Istanbul in pictures

Blue Mosque

candy

Hagai Sophia

There were kittens everywhere, kind of like mosquitos to Houston

Alyssa after our Turkish bath

Blue Mosque at night

Turkish delight

Topkapi Palace

Hagai Sophia

Blue Mosque

There are no further pictures because we weren't allowed to take pictures inside the mosque
as it is still a functioning mosque. We were required to take off our shoes, wear a head dress,
and have our shoulders covered and be wearing pants or a long skirt.

Grand Bazaar

Alyssa and I at the Grand Bazaar

Jesse, Alyssa and I
This was just the beginning of their three week trip throughout the Middle East.

A few things I learned about Istanbul:

-Its hot (and what I learned about myself, I have somehow in only ten months acclimated to my new life of being in Paris and the hot is horrible now!)

-The men were a lot like Italians but in a sense worse. They were incredibly forward, friendly, and not always in a good way.

-Being pale and with blue eyes is not a good combination in this part of the country. I stood out like a sore thumb. 

-Kebab's are a what the Turks eat. yum.

-Turkish delight is one interesting treat. It's like a gummy type jell-o rolled in powder sugar. Not sure if i described that correctly.

-Turkish bath's are ....interesting. So glad I did it once, but don't plan on doing it again.

And lastly, I had a great time in Istanbul, but the best part was not where I was or what I was doing but who I was with. It was so nice to see some friends from Texas and be fully Texas-fied for a weekend. It showed me just how much I have changed in ten months but also, just how much I have NOT changed. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet up with Alyssa Jesse and for a few short days and make some lasting memories with them, but I am probably ok for saying that I don't think a return trip to Istanbul is in my future. It was a great city, I ate some great food, saw some incredible places, but was happy to be back in Paris Sunday evening!

Alyssa and Jesse are just starting their 3 week trip throughout the Middle East. If you would like to follow their blog and see what all they are doing, click on this link HERE. Alyssa should be updating but who knows when she'll have time (or internet). 

Hope everyone had a great weekend themselves, only 2 more weeks until I move!!!!!!

Love, me