2) Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

       On the way to Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sofia entrance to this church converted into a mosque.

       Images of Christ and the Madonna

retained in the mosque.

      Hagia Sophia library with a plethora of books.

       Contemporary calligraphy art exhibition inside the Hagia Sophia Mosque

On our way to traditional Turkish lunch

         

         THE SULTANAHMET (BLUE) MOSQUE

       The tulip, pictured on the wall to wall prayer carpet, points towards Mecca.

         

    Dinner in suburban Topkapi round the corner from our hotel, where the locals are more sincere and kind than in the touristic CBD of Sultanahmet.

Have you ever eaten "suffering and its shareholders"?

These are now our best friends who we've known for an hour. Neither speaks the others' language but they know a Père Noël when they see one.