Istanbul #2

Forgot a few things from yesterday. We saw in the Hagia Sophia huge columns supporting the roof. These were all recycled. Many buildings over the centuries have collapsed due to earthquakes, leaving these columns standing. Another place which recycled them was the cistern. This place is huge and used to be filled to the top with water. So, when they used the recycled stuff, they didn't bother with what it would look like. The columns had different bottoms and tops and in one area there were two bases with Medusa carved in them. One was upside down and the other sideways. This cistern was abandoned for years until some smart city official figured out that they could make big bucks charging for tourists to look at it all.

The breakfast spread is enormous but has some interesting differences: halvah, Turkish delight and honeycombs.

Our sleep patterns are normal. I slept 9 hours the first night so no jet lag.

Interesting things which I've noted in my travels: the more expensive hotels charge for internet and the cheaper ones don't.

Windy this morning. Hard rain in the nite. We are told they often get a spell of this weather after the summer then Oct. can be beautiful. Forecast for tomorrow is for mostly sunny. Today the wind was so strong they cancelled our boat tour of the Bosphorus.

This morning we toured the Topkapi Palace which was used by many Sultans for 400 years. This was during the Ottoman empire which ended in 1914. We toured the harem quarters. Interesting fact: the concubines were from 8 to 14 years old and they were there to get an education. After 14 they could marry (would be to royalty, someone high up in the military or government) or they could stay and work, teach, etc. They were never even seen by the Sultan and were virgins until they married. We all had the idea it was otherwise. The Sultan's mother ruled the household and his wives fought over who would be the mother of the next Sultan. Eunochs guarded the harem. There were 684 rooms in the palace -- simple small rooms (easier to heat).

Speaking of heat: they rarely get snow in Istanbul and it goes down to about 7 or so in the winter.

In another area of the palace we saw the magnificent gifts given to various Sultans eg. gem encrusted swords, crowns, boxes, and even thrones. Saw the world's largest diamond-- 87 carats.

In the afternoon we were driven to the Spice Market which I found more interesting than the huge Grand Bazaar was yesterday. Bought some genuine Turkish delight -- at our guide's favorite booth. I had bought some yesterday made with sugar and cheaper. The good stuff is made with honey.

That was the end of our day. Lots of wind with some rain. The street vendors sell umbrellas which are so cheap they blow inside out right away. Saw many abandoned ones by the sidewalk.

See lots of cats around -- no owners. And today I saw some dogs which are also strays. Rare to see dogs on leashes.

Traffic is horrendous. Driving here as a foreigner would be a nightmare.They don't seem to worry about lanes and all juggle for one small space. Amazingly the cars appear intact.

Tomorrow we move north by bus to Bulgaria.