turkey: istanbul

We love Turkey. In August we had about a week of vaca and either side of a conference and just returned home last week. So we've got photos to share. First up, what may be the most beautiful city in the world (apologies to Budapest): Istanbul.

by day...

by night...
Kids in front of the early 17th century Blue Mosque...

All of us in front of the Aya Sophia - a 6th century church turned 15th century mosque turned 20th century museum...

Especially in light of the history, it is the most awe inspiring building we have even been in...

The Christian-era fresco of Mary and Jesus between two giant Ottoman period Qur'anical verse displays...
Ella in the grand bazaar...

Istanbul is a city surrounded by water - and cheap water taxis ferry residents across the Bosporus from Europe to Asia and back...

They seem to have an animal control problem, so Ella got to hold lots of kittens...

But for us, one of the most exiting things about Turkey is the food...

Silas got his first real American style hamburger (they have many McDonalds and BKs)...

The most interesting thing about our time in Istanbul this time is that it was during the Ramadan month of daylight fasting. So instead of just some tourists milling around the old city area, there were thousands of Turkish families out every night breaking fast together all over every piece of available ground. The party didn't start until the sun went down. Here we are in the midst of it one night...