So let me tell you about Topkapi palace. We walk in the first enormous gate and we're in the first enormous courtyard, the church where the Second Ecumenical council met is on your left and the seven chimneys of the mile long kitchen is on your right. We first went through the collection of beautiful dishes of all ages (some dating beack several centuries). Then we entered the second courtyard and toured the vast collection of silver. The final gate was the ceremonial gate for coronations...attached to that was the room that the Ottoman empire was governed from for 400 years. Literally we were standing in places where some of the greatest minds in history reasoned and debated and governed. OVERWHELMING. Next was the treasure room, there was an 86 karat diamond!!! Everyone had the Aladdin song running through their head. Remember the pictures you saw of sultans reclining on jeweled thrones in extravagant headwear? It was all there, gold thrones coated in rubies and emeralds, boxes of jade, daggers of silver, gold, and precious stones, thrones of mother of pearl and ebony, crowns of jade, rubies, and diamonds, crystal treasure boxes full of precious jewels, the list goes on and on. It was insane but not quite as impressive as I thought it would be, it was all just stuff behind glass that tourists pay money to look at but can't take pictures of... just stuff. Lastly, was the ultimate treasure room... it was full of ancient relics like Abraham's bowl, Moses' staff, Joseph's turban, John the Baptist's arm, Abu Bakr's sword, and Muhammed's beard. Like I said overwhelming and a little strange, it was hard to believe that all of that stuff was real.
After the palace the firls went to a turkish bath. :) It was pretty much amazing, it felt like we had gone back to greco-roman times in this huge marble room filled with steam and beautiful fountains of hot water.
The next morning, Skylar, Jenny, and I walked through the light rain to an ancient tower, pretty cool. Ok that's it for Turkey, next is Berlin.
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2 comments:
Hey Sweetie,
Love the history lesson-very descriptive. I am sure with your studies it is hard to keep up with blog. But as always you are doing an amazing job. I guess we are not going to hear about Berlin until after you return from London:).
We love you and miss you. We are having difficulty connecting to Skype on our home computer, may try up at the office. We continue to keep you in our prayers. xoxoxoxox
i love you...umm...i would love to see all the things you are seeing! london will be so fun this weekend:) if you get to go to the countryside...it's like a fairy tale:) you are amazing...continue to enjoy this amazing season of your life...
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