Istanbul, Turkey

We arrived in Istanbul, Turkey the other day. It has taken a couple of days to get accustomed to the time change since there is an 8-hour difference from our home. I am guessing that it will still take a day or two to totally get acclimated to the different time zone.

Istanbul is nothing like we expected and yet, very much as we expected. There are many thing in Istanbul that reminds me of the states such as the modern mall. As you walk into this quad-level mall you feel as though you are in any major city in the United States. The major difference is that when we entered the mall, we had to go through a metal detector. That was interesting. As we left, it was the first time that I have ever seen a line where people were waiting to get 'into' a mall. :-)

The picture above is of the Mosque that is near by. As I am typing the "Call", know as the Call to Prayer is sounding. This "Call" sounds five times a day starting at 5:00am. Later this week I am hoping to visit the Mosque personally. I will blog more as time allows.