…and now the rest of the story
SO the previous post was referring to my day on the 22nd of July. On the 23rd Sabre and I were lead around by her friend Aktin (Pronounced AK-En) he is probably one of the smartest people I have ever met. Or at least one of the most book smart people. For instance in the archeological museum we walked through an exhibit of pottery, and he announced that he had just read a book about the history of pottery in Turkey. Who does that??? I do not know, but it was helpful. He knew Greek, along with every other language, and attempted to teach me some Greek grammar. To say the least I am hoping that Greek class at the UO will stick better.
After the Museum we went to the Topkapi palace, it was beautiful and we saw a huge diamond. Also we saw Muhammad’s beard, and his footprint. It was actually an intense experience, because there were many many Muslims around us who were crying and very… over stimulated by the whole experience. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch then, I had a pastry with meat, or in American we would call that a potpie. It was the bomb, a taste from home. They sure do know how to make their pastries right in Turkey.
After the Palace we went – at long last- to the grand bazaar! It was so intense; there are over 4,000 shops in this one huge bazaar. Impossible to describe, some shopkeepers were friendly, others pushy, and they all wanted to give you a cup of tea. At one point we turned a corner and there were hundreds of men seated on the ground, preying. It was a beautiful sight, whether you believe in “Allah” or “God” to me they are the same in the end, so I was happy to see many people devoting time in there daily life to prayer. Our local friend was more taken aback by the sight then I would have thought but we moved on quickly, Sabre and I each got a lamp and some scarves.
At this point we were exhausted, so we made our way back to the ship to shower and rest before the Dervish Ceremony. The SAS dervish ceremony was interesting. We were both disappointed on the way there to find that the ceremony we were going to was a performance, and that quite possibly the whirlers were merely performers, not involved in the Sufi Dervish religious practices. Look it up on you tube, it’s hard to describe what they did and it sounds lame in writing. But pretty much it is like 5 men whirling around the room to be closer with god. It was great though, very beautiful. We were unfortunately not allowed to take pictures or video, and I didn’t because I thought it was disrespectful. So I bought some postcards, and Sabre, in keeping with tradition, bought the CD.
Today (Saturday) I went on an “Islamic practices and arts” tour, yes I did go on a ridiculous amount of religious tours in Istanbul, but it is a religious place and I am a religious person so it made since. Anyway we went to a Mosque that was pretty far out of town. There I learned and saw a few very interesting things:
1- Islamic people still sacrifice a Ram (yes a real ram) for every male son born. In keeping with the tradition of Abraham and Isaiah. We did not see the rams being sacrificed, but we did see them. I was very sad to see this… it is one difference between my religion and theirs that makes me sad. Jesus died so we don’t need to sacrifice animals…
2- Boys at the age of 7 or 9 are circumcised. The weeks leading to their circumcision they go to famous mosques in these intense white outfits preying and inviting people to their circumcision party. Yes this of what our guide called it, people come and after the doctor does the duty, people come in and give the boy gifts and stuff. It’s like a coming of age thing.
3- Apparently I either looked Muslim, or religious or like I needed a prayer, or as one of the professors guessed like I should merry some ladies son. Because I was standing outside the Mosque, with my head scarves on out of respect. When this little old women came through the crowd to me and grabbed my arm, and started speaking in what I think was Arabic, I caught “Allah” a few times in the jumble. It was interesting, I felt very much like it was a prayer for me because she was smiling the whole time. And she ended with an English “bless you” It was a sweet moment, one I probably will never forget,
We then ventured onto the blue mosque, which I have described before. And then an Islamic art museum, which had some very cool old books in it. I love old books, is there a profession where I can spend all my time reading and looking though old books? Oh yes a Historian! (Professor)
After the trip, I had a PB&J and ventured to the spice market and bazaar with Sam (the same girl I went to the Barcelona aquarium with) we had a great time and I bought some very pretty fabric for some dresses and a few gifts.
Tonight I lead bible study (Mark 5:21-43) and it went pretty well, it is odd having such a large group but I guess that if GIV grows at the UO I will have to get used to it, and maybe figure out a better system.
Time for me to catch up on all my drawings for class… then write an essay. Oh summer school, if I could only get credit without all the work.
EGYPT IN 2 DAYS!!
Loves,
Cris
