Istanbul

 Istanbul has just become one of my favorite big cities. We spent four nights in the Kadiköy neighborhood on the Asia side. Kadiköy’s streets are lined with shops, bakeries, confectioners, outdoor restaurants, markets, everything. And there are people everywhere. Our last night—Friday night— the bars and restaurants were packed. I don’t think anyone was actually at home.

So pretty! The clothes in this shop were adorable!

And there are a lot of very contented street cats. People leave out food and water for them. You see them sleeping on cars in the warm sun in the morning, resting on ledges and in doorways, and lounging on cushions at restaurants. And there are dogs, too.

One of the dogs on his way somewhere 

The kitty in the back garden. She could open the screen door (which she did all the time!) and let herself in.

Cat looking statuesque at the Nuruosmaniye Mosque 

Yesterday we took the ferry to the European side across the Bosporus to see the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and some other sights. We did one of the free walking tours. It was great. The only downside to the day was that it was rainy and chilly. 

Outside the Hagia Sophia

The Blue Mosque

Inside the Nuruosmaniye Mosque 

The sahn (the outdoor courtyard) of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque