Istanbul and Colors of the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul (not Constantinople) is set on the channel that divides Europe and Asia. Although Turkey is often considered middle eastern, Istanbul feels European. The city is full of huge mosques and ancient buildings and the air smells like cherry tobacco and sizzling kebab meat. The public transportation system may be the best in eastern europe. The Grand Bazaar is an enormous covered market with thousands of shops and circuitous alleyways. It is one of the more interesting markets we have seen, if not a little touristy.

Scenes from the Grand Bazaar



View of Istanbul from a ferry


The Blue Mosque


The Aya Sofia (originally built as a church)