TURKISH DELIGHT!!

We just returned from 4 days training in Istanbul, Turkey.  We had a great adventure.

Excitement.....there were flowers!

Our bus negotiated the busy freeway, snarled city streets and this narrow cobblestone road.

Selnur, Hira and Sener Orhon were very gracious hosts our first night.

From the bridge connecting Asian and European Istanbul- guy in red is fishing.

An ornate gate we drove past.

These signs didn't help a bit when we got lost walking back to our hotel.

Our hotel-Celal Sultan
From hotel roof terrace looking toward the palace.

We came across our granddaughter's Istanbul cafe.

Inside the Grand Bazaar
One of many silver shops in the bazaar.

One of many ceramic shops.....

more souvenir shops.

The Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque
Inside the Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia by day and then below, at night.

Walking in Istanbul...no ice, puddles, mud or slush! (That was the real Turkish delight!)

FOOD
Anyone for baklava?

or candy and pastries...

or Turkish Delights?

One misstep and there are no simits for lunch.

This man is selling all kinds of nuts, except roasted chestnuts.

This is the roasted chestnut man.

This is the simit man...they are like soft pretzels or bagels.

Ships in Bosphorus Strait-Istanbul
Up, up and away to Russia.  We had a heavenly time with 12 other CES missionary couples from Eastern Europe.  When our co-ordinator sends the group photos and people photos, I will post them.