Fabulous Day One

Today was an amazing day filled with activity, as I had a hired a personal guide, a friend of a friend of a friend.  Guzin taught me the public transportation, including a minibus, a tram, a funicular, two ferries and the metro.  Will I remember it?  That is yet to be seen.

I am having a terrible time with the internet in my room, so I will try again in the morning.  This photo took over an hour to upload, so... see you in the morning.

This is the Blue Mosque - the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.  It was built from 1609 to 1616, and has one main dome, eight secondary domes,  and six minarets.  We did not go in.  For one thing the call to prayer happened while we were there, (a call to prayer - a chant- occurs 5 times a day and is quite something to hear) and we could not enter during a Muslim prayer time, and also I will go in the various buildings on my own, without Guzin.

It was gorgeously sunny and HOT - in the 80's and humid.  But we had an absolutely amazing day - I can't imagine day one going better.

More pictures and stories soon.  Good night!