What a magical place this is! I arrived at around 8pm to my hotel via Istanbul public transit--great. Just think they actually have public trains that go TO the Airport? Go figure. One transfer and I was in the old town of Istanbul called Sultanahmet. Balmy 85 degrees with a little thunder shower late at night. Everyone is walking the streets--families, young people on dates, tourists and locals alike. While there is little left, this was the heart of Constantines Contaninople. The Hagai Sophia was his church--later rebuilt by Justinian. The hippodome was nearby and you can still see several pillars that ordained this favorite Byzantium hangout---chariot racing! Then ther is the beautiful Blue Mosque and exotic feel of the whole place. Here are a couple of pictures.
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Two of the ancient monuments from
the Hippodome. The moon in the corner. |
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| The Blue Mosque at night |
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