and some very nice stained glass windows.
Walked along a main shopping area that seem to specialize in curtains and linen. I have noticed that in one area you will get a mass grouping of one particular shop genre. Around the hotel there are heaps of store with cameras.
Passed into the Tulip Mosque. Walked into the courtyard and was looking around when a local starting to talking to me about the mosque. He told me that it was next not to enter the mosque as they were currently doing a reading and wouldn't like tourists interpreting. Was grateful for this advise but felt a bit bad that at the start I was a little rude as I thought he was trying to angle for a guide job. It can be hard because I feel like I have to be on guard all the time here and keep up a defenses against the men here. That was another little detour early in the day, I noticed a Landry sign so thought I would see what it was. Went in and the guy was gross. I asked the prices and he was trying to put is arms around me and hold me. Couldn't get out of there fast enough.
Anyway after having enjoyed the outside of the tulip mosque followed the tram line back toward the hotel. Detoured to another Landry sign and there was a helpfully lady inside how will wash and dry clothes in 3 hours.
Wondered back to hotel for a bit. It stopped raining so thought it was be nice to head out to the waters edge and sit and watch the boats on the water. Brought some what I think is freshly roasted chestnuts to take as a snack. Walked and was enjoying very much sitting watching the men fish and the dozen of different boats on the harbour. There was the smaller personal ones, passenger ferries and then large industrial ones I assume heading to the black sea, they were constanting coming along. As soon as one of these large container or cargo shipped passed another was right here. No cruise ships today. It seemed that they got really close to the other smaller boats due to craziness of boats moving all over the place. Was all good enjoying it all and relaxing after a long day walking but then a couple of young guys sit right close to me on the rocks and are been gross so I move away closer to some korean tourists group and thankfully they didn't follow but contained staring. Then the Koreans were leaving so decided to cut short was rest and walked with the group back towards my hotel. Went via some shops and thankfully they werent full of pushy sales people because I have had enough of that today. Was able to wondering around looking at what is for sale.
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