We got back to the big K yesterday morning at 6:30 and have just been recovering ever since. I haven't posted in a few days because I haven't been feeling well.
On Tuesday evening, we went to the Four Seasons Hotel for dinner because we had read that they have the best hotel restaurant in Istanbul. Not hard to believe, really. And everything was delicious, including the complimentary appetizer the chef sent out to us that was a shrimp cake topped with gnocci. Then, we had sweet corn lobster bisque. Ummmm, hello! So yummy. We shared a little pasta starter: tagliatelle with cream sauce and mushrooms. And I had lamb shanks for my main course and Huzz had the Sea Bass. And then for dessert, we shared the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. And it was the kind of cake the oozed out rich chocolate fudge when you cut into it.
The next morning, I woke up with 5 mosquito bites on my arm, around my elbow. Well, I thought they were mosquito bites, but they quickly spread all over my body, focusing on my head and ears. I got hives.
I remedied the situation by taking Benadryl regularly until we got back yesterday, but I was still miserable and they seemed to be getting worse. So, I called the medical clinic and we went in. The doctor gave me another histamine blocker to use with the Benadryl and I think I'm slowly getting better. Since last night, the hives have focused on my hands, though. My fingers are about twice their normal size and look like sausages and they itch so bad!
We are going to a play tonight at the local college with our friends, Matt & Jonna. I am just hoping I can focus on the play and not scratch myself to death during the performance.
I will try to post the rest of my pictures from Istanbul and finish telling stories. I have another pretty funny story, involving an aqueduct and a shoe shine!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Dolmabahce Palace...
The picture below is not Dolmabahce Palace, but actually the Dolmabahce Mosque, which is just down the street from the Palace. We didn't go in the Mosque, but just took a picture as we went by.
Here is us in front of the Palace gates. Dolmabahce Palace is another palace where Sultans ruled from. This one isn't as old, as it was used mostly between the mid-1850's to the 1920's.
We got lucky and were able to see the changing of the guards as we approached the palace.
That was kind of neat.
Here is one of the guard's posts: standing on this platform, in front of the gate. He was like a Buckingham Palace guard. He didn't move at all.
This is the gate that the Sultan would go out of if he needed to go in towards land from the palace. As you can see, it is a very small gate.
And this is the gate the Sultan would leave out of if he wanted to go out to the water side of the palace. The palace sits right along the Bosphorus Strait, as you can see right behind Huzz.
I thought this was a neat sculpture in the garden: a lion tackling an alligator to the ground.
The palace is so huge, it's impossible to get it all in one picture and show the immensity of it. This is one side of the palace. As you can see, it stretches back really far.
So, we went on an English tour, which was slightly frustrating, as there was a group of ladies who would not keep their yappers shut while our tour guide told us about the various things in the palace. But here is an up close of the banister at the Crystal Staircase. Pretty impressive.
And here is most of the Crystal Staircase, in its entirety, including massive chandelier.
The palace was extremely ornate and expansive. Every room had massive chandeliers and intricate paintings on the celing. Columns everywhere, and arched doorways. This was a dining room, of some sort.
Again, the quality of the pictures isn't great, as there was no flash photography allowed, but here is a fireplace that made me think of my Grandma Evelyn. The colors reminded me of her, I think.
This is in the Sultan's bathroom. It was all carved marble, everywhere.
This is the ceiling in the final great room of the tour. The ceiling was very high and the painting was extremely detailed.
This room was Huzz's favorite part of what we visited in Istanbul. It was a really impressive room, I have to say!
This is the chandelier in the great hall area.
Here we are in front of another gate that leads out to the water when we came out of the tour.
I was shocked by the immensity of everything.
Here is us in front of the Palace gates. Dolmabahce Palace is another palace where Sultans ruled from. This one isn't as old, as it was used mostly between the mid-1850's to the 1920's.
We got lucky and were able to see the changing of the guards as we approached the palace.
That was kind of neat.
Here is one of the guard's posts: standing on this platform, in front of the gate. He was like a Buckingham Palace guard. He didn't move at all.
This is the gate that the Sultan would go out of if he needed to go in towards land from the palace. As you can see, it is a very small gate.
