Part 4: Two to travel Turkey

ISTANBUL/ TURKEY

This destination would mark the 5th where my good friend Barry has shared a travel experience with me in some far off land. To do so, I had traveled to Istanbul from Croatia briefly stopping in Sarajevo/ Bosnia ( ps - it's much cheaper to bus from Croatia and then fly out of Sarajevo) before meeting up at an Air BnB he had thoughtfully arranged. Most importantly, he had the necessary/critical provisions already purchased. Those being coffee and Single Malt Scotch.

 

 

 Three months prior, I had started a couple diploma courses. First the Byzantine Empire and just after -- the Ottoman Empire. And some time ago - I had completed a diploma on Middle East history (Arabic Islamic History: From tribes to Empires) so armed now with just enough information to be dangerous, Barry and I set upon the city to explore Religious sites, Museums and of course food. 

Given my previous travels in places like Tunisia and Saudi Arabia - Constantinople (Istanbul) is a fantastic collision of cultures on which much of our modern world is premised. Like a collision between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, it is both tragic and beautiful all at once.

 Istanbul is a swirling and twirling tornado of unusual smells sounds and of course people. We were amazed to see the streets filled with people late into the evening. The picture along side is not Istanbul but taken later in a "must see" salty landscape. I'd recommend giving this "must see" $30 attraction a hard pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now onto the juicy bits of Istanbul. There were 5 days of exploring but for posterity and the hope of others continuing to read my drivel, I'll  focus on just three highlights

• The National Museum
• The Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia

A quick review of the cradle of civilization lands us smack dab in the middle of this region. Not surprisingly the museum was cooler than the flip side of the pillow on a hot summer night. I'll share a few snaps but I marveled at the audacity of Tabnit, priest of Astarte and King of Sidon who cleverly wrote on his Sarcophagus that there was no point in breaking in as there was nothing to steal. That and the clearly articulated threat of eternal damnation likely did the trick. I'm going to post the same on my front door. Good thinking Tabnit. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

 

 

 

The Sarcophagus below was my favorite piece. The level of detail of mourning woman was amazing. The other side depicts men going to war looking even slightly more mournful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Thanks for reading....Layno in ruins somewhere in southern Turkey!!!