Day 2 First Day of Ramazan

Above is what I ate for dinner last night. The grand finale was my inner sweet tooth's favorite. 

Istanbul is the only major city that straddles two continents. Across the way there is Asia. We will go to that side later. 

Wow!  I keep pinching myself that I am actually here and experiencing such amazing times.  Today is the first day of Ramazan (Ramadan everywhere else). Muslims fast for the daylight hours and then break the fast at night with much feasting and celebration. It lasts for 30 days. They also use the time to examine their lives and remind themselves of virtues such as compassion, forgiveness and charity. It is also a time to not gossip, speak ill, etc.

There were crowds at the mosque waiting to break the fast. They do this with dates and light foods and then have a large feast late at night with family and friends at restaurants or at others' homes. I am enjoying so much this experience. 

Here is a run down of the day:

Breakfast here at the hotel includes such items as olives, tomatoes, and cold meats. Kids, when I get home we are converting. :-)

We went to a couple of hours of class this morning. We learned about alternative narratives to the "decline" narrative of the Ottoman Empire. So many social and cultural things happening, and it doesn't always have to be the testosterone-driven narrative of weakening armies and empire. This wasn't brand new to me, but much of what I'm learning is. 

We all went to a cafe for lunch. Delicious food here in Turkey!  We then went to a museum in an old traditional Turkish house/mansion near the edge of the Bosphorus after driving a bit. We saw ancient artifacts and a good selection of Ottoman items including the most astounding works of embroidery, a major handicraft of the era. No photos were allowed there unfortunately. 

We then boarded a boat and rode several miles of the Bosphorus, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. Gorgeous day! Perfect temp for a boat ride and gorgeous scenery!  Ended with a several course meal. Michelle and Leslie, the baklava here is incredible!

Our first lunch course besides salad. Anyone recognize any of these?  

Traditional Turkish house along the Bosphorus. This was the museum we went to. 

Yes, that is the Turkish flag with one happy girl on a gorgeous boat ride down the Bosphorus.