Here is a quick run through of the day in pictures. We started out in the classroom with a great presentation on the rise and decline of the Ottoman Empire. Then we heard a talk on why the Ottoman Empire has been so victimized by the western world. Both were fascinating.

Time to travel! We headed north and across the Golden Horn to the “newer” part of Istanbul. As our bus traveled, we passed three large universities and a wall across from one of the old palaces now used by Prime Minister Erdogan for State visitors and such. Just to upset him, people had posted various pictures on the walls of Ataturk, the man that made Turkey a secular country. Next we visited a museum with antiquities from every period of Turkish history. Fun fact – Someone said there are more Greek ruins in Turkey than there are Greece! Next up, boat ride down the Bosporus strait. The palaces and villas were spectacular on both sides, Europe and Asia. Then it was time to eat yet again. I am going to get tooooo fat here! My only saving grace is the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and the walking. As I sat eating dinner, I had a view of the New Mosque that is 400 years old. Not so new after all! As I waddled out of the restaurant, we decided to walk to the Blue mosque for a view of the welcome sign. When we drove past it on the way back, families were waiting for the sun to go down so they could break their fast and have their picnic dinners on the park lawn. Next stop, the craft market next door where artists were demonstrating and selling their art. Finally, a picture of the Obelisk of Theodosius, which was, in the tradition of Napoleon, stolen from Egypt by a Byzantine emperor to post at the Hippodrome.

And so ends my very busy day!