Entry to the lovely Blue mosque is free to all, but a scarf is a must, for those that don’t have one a cover is available to use. Shoes are also removed and carried in a plastic bag that is supplied. Going early again meant the queues were quite small, but in any event it moved fairly well and waiting was minimal. I wouldn’t want to be waiting too long as the heat of the day regardless of time, is very warm if you are standing in it.
It is also called the Sultan Ahmed mosque. To even begin to describe this beautiful mosques interior is difficult. The gorgeous blue tiles, some 20,000 of them , and then some , are simply stunning. I was reminded of the beautiful tiles in the Samarkand and Bukhara mosques and buildings.
There were many tourists milling around of course, I was interested to hear someone describing the prayer routine of a man obviously praying. Each movement of the prayer is coordinated with a verse from the Koran. It was fascinating to listen to the description while watching the man actions and indeed they were exactly what the observer was describing.
the man praying then went through the motions again , apparently catching up with a missed prayer earlier in the day! Just as well, the call to prayer goes out five times a day and there must be times that have to be missed!
A female tourist with camera, wandered out into the mens’ prayer section, you would have thought that she would have used her brain a little, there is a huge carpeted area with barriers. She came very close to being escorted out!! There are some things you just don’t do in a mosque!
The women have their own prayer area behind the mens and I believe the balcony is also for the women.
All the mosques are so wonderfully cool, and peaceful despite the numbers of people and cameras. Moving on from this mosque, I went further on down the street and came across the Basilica Cistern. I had not heard of this or even seen it advertised until passing the sign with the name and directional arrow, needless to say I loved it.
Anything that is different within the Roman age attracts my fascination. An old water storage building built in the Byzantine era, around the sixth century, your first view of it is of many, many columns holding the roof up. There are walkways to wander and enjoy the eerie feeling of literally being in a water tank, complete with fish! The mere age of the structure is awe inspiring, the columns fantastic. There is even a cafe if you want some refreshments. I had to go and see the blocks with Medusa heads on them, and consider why they were placed the way they were. Probably just to make the columns fit but I suspect we will never know. I did go in the exit door but no one stopped me, and it was easy to blend in with the small number of people that were there.and still get right round.
By now the afternoon had simply vanished and it was close to dinnertime. Walking back up the street, past the stage and seats that were slowly filling for the evening. As it was Ramadan I surmised there was probably a meeting or something similar there. Just past there was a small restaurant that I had been enjoying some meals at, needless to say they had wifi that I could access, seeing as Maccas was useless on this occasion.
After dinner, I do love turkish food, as my waist already attests to knowing, it was back to the hotel