Istanbul! The only city in the world spanning two continents. We rode from the Asia side to the Europe side on one of two bridges crossing the Bosphorus, the waterway that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. One begins to truly appreciate the critical role Turkey plays in the world economically and politically. This is a country that understands and can interact positively with both the Middle East and the Western world because it is both worlds.
The city is ancient and as we tour we see the layers and layers of civilizations. Istanbul is not only east meets west, but old meets new. Aya Sofya (or Hagia Sophia) is symbolic of this layering--the first Temple on the site was likely a temple to Athena. Then after destruction, a church was built (537)--the grandest church in the world for over a thousand years until the completion of St Peter's in Rome. The center dome is over 18 stories high and 100 feet across. (The word Sophia means wisdom in Christian tradition--Aya Sophia = Holy Wisdom because it seems only a miracle or Holy Wisdom could keep this dome suspended in the sky--indeed it is a mathematical feat!) Emperor Justinian commissioned the building in gratitude to God for being spared in a horrible fire in the city that killed thousands. (The fires were the result of riots that broke out in the Hippodrome--or chariot race parks). In 1453, Mehmet the Conqueror converted the church to a mosque. You can see traditional Christian angels and mosaics of Christ and the Virgin Mary alongside traditional mosque decorations, the names of Allah and Muhammad and descendents.
Legends abound about the marble column on the way out--wishes might be granted to those who place their thumb in the hole and move their hand 360 degrees. Given the recent events in Gaza and the resulting protests here in Turkey, I, of course, wish for peace. Cliche, perhaps, but nevertheless, a deeply rooted desire in everyone I've met on this journey.
What are the chances I will meet a group of Ball State University students (my alma mater!) while in Instabul?!
We toured the blue mosque today as well, called this only by tourists who stand in awe at the 20,000 blue Iznik tiles within and who perhaps have trouble remembering "Sultan Ahmet Camii," the name local worshippers would use to reference this famous landmark and operating mosque.
We ended our day with a stroll, seafood, and coffee along the Bosphorus.
