We are with a very nice group of Rotarians and even a few non-Rotarians and at this everyone is getting along.
DAY 1
On Thursday we visited the Archeological Museum and the Topkapi Palace. The palace was built back in the 12/13th Century by the first Sultan. They were really quite advanced in those days with proper toilets, very good gutter systems for drainage and wonderful kitchens. The thing I loved the most was the beautiful display of tulips and hyacinths in the gardens surrounding the palace. I will never forget the beautiful aroma from the hyacinths - just wonderful.
We had our lunch at the Topkapi Palace Restaurant which overlooked the Bosphorus River - the river that divides the East and the West - Europe and Asia. After lunch we had free time in the Palace gardens to wander and look at whatever - we chose to wander through the Harem quarters. A Sultan's Harem was not like what most of us perceive it to be - the young girls are brought to the Harem to be educated in the ways of royalty as well as being educated scholastically. Then, when the day comes, one young girl will be selected to be the next reigning Sultan's bride.amazing
When we returned to our Hotel we had a quick change of clothes and off to the Goksu Rotary Club dinner, held at the University Social Club. This location was right next to the huge Bosphorus Bridge - one of the busiest bridges we have ever encountered. Later in the evening the bridge was full of semi trailers, bumper to bumper, and this was like that until we left at 11pm. Where they were going we do not know!!
The Rotarians sitting with us, Harban and his wife, were both architects, and very nice people. Harban could speak speak English "if we used little words" while conversing. He was very nice and showed us a photo of his latest building he designed and built on the Asia side - 15 floors high, each floor has 2 apartments - very modern.
DAY 2
We visited the Dolmabahce Palace - a palace built right on the banks of the Bosphorus, that was used primarily for the government ministerial offices and private meetings with the Sultan. One such famous meeting was the discussions held about Gallipoli. We actually were in the meeting area where these discussions were held 100 years ago. We must say here that every ordinary Turk on the street that meets us (be it shopping or in the hotel) have a great regard for people from Australia. This palace was again very grand and had some very huge, beautiful Turkish rugs, amazing crystal chandeliers (one of which was on the floor in pieces being cleaned) and some very different furniture pieces.
After lunch at a famous kebab restaurant, we went to a rug store "Agora" where the owner gave us a talk on the making of Turkish rugs and their history. One other lady, Sue, and I were really interested to see how the weaving was done, so the owner went a brought the weaver up to give us a demonstration. ?This was a wonderful experience to see this lady's fingers tying these double knots at such speed. They can only work 20 minutes at a time because of the sheer concentration needed. Sue & I were even given the chance to learn how to knot and weave. What an experience that was!! I will definitely stick with patchworking!!!
After our rug lesson we walked on to the Grand Baazar. This was certainly an experience - so many stalls of everything you can imagine. Mind boggling really. We did purchase a couple of things - but Ray's best purchase was 500g of real Turkish Delight!
Our day was over, and boy were we tired! We are now getting ready to start Day 3 - visit to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and lunch. Ray & I (along with others from our group) are attending the Rotary Peace Conference in afternoon/evening, so it will be a quick change back at hotel and on our way to conference. (I must admit I am only interested in the 4 musical items that will be on at the conference!!!!).
We are very tired and Ray has a cold (getting better he says) but we are enjoying ourselves.
Bye for now
Di & Ray
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