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| View of the Bosphorus from Obelisk Hotel |
| After a long flight, we arrived at the Atat�rk Airport on May 13, 2007. A van driver from our hotel welcomed us at the airport. Our hotel was conveniently located in the old town on the Asia side. Our lead guide was Sidar Duman, a Turk, and assistant guide was Cliff Cameron from Rick Steves� office. After the orientation, the group set out to stroll over to the historic Blue Mosque. Its real name is Sultan Ahmet Mosque, but tourists call it the Blue Mosque, because of the beautiful blue tiles inside. We walked into the area where a man from the mosque explained a table used for the Islamic burial. Rich or poor, all deceased Islams are equally cleansed and clothed on the table. I don�t know what they were discussing in Turkish, but suddenly the old man began laughing and Sidar started laughing, and laughter being contagious, we all started laughing, but we weren't sure why. Later we took off our shoes and went inside the mosque. It was our first �Wow� moment, but unfortunately, our cameras didn�t capture the interior view very well. More reason for you to go there yourself. |
| Our first group dinner was held at an atrium-like restaurant of another hotel. Jerry was introduced to Turkey's unofficial national drink called raki. I loved our dessert. |
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| Day 1 |
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