Day 43: Sat 9 Jul - Istanbul

Weather: fine, hazy 37deg

The restaurant at our hotel is on the roof level so breakfast is taken in picturesque surrounds; slowly. 

It was then off to the Haghia Sophia Museum, a Basilica (The Church of Divine Wisdom) built by the Romans in the 4th Century. It is similar in size to St Paul's Cathedral in London, only it is now completely empty. It is no longer a church and it is surrounded by mosques. The Muslims even used the Basilica as a mosque for 500 years during which time they destroyed or plastered over a great deal of the Christian decoration, especially any crosses. They have since uncovered some but now they let the pigeons fly in and out of the open windows and 1600 yr old Christian mosaics are slowly falling down. There appears to be a very token effort directed towards restoration and / or preservation. Maybe they should spend a little of the millions of lira they rake in every month from entrance fees, maybe they won't.    

It was then off to the Grand Bazaar, 4000 shops 64 streets 22 gates. Monstrous hive of little shops crammed full of useless stuff; only my opinion of course. Some people must find it useful as it is also crammed full of shoppers from all over the world. One thing you are glad to see at the Grand Bazaar is an exit. Tomorrow is another day, as they say in the classics.

Inside the Haghia Sophia