We are in Istanbul to stay now and started our morning looking at maps (many of them primary sources) of Istanbul across time, beginning in the 4th century. We then moved to Byzantine maps, artistic drawings showing location during the siege of Constantinople during 1453, on through the Ottoman times until now. We discussed various time frames and maps in small groups before sharing our learning all together. We discussed what the maps got "right" and "wrong" and the perspective of the maps. I enjoyed the group activity and enjoyed how it allowed us to rethink perspective from a different angle than just a written primary source. Our reading for today did that. We read from an Ottoman period traveler I should have mentioned by now named Evliya Chelebi who has helped is along the way. He is quite entertaining and adds great perspective (albeit from an egocentric elitist of the time) to our learning.
Today Macet (pronounced Majit) our guide, pulled out this little mascot for us to be able to find him in the busy streets of Istanbul. I think this bear needs a name.
We then went to where the Hippodrome was close to our hotel. This was a giant arena built by Justinian I and used for games and festivals. It was also where he gathered up his political opponents (with the urging of his wife Theodora--a powerful woman for her time) and had them slaughtered. The above photo is at the base of the Egyptian column (built in Egypt in 1500 ish bc) and brought here suing the Byzantine era by Theodosius, it is thought.
Also there is a Constantine column.
We then went to the Sultanhamet or Blue Mosque, a gargantuan building and the one I can see right outside my hotel window.
This is the attire gauge. They have coverings for you here if you are not appropriately dressed.
This has a giant dome, bigger than any others we have seen and has six minarets, scandalous because the only other one that had that was near Mecca.
Blue Mosque. It is called that because at dawn and dusk the domes especially have a bluish hue.
A panoramic of the mosaic tile museum we went to, which is close to the Blue Mosque. These mosaics are still beautiful after centuries. They started only really being preserved in the last 50-60 years. This one is the largest single piece and is in the ground where it originally lay.
I put up my finger to show how tiny these tiles are. It is truly skilled artistry.
One of the shopping bazaars.
Spice heaven with a little "Love Tea."
The marking point for the city of Istanbul.
This was one of my favorite sites. Haunting down here. Thy perform classical music concerts down here. Would love to come and go to one. The water would be almost to the ceiling during full storage. Beautiful how Istanbul has restored it, put in walkways, play ney music, etc.
Luke and Terence. Look has become the promo model for Primany Source. He has the mannequins at the museum reading our materials. (Ok, I know that is only going to be funny for our group, all you readers out there, but bear with the inside jokes. They will make for my happy memories)
We had a group meeting with teachers at BAU. An education coordinator there set this up over a year ago with Primary Source. We had an interesting and spirited discussion comparing and contrasting school systems in our countries as well as discussions about how history is taught, particularly the history of the Ottomans.
My discussion group. I admit being only slightly distracted at the view of the Bosphorus. I brought each of the Turkish teachers and admin at my table a bag of Wyoming huckleberry taffy with my business card in it. I admit that it helped my popularity and got me some good connections for some global collaboration for my classroom in the future. That is my passion. So excited.
Teachers from our group giving a brief overview of the American educational system.
Cocktail party after with magnificent views and great continued conversations about education and other fun stuff, like Turkish slang.
At dinner after we played a joke on our tour guide by ALL raising our hands when it came time to say who wanted vegetarian. The group has been growing due to the ample supply of Turkish meat. He laughed and laughed. I will post pics later, but mostly, you had to be there.
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