Istanbul

We have arrived!! Here is the Hague Sofia lit up at night, very pretty.

Saturday morning we walked around the markets....and then took the Bosphourous cruise...we are off to Asia!!!

Someone's private yacht included with helicopter on top - So wanted to be invited.

Asia....climbing up to the castle.
This was the castle...about a 25 min. walk all up hill...and it was closed...hehe


The TURKISH BATH.....well let's say that was interesting! VERY interesting. We were extremely 1. exfoliated 2. cleansed and 3. knew we didn't want to repeat the experience. Ever. ('nuff said)

I saw some lady with a Harris Teeter bag! I had to take a picture!!!! And it totally made me crave one of those delicious sugar cookies they have in the store for kids (yes, I eat the cookies for kids - you know you do too!)

AWESOME weather on Sunday! Look at that.....





So the FIBA world championships were taking place in Istanbul while we were there, really cool. AND the USA vs. Turkey was the final game on sunday night. So, Burr and I made the 1 hr venture down to the arena to see if we could scalp tickets. We did not see 1 person selling any tickets however....sad I know...we did see about 200 police officers though. VERY SECURE place!

When we gave up and decided, lets go to a bar and watch!

Spice Markets...doesn't that look funny.

More markets

And more markets....can you see Burr loved all this shopping :-P

The Blue Mosque!!! You have to take your shoes off to go in...it was so stinky in there! PEEEE---UUUUU.

All in all it was a very interesting and enlightening experience. Especially since it was the middle of Ramadan! I personally did not know Istanbul held 13m people and crossed both Europe and Asia. I also didn't know I could find a place busier than Harrods at Christmas...but we did...its all over Istanbul! The food was yummy and the bath was, um cleansing :-)

Love you all!

A and B