The Mighty Blue Mosque - Istanbul, Turkey. April 2013
In grade 8, if I recalled correctly, we had to study the different types of cathedral and religious buildings of the major periods in History like the Renaissance. I was in a French School and in History, we were pretty serious about learning the Centuries of Art/War/Culture/Trade in Europe and surrounding areas.
One of the most remarkable edifices I was totally impressed with was Sainte-Sophie - aka Hagia Sofia. It was the most beautiful cathedral ever built with a gold dome - sadly robbed off during muslim invasions. I had this dream of visiting it one day...and so happens, an AIESEC conference took place in Turkey in April 2013!
I was overjoyed, first because I got to attend an international conference - on a subsidised budget - and second I will be visiting Istanbul and St Sophie!
The taxi we rode to the area was a total rip-off: $100 Turkish Lira - we totally looked like tourist my friend and I. Upon stepping into Topkapi, I knew it will be an amazing day. Roads were bustling with busy local guides and trading stalls of rugs, and people delivering teas to their neighbouring businesses. We first visited the Blue Mosque and we got lucky as the prayers were starting as we came in. The building was truly an eye candy. I was soaked in with a great ambiance and got to sit down, relax and truly let go of any stressful thoughts I had accumulated prior to the trip.
Just right across from the Blue Mosque, stood Hagia Sofia! That feeling of completeness..yes..totally worth it. You can hire a video device that allows you to hear the different stories behind the art pieces and relics inside the Cathedral. The Cathedral itself was phenomenal, a childhood dream came true I was mumbling to myself...
To top off an amazing day, my friend and I went to the river tour and enjoyed a ferry ride along the Bosphorus.
I would definitely visit Turkey again if I got the chance: people, food, goods, places - the true turkish delights, shisha flavors, kebabs, sounds of mosque prayers, teas, rugs, handdrawn porcelain, lamps, scarves...and people fishing by the bridge between the European and Asian side of Turkey.