Everywhere you look . . .

And while Istanbul has plenty of market place to part you from your money, it hasn't been sanitized for tourists.  It's gritty and very real, full of people going about their day.  It's obviously Muslim, the women are all covered in scarves and overcoats. 

They allow non-Muslims in the mosques as long as all heads, shoulders and knees are covered.  Beautiful doesn't come close to describing them.  The mosaics and intricate tiling brought tears to my eyes.

These guys were in a "smoking bazaar."  Um, smoking. 

This is my friend Magnet (Mahn yay) from Peru.  She and I wandered together that day and I taught her the difference between the word Mosque and mask.  Mask was hard because there isn't a vowel sound like our "ask" in Spanish. 

Rules of the road . . .

The view from below.  Amazing.

and now inside the spice bazaar -- what a place

Magnet being a poser because I asked her to.

and holding one of the delightful little vases of Turkish tea the shop people love to share with you.

I just thought this man was so cute sitting there.

I'm sure he thought I was totally weird.  He didn't offer me a cup of tea.

Another shot of the second mosque.

And one more of men smoking and playing backgammon.

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