Istanbul, Turkey

Last Thursday, Juri took me to Istanbul for another conference for work. We left the kids once again with some friends and they were very excited. While Juri got to work on Thursday and Friday, I, on the other hand, got to relax (thursday) and visit (friday) with the wives of the other lawyers that came for the conference. We all got along very well, even though we came from all over Europe and Asia.

On Thursday, we got to have dinner on a boat sailing on the Bosphorus river. IT was so pretty, unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures. That river separates Turkey/Istanbul into 2 parts, the european and the asian (Anatolia) sides.

Turkey is such a fascinating country with an amazing history. We really enjoyed all its history, especially about the Sultans. Istanbul has been Turkey's capital for years until President Ataturk declared Ankara the new capital in 1923.

Istanbul is a very open city, eventhough it is mostly Muslim, there are Christians and Jews living there too. I didn't have to wear a veil during our stay there. Despite the horrible traffic there, we really loved Istanbul and enjoyed our time there. It's a must-see city.

Friday activity

Dolmabahçe Palace- Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside. All the rooms were beautiful. I wish I could have visited the Harem where hundreds of concubines were living, but you have to pay extra to go there. Next time maybe.

The Sultan's Gate

Taksim square - a gallery with lots of restaurants and flower hanging from the ceiling. The waiters are a bit harrassing you to coe and eat at their restaurant.

Galata Tower - there's a restaurant at the top with an incredible view.

It was time for prayer

View from the Galata Tower - Istanbul with the Bosphorus
European side (bottom) and Asian side (top)

Topkapi Palace -
AyaSofya Mosque - Blue Mosque

Crowded Istanbul

a small group of us, wives, having lunch:
France, Danemark, Portugal, me, Japan, Czech

Saturday, whole day, activities with the hubbies

Locals fishing in the Bosphorus

In front on the Topkapi Palace (1st gate) initially built by Sultan Mehmed II

There a 4 rooms where you could see some beautiful pieces of jewelry, especially the Spoonmaker's diamond. An 86 carat diamond surrounded by 46 diamonds. This diamond was sold by a poor fisherman for 3 wooden spoons thinking it was just a piece of crystal.

Sultan's throne while listening to his Viziers

"Anatoli" or Asian side

It felt so good to feel the sun on the skin. Our eyes were not used to it though.

Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya Mosque
Mosaic over the Imperial Gate

8 meters medallion hanging on the wall

Masaic of the Virgin Mary and Christ

Marble jar

Blue Mosque/ Sultan Ahmed Mosque - active mosque

Inside - we had to take off our shoes and it was the only place I had to wear a veil or something to cover my head and shoulder. I took a sweater.

Called the Blue Mosque because of the stained glass and the mosaics

Verses of the Qu'ran on the walls

Men praying (women had to pray in a separate and less comfortable place)
They pray 5 times/day, called by a muezzin, after they wash themselves.

Another verse

Grand Bazaar, constructed in the 1400s.

Amazing place with lots of goodies. You need to negotiate everything you want to buy, which is not my thing. We saw people (tourists especially) getting so agressive while negotiating. Juri got me 2 beautiful cashmere shawls (purple of course) at an amazing price by negotiating so calmly and nicely. I love him for being so respectful even in business.

Before we left, we saw those beauties. I think next time we go back, we'll get a couple of them.

Click to enlarge

Here's one of the shawl, Juri's favorite. (taken at Starbucks, our first time getting amazing hot chocolates. I think I'm hooked; they're so good)

I feel so big on the picture.

I walked sooooo much (almost non-stop) on friday and saturday that my legs are swollen and sore, even until today. Walking from 10am to 4pm on friday and from 10 to 8pm and more at 11pm on saturday for our last day in Istanbul.

We had to wake up at 3am to take our plane at 5:40am. So it was a very short sleep for us. We got to Brussels at around 9-10am and picked up the kids in the afternoon. They were happy to see us and then it was back to normal and chaos. I'm so grateful for Juri for arranging things out so that I could join him at the conference. It's a great early birthday present.