Blue Mosque in Colors

Here is the Blue Mosque in colors this time.

I am very ill last three days, so sorry for not being very active.

When I feel better, I will visit you all back...

The Blue Mosque

The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 by order of the Sultan Ahmed I, after whom it is named. It is located in the oldest part of Istanbul, in what was before 1453 the centre of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire . It is next to the site of the ancient Hippodrome , and a short distance from (Hagia Sophia).
The mosque became known in the west as the Blue Mosque because of the predominantly blue coloring of paintwork of the interior. However this blue paint was not part of the mosque's original decor so it is being removed. Today the interior of the mosque does not strike the visitor as being particularly blue.

It is another "must see" in Istanbul.

Colors

This is how the young women dresses in Anatolia. Nowadays only in the weddings, but in the past, this was how they looked like all the time. Full of color. Took this photo in Sultan Ahmet; the area where the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia is. Picture was for sale at a very reasonable price.

Car Carrier

When I was out to Spice Bazaar yesterday, it was windy cold and snowing and this Ferryboat captain was having very difficult time in docking. I was glad, my car was not on that Ferry. Normally, with weather like that, the Ferryboats would be canceled. But somehow, not yesterday.

Pastirma ( Pastrami )

One legend recounts that Turkic horsemen of Central Asia used to preserve meat by placing slabs of it in the pockets on the sides of their saddles, where it would be pressed by their legs as they rode. This pressed meat was the forerunner of today's Pastirma.

Beef, preferably young, is the most common meat today, various meats are also used, including camel, lamb, goat, and water buffalo.
It is prepared by pressing the meat to squeeze out its water, then covering it with a cumin paste called cemen , prepared with crushed cumin, fenugreek, garlic ( lots of garlic as Emeril says) and hot paprika and air-drying it.

Johnny Guitar

No, I do not play guitar.

I just find this guitar very colorful and it caught my eye.

It is not something that I see everyday...

Collapsed Building In Istanbul

Thank you all, for asking about that collapsed building in Istanbul.

Unfortunately, 2 people died, because the contractors were more interested in making their money, than peoples safety.

Thanks again, for all your messages.

Uuups !

It happens to everybody, once in a while...

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower was built in1384.

It was the highpoint in the city walls of the Genoese colony called Galata.

Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi , who lived in the 17th century in Istanbul, is one of the first aviators to have succeeded in flying with artificial wings. He is supposed to have been inspired by and used the studies of Leonardo da Vinci on the flight of birds. He started flying from the Galata Tower and managed to fly over the Bosphorus.

Now, it is used as a restaurant and is a "must see" in Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia

Ayasofya Museum, is a former Eastern Orthodox church converted to a mosque in 1453 by the Turks, and converted into a museum in 1935. It is considered one of the great buildings in history ; according to Wikipedia.

It is a candidate for the selection of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It stands for Faith & Respect.

You can vote here.

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

During my long "reading weekend" I found some time to bake Double Chocolate Muffins. When I put my little treat on the table to get my camera, I realized that somebody was staring at my muffin:)

Don't expect a posting from me tomorrow, I will be at the Gym all day ....

Reading all Weekend

It is cold & rainy

Reading Tolstoy , War& Peace

Wishing everybody a nice & cozy weekend....

It's Warm In Here

Early in the morning these babies were cat-napping on the hood of the car. It was cold outside but they realized that it is warm due to the engine heat. To get closer , I had to be very carefull to take this photo, I did not want to scare them and I realized that the one on the left, was also sleeping . He's eyes were closed. Isn't that cute?

Cemetery Looking Over the Golden Horn

Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari was the companion and standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. He came to Istanbul with the Arab army during the first attempted Muslim conquest of the city, died and as his last request was buried there. After the city was taken, Sultan Mehmet ordered a tomb, be constructed over Abu Ayyub's resting place and a Mosque constructed in his honour. From that point; the Golden Horn, became something of a 'sacred place', the mosque containing a stone said to bear the footprint of the Prophet Mohhamed. Many Ottoman officials wished to be buried at or near the site of Abu Ayyub's resting place. The cemetery became one of Istanbul's most desirable final resting places. Being outside the city walls, the area has long been used as a place of burial. There are Christian churches and cemeteries in the area as well as a large Muslim cemetery.

Church Looking Over the Goldern Horn

I took a boat trip to the Golden Horn today, even though it was cloudy and rainy.
The minute I saw this church, we were passing , I ran out on the deck to take a picture. Lucky me, the captain was nice enough to slow the boat down and move in closer.

The Bulgarian St. Stephen Church is famous for being made of cast iron. The prefabricated parts, weighing 500 tons , were produced in Vienna in 1893-1896 and transported to Istanbul by ship. After one and a half years' work, the church was completed in 1898.

Happy Valentine's Day

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart."

~Author Unknown

Wooden flowers for that special one....

Lucky Cat

I have been told that this Gentleman comes down to the mosque and feeds all the animals every single morning.

This lucky cat was getting some extra tender loving care also.

Fountains

There are about 800 fountains in the city. Every one of these fountains are named according to either its location or the architectural structure. Main types are; corner fountains, three and many faced fountains, hollow fountains, column fountains, public square fountains and fountains with a praying area. The government aims to leave no fountain that is not working in any part of our beautiful city. A comprehensive restoration study takes place to revive the historic water facilities of İstanbul in collaboration with the universities and other institutions. This one is a very small one, I will post some other giant fountain photos on the coming days, with their history.

Fish Sandwich

Fish Sandwich with salad and a soft drink (coke or fanta); US $ 2,- only.

Available on the ferry terminals.

If the weather is good, they sell those in boats; tax free :)

Shoe Shopping

These are hand- made leather shoes. The shop is in a touristic area. Shop owner said, that the locals are not showing interest in this shoes, but tourists love them. He said, he has been in this business for over 27 years and he did not get rich but it is ok :) Me? I just loved them ! I can't get enough of shoes...

Tile Work

Tile work is a very common gift idea in Turkey. Almost everybody has some ceramic or glass tile work at their house. It comes as an ash trey, bowl, wine glass or whatever you can imagine. I found this shop interesting because I didn't see those cats before. They are cute, aren't they?

Sabuncakis Flower Shop

Since 1874

I thought, since Valentine Day is coming, you might want to consider a bouquet for your love or loved ones.

Sundried Fish

Dried mackarel is usually a companion for Turkish Raki. It should be prepared with vinegar and some herbs, before serving. Price was under a dollar per piece.

Nostalgic Tramway

When I start to post photos about Taksim, I realized that almost everything is historical here. First of all, all buildings are over 50 years old, there are plenty of churches, mosques around, same old age...High schools, Mc Donald's is in a historical building. Even transportation....This is the so called nostalgic tramway. It picks you up from the Tunnel and brings you to Taksim Square. More history? Click here.

Accordion Bread

What would be the best thing to do on a snowing, ice cold Sunday?

Stay in and bake...