Our first full day - Cistern, Blue Mosque, and dinner

We both slept until 10 am and just made breakfast in the rooftop room where it is served.  We have a view of the Blue Mosque from there.  Still jet lagged and a rainy day so lounged around our room some more and finally went out mid afternoon and walked to the Basilica Cistern next to Haggia Sophia (Aya Sofya here) which we didn't get to last trip.  Not a great loss but interesting on a second go round.

 

The water is about 2 feet deep and many carp live in it

 View as you enter

Ceilings

It was built to provide water for the city of Istanbul during the 6th century CE. It is  a huge  underground  space  with  336 marble columns, which are supported by arches.

One f the 2 mesusa heads. The other is upside down.

Two Medusa heads, were used as pedestals at the bottom of two columns in one corner of the cistern. It is not known why they were placed there or why they are positioned as they are.  Many myths surround them.  The cistern was used as a location for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love which I remember seeing in the late 60's and recognized the Cistern when I saw it.

 

From there we walked over to the Blue Mosque though it was time for prayer and not open to the public

 

Haggia Sophia from the Blue Mosque

 

 

There are MANY small restaurants in the area with heated outdoor, and indoor seating.  Each has a menu on view and a "salesman" (all men) whose job is to entice you to come in.  Some are overbearing and cause us to run off , some have learned to let you browse the menu in peace,  some bring you tea while you are looking.  This man was a delight.  We actually had a long conversation with him about food, holidays, Islam,  tourists, his mother's cooking.  We did eat there in a window seat and he would wave to us periodically. 

 

I LOVE this bread.  It is the consistency of a crispy roll but like a popover inside - hollow.  It is served with various dipping or spreading goodies such as cucumber yogurt,  olives in good olive oil,  butter,  feta cheese, etc.  This is before....

This is during.....

This is after

 

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