Anyways, onto more pressing topics. Their first destination was lunch, mine was the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia was originally a basilica, later a mosque, and since has been converted into a museum. The reason for its importance is not between the hands through which it has passed, but rather through the architecture that remains. Apparently, this monument was so profound that it changed the future of architecture. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any evidence of this in Istanbul, but after a bit of research, I will get back to you on how exactly this architecture has made an impact. Even if it didn’t change the future of architecture however, the Hagia Sophia is beautiful in its own right. It has gorgeous arches, immaculate mosaics, and artistic Arabic inscriptions centered on most of the inner columns.
After my tour of the Hagia Sophia I popped over to the Sunken Cistern. A Cistern is an underground, unclosed area once used for storage, generally for water. This particular cistern was originally built by Emperor Constantine, and later enlarged by Emperor Justinian. This water source was used, among other places, by the Emperor’s palace and later Topkapi Palace.
In addition to water, this palace also holds historical columns. At the bases of two of the columns are the faces of Medusa. One is resting on its side, the other with blood fully rushing to its head as the image is upside down. These bases were not original to the cistern, but are rumored to have been taken from the Roman Empire and placed in unnatural positions so to ward off the powers of Medusa.
Sacrificing food, I met my host mother at the requested deadline. Off to the Grand Bazaar we went. This is the sight that I was most looking forward to visiting. Not necessarily for the shopping, but rather to see what was being sold. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is quite different than most markets I have been in, simply due to the fact that it was covered. I was one of 300,000 people that enter the Bazaar each day to browse the contents of over 1200 stores. The Bazaar hosts everything from trinkets and medallions to diamond wedding rings and state-of-the-art rugs.
I was spoken to in more languages than I could identify, as the shop owners attempt to speak to you in your native tongue. Being a genetic mutt allows for some entertaining guesses of my residency. Regardless of what language the shopkeepers were speaking in, their message was clear: come look at what I have to offer. Some of them are very sneaky, and could convince a shedding dog that it needs Rogaine. Yet they are only doing their job. If you allow them the chance, they will give you their seat, best tulip glasses, and continue to refill it with a variety of flavors of tea. If you stay long enough, they will even off you bits of simit (circular bread covered in sesame seeds). The hardest part of bargaining for me is that I don’t know the value of many of the things that I want to buy—as the things I look at are native to Turkey. Thus I think I ended up offending a few shop owners when I gave them my asking price. Regardless however, the experience of the Bazaar, despite the haggle and heckling, is something I would gladly do again.
As I was too busy enthrallled with the Bazaar, I forgot to take photos. Here is my lone picture to share with you:
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