And this is the gate the Sultan would leave out of if he wanted to go out to the water side of the palace. The palace sits right along the Bosphorus Strait, as you can see right behind Huzz.
I thought this was a neat sculpture in the garden: a lion tackling an alligator to the ground.
The palace is so huge, it's impossible to get it all in one picture and show the immensity of it. This is one side of the palace. As you can see, it stretches back really far.
So, we went on an English tour, which was slightly frustrating, as there was a group of ladies who would not keep their yappers shut while our tour guide told us about the various things in the palace. But here is an up close of the banister at the Crystal Staircase. Pretty impressive.
And here is most of the Crystal Staircase, in its entirety, including massive chandelier.
The palace was extremely ornate and expansive. Every room had massive chandeliers and intricate paintings on the celing. Columns everywhere, and arched doorways. This was a dining room, of some sort.
Again, the quality of the pictures isn't great, as there was no flash photography allowed, but here is a fireplace that made me think of my Grandma Evelyn. The colors reminded me of her, I think.
This is in the Sultan's bathroom. It was all carved marble, everywhere.
This is the ceiling in the final great room of the tour. The ceiling was very high and the painting was extremely detailed.
This room was Huzz's favorite part of what we visited in Istanbul. It was a really impressive room, I have to say!
This is the chandelier in the great hall area.
Here we are in front of another gate that leads out to the water when we came out of the tour.
I was shocked by the immensity of everything.
Even though the palace was very beautiful and impressive, it was a little sad to think about what the Sultans' family's lives were like. For one thing, the Sultans had several wives. When we visited the "Harem" (living quarters), there were 8 wives' apartments, where they would live individually with their children. And there was a hierarchy with their status. I can imagine it was a pretty lonely life.
Anyway, that is the Dolmabache Palace!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Stellan...
Today is a big P day. Well, what day isn't, really? But today, baby Stellan joined Huzz and I on our bus tour around Istanbul. Stellan's mommy has a name gallery going on her website and you should check it out. People from all over the world are sending up big P's for this little guy. His story is remarkable and right now, he is in great need of healing.
We are about to head to get something to eat. If I'm not too tired afterwards, I'll be posting a little bit. I am quite the procrastinator!
Big P's Needed...
I had a dream last night about our good family friend, Jane. Jane has had MS for as long as I can remember, but I think she's only in her very early 60's. I dreamt that I was at a Starbucks and Jane came in (walked in, not wheeled in) with her mother and her baby in a baby carriage. I said hi and held the baby. In real life, Jane does not have any children, which is why I was really excited in the dream. That was about it. Just a snippet.
When I woke up this morning, I checked my email and my mom had written to say that Mel (Jane's husband) had called to say that Jane is in the hospital and has been comatose for 30 hours. He is just praying that the Father would bring her Home, as she has been completely bed-ridden for the last 4-6 weeks. Her quality of life is nothing now.
Mel and Jane are such strong Believers and their trust in Him is so admirable. I know Mel will be heartbroken without his Jane, but I know he also has full confidence that Jane will be spending forever with our real Father and he will see her again soon.
Please keep Mel and Jane in your thoughts and big P's. They are dear friends to our whole family.
Huzz and I are off to go on a city bus tour today - double decker! We were planning on going to the Prince's Islands today, but didn't get up early enough. We are being very lazy!
I will try to post later tonight about some more things that we've been doing during the last few days.
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
When I woke up this morning, I checked my email and my mom had written to say that Mel (Jane's husband) had called to say that Jane is in the hospital and has been comatose for 30 hours. He is just praying that the Father would bring her Home, as she has been completely bed-ridden for the last 4-6 weeks. Her quality of life is nothing now.
Mel and Jane are such strong Believers and their trust in Him is so admirable. I know Mel will be heartbroken without his Jane, but I know he also has full confidence that Jane will be spending forever with our real Father and he will see her again soon.
Please keep Mel and Jane in your thoughts and big P's. They are dear friends to our whole family.
Huzz and I are off to go on a city bus tour today - double decker! We were planning on going to the Prince's Islands today, but didn't get up early enough. We are being very lazy!
