Still posting photos from Istanbul, Tue, Apr. 14.

The SD card on Kim's camera filled (she took over 1,000 photos), so in Hagia Sophia she spent about half an hour sorting through pictures, deleting duplicates and out-of-focus shots so she'd have space. We bought a second 2 GB card later that day.

Istanbul, like many cities, had lots of contrasts.
Of course there was the modern mixed with the

ancient. We saw women who were covered in conservative Muslim clothing from head to foot, and there were belly dance shows and women provocatively dressed. There were very nice well-maintained areas and there were buildings literally crumbling and trash piled.

The video below shows Kim twirling her hand around the Stele of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus . We're still waiting for her to receive her miracle.



All the rest of the pix are also Hagia Sophia, so I'll just include them here. No commentary - links in yesterday's blog provide all the info. Just trying to finish posting all my Istanbul pictures.

This is taken out one of the 2nd floor windows. In the distance you can see dome and minarets of the Blue Mosque. In the foreground is all Hagia Sophia.

This is also out the Hagia Sophia windows looking up at one of the minarets.

After all the barrel-vaulted ceilings, I just thought this ceiling pattern was different so I took a picture.

That's all the pictures from Agia Sophia, but I still have more Istanbul pictures for tomorrow's post.