Istanbul Sights

We had a very full day of touring Istanbul.  We started at Topkapi Palace, the palace of the sultans of the Ottomon Empire.  Its a wonderful museum with clothing, jewels, armory and other artifacts of the Ottomon Empire. It was the home of the Ottomon sultans and the grounds are lush and beautiful with a view of the Bosporus.  My favorite place there is the hall with the relics of the prophets, including the arm of John the Baptist and various bits of the Prophet Muhammad, including a tooth and hairs from his beard!  In that set of rooms the Qur'an is read continuously so as you go through the exhibit you are listening the the chanting of the Qur'an.  On the way out you pass the person who is doing the chanting.  The Qur'an is recited in that space 24/7 every day of the year.  Its really lovely to listen to.  After that we went to the underground Roman Cistern Basilica, which is a really surreal, gorgeous underground cathedral, where the Romans built an enormous cistern.  Its cool and dark and beautiful underground there.  After that we went to lunch and then headed back to the Blue Mosque and then Hagia Sophia.  By then it was very late afternoon and we were all tired from walking all day, so we opted for an early evening boat cruise on the Bosporus.  That was lovely and we saw  the sunset as we were heading back.  By the time we got off the boat, it was gone 8:00 PM and then we went to dinner!  We got back to the hotel at about 10:30, having left at 8:00 AM!  It is amazing how lively Istanbul is at 10:00 on a Wednesday evening.  As we were driving back to the hotel (a long drive as we are out near the airport) it was astonishing to see how many people are out and about on the streets, with small night markets all over the place and people sitting out picnicking, having tea and coffee and walking around.  The place is really bustling with activity!  We were all pretty done in after our very long day and we have an early start tomorrow.  We fly to Izmir tomorrow and will visit Ephesus.  One night there and then on to Cappadocia the next day.  

I've included shots of Bonnie at Topkapi Palace, the cistern, the ceiling of the Blue Mosque and a sunset shot off the boat on the Bosporus.  

Last Day Conference

Today was a VERY long day.  We left the hotel at 8, got to the university at 8:40 and were in sessions non-stop from 9:00 through 7:30 PM!  Even our lunch had a speaker, so we were really pumping intellectually every minute of the day.  After the formal academic sessions were over in the late afternoon, we were treated to a performance by Sufi Whirling Dervishes. Then we had dinner and arrived back at the hotel by 9:30 PM.  Bonnie and I sat on the outside terrace for our evening cocktails and are about ready to crash.  We have an early start tomorrow for a packed day of touring Istanbul.  My presentation went well, even though it was the last formal session of the conference.  We had good attendance, much to my surprise!  

Bonnie got a cab out to the university in the mid afternoon so she was present at the session where I presented and then was there for the dervishes and dinner.  Earlier in the day she enjoyed time in the gym and lounging by the outdoor pool.  She's ready to hit the road touring after her couple of days of lounging in the hotel.  

I've included shots of me presenting and the whirling dervishes.  

Sacred Texts Conference 2014 - Day 1

Turkey Day 1 Sacred Texts Conference

We started early this morning with a 7:30 AM departure from our hotel to Fatih University.  We spent well over an hour in Istanbul rush hour traffic, arriving at the University about 8:40.  The conference was very intense, with a two hour opening session, followed by three academic sessions throughout the day, with a break for lunch, and a campus tour, lecture and dinner at the end of the day.  Given that many of us were still jet lagged, it made for some droopy attendees at various points throughout the day!  However, food and strong Turkish tea is always available so there are ways to jump start flagging engines!  My only complaint was that the hotel fitness center doesn't open until 7 AM so there's no way I can get there when we are leaving so early and by the time I get back I'm so stuffed with food that exercise is most definitely NOT an option!  (The baklava at dinner tonight was to die for.)We had some lively sessions and I've enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with scholars from all over the world who are engaged in interfaith conversations.   

Bonnie spent a quiet day, sleeping in, going to fitness center, sunning herself by the pool, visiting the outlet mall across the street from the hotel (getting very good at sign language so as to purchase wine, dinner and snacks!) and getting dinner at a local restaurant.  We finished the evening in the lobby bar, where I enjoyed my ritual G&T.  

Tomorrow I present my paper, last session of the day, so I expect exhausted, glassy eyed attendees who are only marginally present.  Bonnie is planning to take a taxi out to the University to attend my session and then stay for dinner. Tomorrow ends the academic part of the conference and Wednesday we start touring.  

The pics today are shots of Dr. Shafiq opening the conference, the Sufi musicians who were playing music as we settled in this morning, the life size chess board that is in the main hall of the academic building we are in for the conference (students walk by and move the pieces around in a multi-person game of chess throughout the day!) and a shot of the University.  

I'm exhausted from the non-stop interaction all day.  Hoping to sleep better tonight so that I am more with it tomorrow!

Arrived!

We arrived and got to our hotel about 11:30.  The rooms were not ready so we literally napped in the hotel lobby until 1:30 and got to our room about 2.  We then took a real nap, (having not slept on the plane all night thanks to a screaming toddler two rows in front of us!) and then got up and showered and presentable for dinner with the conference group. We were bused from our hotel, which is out near the airport, down to the center of the city, near the Blue Mosque for dinner in a little cafe.  Bonnie captured the food on her phone!  At this point we're crashing as I have to be on the bus to the conference by 7:30 am tomorrow!  More anon...

Off to Turkey!

Bonnie and I are on our way to Istanbul.  I'm participating in an interfaith conference being held at Fatih University.  Two days of academic work and then five days of touring Turkey as guests of the Peace Islands Institute.  Looking forward to great times!

First substantive post will likely be Monday.  More anon....