Weddings in Istanbul
9.40
from Copenhagen Airport.
Stopover in
Belgrade where I had lunch.
Landed at
16:00 at Istanbul Airport. It was an hour to the hotel, located in the old
town.
I oriented
myself a bit in the vicinity of the hotel. Had dinner at a restaurant and then
went to bed.
The French
family had arrived at the same hotel at midnight. We met in the lobby and found
a place to have breakfast. Then we went for a walk through the city past the
Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofia) to the banks of the Golden Horn at the
Galata Bridge. Here there were ferries sailing to Kadiköy
on the Asian side of Bosperus.
We took the
ferry over. Here we found a restaurant with a view where we had lunch. Then we
went for a walk through the city and came across some people singing and
playing folk songs. Later we found the bazar area where we went for a walk. We
had to wait a while for the ferry. Ingrid and I were tired, so we found a place
where we could have a cup of coffee while the young people went on to discover
even more.
Under
the Galata bridge there are many fine restaurants. After coming back from Kadiköy, we found one of them where we had dinner. We had a
formidable dinner. Two whole fried fish cooked at the table. We had the hike
through town back and it was getting late before we got to bed.
Niels
Kristian had arranged a guided tour for the entire visiting family. They were
going to see the main sights of the old town. I had opted out in advance
because I would rather go alone, and I also had some things I should have
bought.
I started
by taking the tram to the Spice Bazar. There I walked around for a couple of hours,
and I also got to eat lunch. Then I walked the long way over to Topkapi palace. I started with the Harem (which the rest of
the family in k k e got to see) Then I saw all the
rest of the palace and there was m e g e t to see. I was dead tired after that
lap.
Back at the
hotel, I rested for an hour. The French family was back, and we went out for
dinner.
Niels
Kristian had invited to a reception and boat trip on Bosperus.
Meeting time 16:30.
So, I had a
morning to myself and chose to see the Blue Mosque with Ingrid. However, access
was only for devotional seekers. Friday is the Muslim holiday. Ingrid went home
to the hotel and I tried to get in and see Aya Sofya.
Same negative result. It has recently reopened as a mosque.
Jean Luc
had arranged taxi to the place where the boat was to depart. It took almost an
hour to drive up there.
Here I met Guzide and Niels Kristan as well as the entire Danish
family for the first time. There were free drinks and canapés, and we talked
about what we had experienced. There was also dancing.
Back at our
hotel, we agreed that we could eat a little more. We had dinner at a restaurant
near the hotel.
I had
another morning off, and Ingrid and I finally got to see the Blue Mosque. I
also managed to shower in a Hammam. Massage, steam room, washing. However, the
steam room was replaced by a sauna. Then it was back to the hotel to change
into fine clothes.
Niels
Kristian had arranged for transport from our hotel to the place where the
wedding was held. It all took place in the open air at a hotel on top of a
mountain overlooking Bosperus. There was it all,
wedding ceremony, bridal waltz and wedding cake. And
then Turkish music took hold. A drummer walked around between the dancing
couples and hammered the beat. We could hardly hear what we were saying.
The
music stopped abruptly at twelve. Then there was an afterparty for those who
had the energy for it. Kirsten and Svend, Ingrid and I went home to our
respective hotels. I was in bed at two. The young Frenchmen came home at four
o'clock.
The French
family had to go home. We had breakfast near the hotel. At twelve o'clock their
taxi drove from the hotel to the airport. I did say goodbye properly and then I
had an afternoon to myself.
I went to
see Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofia). Unfortunately, I didn't get to see all the famous
mosaics. I didn't have my guidebook with me, and I couldn't find them. It will
have to wait until next time.
Then it was
time to eat dinner and pack before I went to bed early.
I was up 5:30. I booked taxi for 6:00. I was due to fly from Sabiha Gökcen, which is the other major airport in the area and located on the Asian side of Bosperus. The flight departed 9:40 and it went directly to Copenhagen.