We began yesterday by touring part of the old city of Istanbul. Our first stop was Topkapi Palace, the home of the Sultans built in 1480. On display was a 84 carat diamond that was beautiful and the dagger used in the 1940s film Topkapi. Also, there was a collection of imperial clothing that oddly resembled Japanese Kimonos. We toured the harem where we learned about the three categories of women housed, favorites (ages 13-17), concubines (ages 17-25), and after age 25 there were the retired women that stayed on as servants. I felt very old; getting past my prime I suppose. Within the harem there was fierce competition to secure the Sultan appointment for your son. One woman killed 18 other boys in order for her son to become Sultan...
Our next stop was the Haya Sophia. Although under a lot of construction, it is still absolutely breathtaking!! It is such a wonder to see Christian and Islamic symbols together. It is hard to imagine the entire ceiling covered with mosaics at first, since they are now covered with Islamic Frescoes. While touring a local man asked if any of us had a Sony camera. His had broken previously so he just wanted to take a picture on his family in the Haya Sofia. I got to help him out!! It was really exciting and his son was absolutely adorable!!!
We also toured the Sultanahmet Cami (the Blue Mosque), where we were able to see a few locals praying since it is Ramadan this month. The square outside the mosque is an area that especially on Saturdays is a gathering place for Iftar (the daily breaking of the fast of Ramadan). The square became extremely busy as it approached sundown, but as the evening call to prayer began a silence fell over the crowd and even after people began to eat, the noise was much more diminished; a complete change in atmosphere.
After we walked around the old city enjoying the festive atmosphere of Iftar (think State Fair, except much more busy and sans food on a stick). Barbara and Bruce decided that it would be okay for us to attend Mosque at the Sultanahmet Cami and we snuck in with the locals to join the Saturday night prayer (about an hour). Although it was obvious that we were out of place, a few of the local women welcomed us and showed us how to participate in the service. It was incredible to witness prayer, something so personal, and also so community oriented because it is done in unison. The prayer was also extremely physical, a definite workout. I was really sweaty and hot afterwards, and a bit sore. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced and very moving to see how to participate in another kind of worship.
The taxi drive home was an experience in itself. I was pretty certain that I was going to die and we stopped abruptly and maneuvered into impossible spaces. Also, lanes do not seem to matter in Turkey. But we arrived successfully back at the Superdorm in one piece thankfully.
Today in Turkish Class we began to learn verbs. Ridiculous. Binnaz is an incredible instructor, however she expects us to memorize things as soon as she says them. This expectation combined with tiredness caused some hilarious moments today. Hopefully the test goes well in a few days.
Iyi geceler
