Don’t Let The Lines At The Hagia Sophia Deter You From Seeing It

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Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Ottoman Empire, Sultan Mehmed II, Turkey

Hagia Sophia. This photo was actually taken 5 days ago when it was freezing outside. With the long lines as well, it was an easy decision to go to the Hamam (Turkish Bath House) instead.

The Church of the Holy Wisdom is known as the Hagia Sophia in Greek, Saint Sophia in Latin, and Ayasofya or Aya Sofya in Turkish. The current Hagia Sofia dates back to 532-537AD, with parts of it going back almost another 200 years. The monument is unique in its existence – having a base of both Christianity and Islam. Hagia Sophia, both architecturally and liturgically, was influenced by Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Muslim worlds. I had walked by the Hagia Sophia 5 days straight, without actually going in. It is also less than a half mile from my hotel, but still I did not enter this beautiful former Byzantine church and mosque, which is now a museum. Why not?

The Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey

Avoid the gorgons’ gaze!

A few posts ago, I mentioned that my fascination with Turkey and more specifically, with Istanbul, began with the James Bond movie, From Russia With Love. I first saw this movie when I was 10 years old. At the time, I recall thinking, “What a neat city – exotic and shrouded in mystery. I wish I could visit it some day.” Some 40 plus years later, I am doing exactly that. 

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar

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Grand Bazaar, Hotel Sarejevo, Istanbul, Nazar Bonjuk, Residence Hotel, Turkey

The Grand Bazaar.

Even if I was a shopper, I would have a difficult time stuffing a Turkish carpet inside my back pack. Same deal with Alabaster bowls, plates, or chess sets. Turkey is also famous for inlaid wood products, spices, “Turkish Delight” baklava and other sweets, gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, and cashmere. However, none of that stuff is going in my back pack either. Sheesh, with my luck, I would buy some “kekik” (Turkish Oregano) and the police would make me a cell mate with some old toothless dude that Billy Hayes bunked with back in the 1970s. Regardless, I wanted to check out the hype about something called the Grand Bazaar. 

How Cold Was It? So &%$#@!+ Cold That I Went To A Turkish Bath

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Hagia Sophia, Hamam, Istanbul, masseur, masseuse, Public toilet, Turkey, Turkish Bath

Turkish bath house. The building has stood for 600 years and apparently, the family which owns this bath house has operated it since the 18th century. Wow!

When you travel, you have to be a Plan B person. Stay flexible is my motto. The original round the world (RTW) plan was to hit the “hot and humid” countries first and then around late March, segue into the more frigid countries, which hopefully would be basking in early Spring like weather. My wardrobe choices such as t shirts, tank tops, and a couple of long sleeve shirts would be perfect for the weather I anticipated. In fact, I had been hauling around a fleece pullover, which I had worn on a cold freezing day in Denver nearly 3 months ago – to 4 countries before I dumped it in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Bye bye . . .

On A Mission From Snarkk (God?) . . . Finding The Blue Mosque

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Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Sultan Ahmed “Blue Mosque.”

So when a friend asks me to make sure I post pictures of the Blue Mosque, the informal name of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, I take these assignments seriously. Especially so, when it comes from a fellow San Francisco Giants fan. However, unbeknownst to me, this was going to be tougher than I anticipated. In fact, it took me most of the early morning and afternoon, before I would even sniff the Blue Mosque.

Day 1 and 2 in Istanbul, Turkey

Me on top of the Galata Tower, Istanbul; day 2 after getting 11 plus hours of sleep. Ha. Also, notice the sweat shirt? It’s frickin’ cold in Istanbul!

I arrived in Istanbul, Turkey at around 11a.m., bleary eyed, almost a zombie as I went through Immigration and Customs. Thankfully, the flight from Kathmandu, Nepal to Istanbul via Doha, Qatar went smoothly, without any flight problems or delays. However, I did leave Kathmandu at mid-night and with a 5 hour layover in Doha, I didn’t get too many hours of sleep on the 2 flight legs or in the Doha airport. Yeah, I was seriously tired and wasn’t looking forward to hauling a large back pack and day pack through the airport, while looking for an ATM, then metro bus or train. 

Bhaktapur City, Nepal

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Bhaktapur City, Buddha, Doha, Istanbul, Kathmandu, Nepal, Qatar, Shambaling Hotel, Turkey

I am sitting in the Doha, Qatar airport at an ungodly 3am (or should I say unMuhammad hour?) in the morning, waiting for my 7:40am flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Yawn. I started this leg of my RTW journey, the day before on the 23rd of March, at 11:45pm, from Kathmandu. By the time I arrive in Istanbul, it will be the 24th of March. Double yawn . . . 

On A Quest For Pashmina In Kathmandu

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Goat, Kathmandu, Nepal, Pashmina, Shabaling Hotel, Thamel

Thamel. This is the preeminent tourist shopping area of Kathmandu.

So unbeknownst to me until a couple of days ago, the “must have” product in Nepal (besides possibly gem and silver jewelry), is Pashmina, a type of fine cashmere wool. I was interested in possibly purchasing a shawl for 2 reasons: 1. It’s light and I can carry it in my back pack; and, 2. My mother’s upcoming birthday in April.

Sundarijal Water Falls Hike, Kathmandu, Nepal

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Bureau of Reclamation, dam, Kathmandu, Nepal, reservoir, river, Shasta Dam, Sundarijal dam, trail, trek, village, water buffalo

Sundarijal water falls.

Sundarijal is translated as “Nice drinking water” and that’s exactly what I found on this hike. A beautiful, if small waterfall, with crystal clear water. Nevertheless, westerners should not think that they can drink this water, as it is untreated. My point is that all the rivers I have seen in Kathmandu are distinguished by being quite “brown” looking (that’s putting it nicely) and the further you get away from the city, the “source” becomes cleaner.

James Bond and Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal

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Hanuman, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal, Shiva

King Pratap Malla’s statue.

I am so blessed to be able to travel around the world and see exotic countries such as Nepal. When I was a child of 6 or 7, one of the first movies I remember seeing and loving, was From Russia With Love. No silly, not because of the women (sheesh, I was 7 years old . . . yuck), but because of how cool, debonair, and witty James Bond was; and equally important, the foreign, exotic and mysterious places where he lived and visited, London and Istanbul, respectfully. I had two dreams back then – neither of which came true – become a professional baseball player or a secret agent. Oh well . . . LOL.