The day started with a tour of the amazing Hagia Sophia (Divine Wisdom). Our guide did such a wonderful job of shepherding us through the stories of the birth and life of Mary as depicted in the mosaics. We felt like we got the special inside stories. At one point, he started talking in Turkish, then explained that we had some hangers-on and he was getting rid of them by pretending it was not an English speaking tour. Next we visited the Cistern - an underground reservoir for the palace ... HUGE with recycled columns from other lands.
Ahmed took us for lunch (lentil soup, kebobs and baklava) then we went to the archaeology museum, where we saw the Alexander Sarcophagus, so named because it clearly shows Alexander with his lion helmet in battle.
and artifacts dating back to 900 BC! They had glass items from 100 BC. It amazes me that glass can survive that long without breaking.
We ended the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Such a wonderful day. We are blessed to have this opportunity.
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