Istanbul, Turkey

We went to Turkey in May. It was great--much different from the mainstream European countries. The weather was great and the people were very nice--especially when they wanted to sell you Turkish rugs.

So we'll start it off with this picture. We were visiting a mosque--where all the Muslims go to pray and worship. I had to cover my head and also cover my legs. This color suits me, eh?
Within the mosque, there was a women's section for when they go to pray. Since we were just visiting, I didn't have to go in there.

This is a pic of the Mosque inside. This is the Blue Mosque.
This is the Aya Sofya, one of the architectural marvels of the world (according to our guide book). :) Inside the Sofya.
Inside the Sofya.
Wes next to one of the outside bazaars.

This is the entrance to the famous Grand Bazaar. One of the world's largest covered Bazaars. They sell all kinds of things--we picked up some interesting spices.Inside the bazaar. Look at all the beautiful spices, beans and lentils.
Out on the streets of Turkey.
The Muslims pray 5 times a day. We past a Mosque on the way to lunch and saw them preparing for prayer. They must wash their face, hands and feet before they pray.

It's very cool to watch. They have speakers all throughout the city so everyone hears the same prayer. Here they are starting their prayer.

Here they are bowing down while they pray.

And then here I am eating corn on the cob in the middle of the street. :)

This is a picture of the lounge inside a Turkish bath. It was Wessel's birthday this day. I really wanted to go to a traditional Turkish bath--and so, I made him go with me. I told him he'd love it!! (not really knowing what to expect) :). I couldn't take a lot of pictures while we were in there--b/c basically everyone is half-naked. But I can tell you (as I've told some of you already), that the men go into one area and the women go into another. You basically go in these huge room with a big tiled slab in the middle and old-fashioned facets on the side. You are supposed to be almost completely naked, as everyone else was, but I went in with my bathing suit on. And they basically rinse, soap ya up, and scrub you down. You also get a 20 minute massage. During my scrubbing session, this completely naked lady came up to me and sat next to me and asked if I was having a great time--she heard me talk and could tell I was from the U.S. as was she. I was just looking straight ahead. Not very comfortable being scrubbed down my a half-naked huge woman while talking to a completely naked woman. I came out of there a different woman. Once I met Wes back in the lounge area, I was in shock--not really saying much, in a daze actually. Wes was completely fine--almost whistling. I learned his experience was much different! It was a little more conservative and professional. Yes, the men wash the men, but they are pretty much fully clothed--and there is no nakedness involved. Anyhow, it's an old tradition--mostly for the men--who would go in there about once a week back in the day when they didn't have running water in their homes--and get washed!!

Wessel reminiscing after his Turkish bath. :) jk.

We took a boat over to the other side. This water passage is the divide between Europe and Asia! We were on the Asia side for about 15 minutes and headed back to Turkey--just so we can say we've been to Asia. haha. jk.