Justinian Cistern

Isa began our tour of Istanbul with Justinian’s Cistern, a magical place hidden under the streets of the city. He told us there are many cisterns under
Istanbul, but the Moslems never used them because they use only running water.

Medussa

Columns were pillaged from nearby sites and used here in Justinian’s Cistern. This head of Medussa was casually used to support one of the hundreds of columns in the cistern.

It was near this Medussa-supported column that I made my second of three wishes in Turkey. The first was when I landed 50 kurush on the column in the cistern at the acropolis of Pergamon. For this second wish, I placed my left thumb in a hole worn into a column and
rotated my hand 360 degrees, thereby earning my wish be granted. It sounds easy but is difficult to accomplish! The third wish was made at a similar column in Aya Sophia, the only wishing place I remembered from the time I lived in Turkey.

We entered into the bright hot sun from the cool depths of the cistern and walked through the Hippodrome. Isa told us of the popular chariot races
that took place here. Notice the old Turkish style house in the upper right. This is a highly prized location.

L-R: Hilary Von Buskirk (Straub) 65; Jon Genens;Vanessa Joseph (Genens) 67; Susie Holecheck; Brian Heyboer 74; Dennis Funchess 59; Barb Scott; Mac Funchess; Mark Fortune 65; Wendi Crabill (Felson) 67; Steve Suber 68; Leslie Fletcher; Bob Fletcher 63

Young men were selling bottled water, tour books and postcards. I bought a book of postcards for 1 Yeni Turkish Lira. I had just put the change in my wallet when one of them jammed a tour book on top of my hands and said, "Free!" He held the book thumb up. I clamped my wallet with my fingers and held on tight as he pushed it down. I looked him in the eye and said, Yok, tesekkur!” and he gave up. With his fingers hidden from my sight, he had managed to partially work out a 50 lira note. But he didn’t get it, thanks to Isa’s warnings about the thriving culture of pickpockets in Istanbul.

Hippodrome Obelisk

Can you see the bird perched on the top of this
Egyptian obelisk? The obelisk is in the center of
the Hippodrome, and you can see two of the six Blue
Mosque minarets in the background. According to Isa,
firemen and soldiers like to test their skills by
climbing to the top.

Hat Man at the Blue Mosque

I found this man knitting hats in a niche outside the
Blue Mosque. He said they were made of soft cotton
and offered me one to try on. I really liked his though, and he took it off and offered it to me. I didn’t buy one of his, but I did buy two hats in Turkey. On the main street in the ruins of Bergama, I found one of turquoise blue, crocheted with beaded strands draping from the back, and an Afghani style a few days later, which will be warm in winter with its padding and attached scarf.

Fish Dinner

Istanbul was the only place on our itinerary that dinner wasn’t covered. Isa recommended this restaurant in the Fish Market, where we were serenaded by Gypsy musicians. There was another Gypsy band at the corner of the street, and they played louder and louder in an attempt to silence our band. It was an impressive duel. Our band never stopped playing.

Isa; SusieHolecheck; Brian Heyboer 74; Mark Fortune 65

Aya Sofia Window

This beautifully painted archway above the window sits atop the balcony, where the women prayed apart from the rest of the congregation.

Aya Sofia Detail

Every stained glass window was different, and there
was a strong use of gold in the artwork covering every inch of the museum.

Aya Sofia Wish

Here is where I made my third and last wish in Turkey. You can see the circle worn into the marble from the millions of hands that have rotated around a thumb.

Turkey Tour 2006