Allah Akbar! Do you hear that? It's the call to prayer. It is what woke me up today around 7:30, which is lucky because the first call sounds at 6 am from loudspeakers mounted on the mineret of the closest mosque. Depending on the day and my mood, this call to prayer can sounds like angels echoing through the city of hills or a sick dog howling after its leg has been run over by a car. So, the day has begun with the sound of angels or dogs, your choice!
In the northern section of Istanbul lies a fifteenth century fortress by the name of Rumeli Hisari. This was my destination for today. The premises was virtually abandoned except for the dozen or so police officers scattered among the cobble stone walk ways. Climbing the thousands of stairs gave me an opportunity to overcome my fear of heights, but also provided incredible views of the always busy Bosphorus River. One of my main goals in the time I spend here in Istanbul is find isolated destinations that one can feel alone in this city of over 20 million people.
Nice pictures!
ReplyDeleteCarly-
ReplyDeleteI was on a ship in the Bosporus about a year ago. I saw that castle and was intrigued that so few people visited it.
I hope you will be able to see the the over 1 million tulips planted 2 years ago in Turkey to celebrate the origin of the tulip. They still grow bulbs and export to Holland.
Kathy