Istanbul

Have been slack with my blog, have not had a lot of spare time to keep it up to date, also when we did have a bit of time the internet was not much good. Have got a bit of time sitting at the airport waiting for our flight so have got a chance to do some posting.

Istanbul is a very busy city, traffic is crazy, 20 million people live here, that is only 4 million less than Australia's entire population!

We visited the Blue Mosque which really was stunning. We really have been very privileged to see such wonderful sights.

Visited Ayasofya which had been a church, then a mosque and now a museum, the buiding was enormous.

Saw some of the ancient mosaics inside Ayasofya

We visited Topkapi Palace most impressive

We did a cruise along the Boshporus which was very enjoyable.

Lots of Mosques and the prayer call going out is really atmospheric.

We visited the spice market and got to go up stairs into one of the areas above the shop, then afterwards got caught in a human traffic jam trying to get out of the market, quite an experience.

Old Testament Country

In the township of Harran we visited Jacobs Well, then went back to Urfa where we saw Job's Cave and Well, Abraham's Cave and the Holy Fish Pool. We tried washing our hands in Job's We washed our hands in the water from Job's well which was supposed to make them look younger - still waiting.

Harran

Next Stop was Harran, the birthplace of Abraham. We got to look through the mud beehive houses which were very interesting. We met Ali Barbar who has two wives. His 21 year old daughter showed us through the place, she wants to be an English teacher and told one of the other ladies on the tour she never wants to marry. Our guide told us Ali Barbar said to him he wants to send his daughter away because she is always talking at him!

Syrian Refugees

On our way to the ancient city of Harran we drove down to the Syrian Border, past the refugee camp where 60,000 Syrians are housed. Over 1 million refugees are in Turkey, it really is a heart wrenching experience to see them and the situation they are in. Little kids came running up to the bus trying to sell us water.

Refugee Camp

Syrian Border

Me with two Syrian Refugees picking peppers in the field. We stopped and chatted to them for a while, we gave them water, food and some money. Some of the young men were university students and some of them spoke a little English. 

Turkey Adventure

Have come to Turkey on a study tour with mum. Life on tour has been pretty hectic, and really haven't had time to do my blog. We finally have some free time so thought I would try and remember what I have done and update my blog. We are on a two week tour and are on about Day 11, we have been to a number of different regions and each is so different. Turkey is certainly a land of contrasts and the people have been very welcoming. 

First stop was Urfa, a 90 minute flight from Istanbul down int the south east of Turley. They describe it as the birthplace of civilization and it certainly is. It is dry and harsh country, it was around 33 degrees each day and quite mystical when you heard the call to prayer echo across the city.

Looking across to the country where Abraham would have settled.

The remains of a pagan temple one of the first built after the great flood.

View of Urfa from the rooftop of our hotel.