Istanbul

Our trip to Turkey was memorable for several reasons. Istanbul was so unlike any other European city that I visited over the course of my semester abroad that it would be unjust to try to draw a comparison in typical travelers' qualifications. Traveling with my mother and sister — three American and Catholic women — in a country not known for its religious or sexual tolerance was both fascinating and at times frightening. We also made time for a Turkish bath, which yielded hilarious anecdotes not soon to be forgotten. Turkey was also the final country I saw before I returned to my host family in Tours and then my real family in the U.S., rounding out the list of new places I saw (which I have posted on the right sidebar for the few of you who may be interested). 

Neither the first nor the last murse sighting on our trip.

We conveniently arrived at the Blue Mosque just in time for their afternoon prayer — a Turkish experience not to be missed.

A yummy and colorful salad at a nearby café.

The Blue Mosque at sunset from our rooftop restaurant.

Somehow we managed to swallow down Turkish coffee, a very thick concoction that tastes similar to what I imagine tar would.

A view of the Golden Horn from our river cruise on the Bosphorous. 

Amazing architecture spotted from the boat. Unfortunately we had more than a little trouble deciphering the guide's explanations of what everything was!

The bridge that connects the Asian and European parts of Turkey.

A manmade "party island" in the center of the Bosphorous.

We just don't have that kind of architectural detail in America!

Murse numero dos on the river cruise.

The view from Pierre Loti Hill.

Evidence of far too much time spent looking at rugs in the Grand Bazaar.

Hagia Sofia at sunrise (damn those early flights).

The Blue Mosque at sunrise.