AYASOFYA

TURKEY'S MOST-VISITED ATTRACTION

In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II, who ordered this main church of Orthodox Christianity converted into a mosque. 

By that point, the church had fallen into a state of disrepair. Nevertheless, the Christian cathedral made a strong impression on the new Ottoman rulers and they decided to convert it into a mosque.

The bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels and other relics were removed and the mosaics depicting Jesus, his Mother Mary, Christian saints and angels were also removed or plastered over.

Islanic features—such as the mihrab, minbar, and four minarets—were added.

It remained a mosque until 1931, when it was closed to the public for four years. 

It was re-opened in 1935 as a museum by the Republic of Turkey. 

--Courtesy, Wikipedia

WHY CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG?

A MESSAGE OF LOVE FROM ISTANBUL

It's a Moslem woman. Donald Trump and other right wing reactionary crazies have told me all I need to know. She's up to no good. She hates America, Christianity and small animals. She probably has a suicide bomb under that hijab.

This can't end well. Poor little cat. This Moslem monster will probably twist its head off and drink its blood in some kind of Godless ritual.

But wait. She seems to be gently petting the little creature. Like the millions of strays on the streets of Istanbul, this sweet purring kedi is getting affection. The locals, an overwhelming majority of whom are Moslem, are famous for being kind to animals. A recent award-winning film documented the uncommon kindness shown to stray cats in Istanbul.

So maybe Trump and the bigoted people who would ban Moslems from entering our nation of immigrants and otherwise demonize followers of one of the major religions of the world are out of their mind. Or maybe they simply cannot do math. Maybe they never learned that a tiny fraction of evil people who kill and maim in the name of Islam are just that -- a tiny fraction who are not emblematic of the peaceful overwhelming majority.

Let's face it. If a small fraction of monsters automatically tainted everyone from the much larger group, then Oklahoma City bomber terrorist (and bronze star-awarded military veteran) Timothy McVeigh's actions would mean we should ban all military vets from air travel and perhaps round them up in internment camps. But that would be insane. Just as insane as broadly defining all observant, loving, family-oriented Moslems as evil simply because a small fraction who allegedly share their core religion have misused it as an excuse for bombings.

So maybe this gentle woman, giving unconditional love to a little cat wandering the marbled and magnificent grounds of the Eyup Sultan Mosque, is more typical of Moslems. Maybe, if we worked daily to remove hate from the world, we could appreciate others. Maybe should try harder to teach our fellow Americans that someone whose religious garb is different is NOT a terrorist, evil doer or person to fear.

Sorry bigots, fanners of the flame and embracers of hate. I reject your venom. I respect all peaceful people. I thank the heavens above that I have a brain capable of recognizing statistical outliers -- so I don't brand every person of an identifiable group because of the malicious actions of a tiny few.

I see this Moslem woman for what she is: a loving fellow human being, taking time out of her busy day to give nurturing kindness to a cuddly critter. Maybe we could all try a little harder to coexist.

MOSQUE OF SULTAN SÜLEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Designed by the Ottoman Empire’s greatest architect, Mimar Sinan, the Süleymaniye dominates the city's Third Hill, just north of Istanbul University, overlooking the Golden Horn.

FOUNTAIN OF AHMED III

OTTOMAN ARCHITECTURE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

In Sultanahmet Square, Old Town, Istanbul, Turkey.

By the way, entire Istanbul and Turkey trip was safest I've felt in years.

Go visit, the people are warm and everything is safe as hometown USA.

GRAND BAZAAR, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Kapalı Çarşı, or Covered Market

Yes, sadly, at least half the nearly 4,000 stalls are aimed at tourists.

But the Grand Bazaar is a must see.

Go for the history.

Stop to have tea -- Turkish or apple.

Bargain with a salesperson -- the gold and silver places generally charge by weight, with a very small mark up for the craftsmanship.

Check out turkeytravelplanner.com for more insights.

RAIN DOESN'T DAMPEN SPIRITS IN HISTORIC PERA

ISTANBUL, CITY OF FABLES AND MYTHS

A light drizzle on a warm day just provides an excuse for more baklava and tea in a gold-rimmed, tulip-shaped glass on pedestrian-oriented Istiklal Caddesi

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

WALKING TO THE NOSTALGIC TRAM

The tram runs from Tünel to Taksim Square on Istiklal Caddesi