I will try to post later tonight about some more things that we've been doing during the last few days.
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Aya Sofya...
Remember the other day, I told you we walked by the Haghia Sophia Mosque? Well, on Wednesday, we spent the 20 Lira a piece (about $12) and spent a couple of hours inside. And let me tell you, it was beautiful.
According to hagiasophia.com, "Rebuilt by the orders of Emperor Justinian in 537, for 900 years Hagia Sophia had been the center of Orthodox Christianity until 1453 when the city was concurred by Ottomans. 500 years following the conquest of Muslims, it became a jewel for the Muslim world and as the grand mosque of the sultans."
(I think they meant "conquered", not "concurred".)
The main thing that struck me while visiting the Mosque was the sheer immensity of the building. Archway after archway led to room after room, detailed with stone inlays and mosaics and hand-painted designs. And oh my, it was chilly in there!
Here is Huzz standing in front of something. I don't know what it was, but it was roped off, so it must've been important.
And me.
Oh, and I apologize for the lack of quality with some of the pictures. No flash photography was permitted, so some of them is the best I could get with the lighting provided.
I mean, seriously, look at all the archways. The super detailed paintings on the walls and ceilings just didn't seem to end.
We went up to the second story and took a look down below. Look at the height of the people compared to the rest of it. And I couldn't fit about twice as much height above this in my shot!
Here is one of the mosaics. This is Emperor Zoe, apparently.
More columns and archways and astonishing architecture.
This is one of the hallways upstairs. I just loved the painting on the ceiling. That's Huzz, walking in the tan jacket.
Just some neat facts. See, I told you it was huge!
This is the Mosaic of the Virgin Mary
And this is a fountain, just outside the Mosque. The sign said it was used to cleanse yourself before you entered the presence of God. Funny, I thought that that's why you enter His presence because only He can actually do that for you.
According to hagiasophia.com, "Rebuilt by the orders of Emperor Justinian in 537, for 900 years Hagia Sophia had been the center of Orthodox Christianity until 1453 when the city was concurred by Ottomans. 500 years following the conquest of Muslims, it became a jewel for the Muslim world and as the grand mosque of the sultans."
(I think they meant "conquered", not "concurred".)
The Mosque is so large that it is impossible to fit it all in one picture, but here is a little part of it. The whole building is made of stone. The workmanship is so intricate, it is hard to believe. One of the things we learned is that it was constructed in less than 6 years!
This is the door that only Emperors were allowed to enter through. I walked through it. It was huge!
The main thing that struck me while visiting the Mosque was the sheer immensity of the building. Archway after archway led to room after room, detailed with stone inlays and mosaics and hand-painted designs. And oh my, it was chilly in there!
Here is Huzz standing in front of something. I don't know what it was, but it was roped off, so it must've been important.
And me.
Oh, and I apologize for the lack of quality with some of the pictures. No flash photography was permitted, so some of them is the best I could get with the lighting provided.
I mean, seriously, look at all the archways. The super detailed paintings on the walls and ceilings just didn't seem to end.
We went up to the second story and took a look down below. Look at the height of the people compared to the rest of it. And I couldn't fit about twice as much height above this in my shot!
Here is one of the mosaics. This is Emperor Zoe, apparently.
More columns and archways and astonishing architecture.
This is one of the hallways upstairs. I just loved the painting on the ceiling. That's Huzz, walking in the tan jacket.
Just some neat facts. See, I told you it was huge!
This is the Mosaic of the Virgin Mary
And this is a fountain, just outside the Mosque. The sign said it was used to cleanse yourself before you entered the presence of God. Funny, I thought that that's why you enter His presence because only He can actually do that for you.
So, as you can see, we are learning a lot and seeing a lot! There is definitely so much history here that is keeping us busy. I have been so exhausted at nighttime that I don't have the strength to blog, but I'll keep trying to post while we're here, I promise!
PS ~ On Wednesday, I took 176 pictures of Hagia Sophia, so I just chose some of my favorites to share with you. When we get back to the States, I'll be more than happy to show anyone who's interested all of the pictures. We could pop popcorn and put up the projector screen. It would be awesome. I am cool, guys. Really, I am!
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