Istanbul, Part I

As rewarding as my trip to Ankara was, it is nice to be back on familiar ground in Istanbul. I arrived late, and the next day began my search for Orhan Pamuk's literary landmarks. I'll save those pictures for another day, but thought I would give you some nice shots from one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

From the Kariye Muzesi (Museum)....

beautiful mosaics from a Byzantine church dating to the 5th century C.E.

From the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet....

notice the Egyptian (Pharonic) obelisk in the foreground of the Hippodrome, part of the Roman bounty looted from Heliopolis, outside of Cairo

And from the Ottoman Topkapi Palace....

and the amazing Iznik tiles that cover so many of the walls in Topkapi Palace...