sensory overload...in a good way

 

blue mosque

this past weekend my senses were highly stimulated, all in a good way. i was lucky enough to take an amazing, last minute trip to istanbul, turkey! i really had noooooo idea of what to expect. i had learned that istanbul was the only city on two continents, i was told that you should keep your purse close as the crowds were large, and people mentioned that the men could be quite "rude". no one told me that this weekend trip would make me feel like i had really stepped into a foreign country.

many times when i am traveling, i feel that i could be in america. spain reminded me of california, the open fields of holland remind me of the midwest, but I could find absolutely no comparison for istanbul. the sights, the sounds, and the culture let you know immediately that you were somewhere different, somewhere foreign.

amazing tiles

i toured mosques full of amazing blue tiles, ancient rituals and unique symbols. i walked the streets of the city with the women dressed in burkas, as the chants of the "call to prayer" haunted my ears. in the spice market and the grand bazaar my eyes took in the strongest of colors, and i smelled the most amazing smells. i was in crowds so large that i was terrified of loosing my friends.

spice market

i came home from the weekend completely exhausted, i had taken almost five hundred photos, and it didn't seem like i had even begun to capture the mystique of this city. istanbul was a once in a lifetime trip! i learned about a new culture, ate amazing food, strengthened friendships and created new ones!

thank you istanbul for showing me such a wonderful time!

crazy crowds

istanbul at night