Istanbul - Tile Museum

Inside the Archaeology Museum  - there is this little cute building called the Istanbul Turkish Tile Museum: Official Name "TILED KIOSK MUSEUM"

 

 
 

In the Tiled Kiosk Museum, tiles and pottery chosen from these collections are exhibited: There are artifacts from the Seljuk era in the room left to the entrance, slip casted artifacts from Miletus in the iwan on the left that is opening to outside, artifacts made in İznik in the middle gallery and in the room with five corners, artifacts made in Kütahya in the room at the right corner facing the Gülhane Park, and artifacts made in Çanakkale in the right iwan opening to outside.

 

Exhibiting around 2000 artifacts belonging to the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, dating from the 11th-20th centuries. These artifacts include those that existed when the museum was incorporated into the İstanbul Archaeological Museums due to its closeness and those acquired through excavations, purchases, donations and confiscations.

I did not expect much from this little cornered museum, but reminded me how beautiful and rich these cultures were. Elegantly handcrafted tiles decorated the wall, floor, and even the ceilings, It was a nice adventure.



Istanbul - Valens Aqueduct

Valens Aqueduct - major water system when it was dated back to Constantinople completed late 4th century AD.

 

Althought this Aqueduct was built for Roman Citizens in Byzantine era, it was restored and rebuilt through Ottoman Empire and was in working condition until 1950s.

All that is left right now is just few hundred meters long in the City center.

Istanbul - Getting Inside the Blue Masque

Blue Masque: The largest and the most beautiful Islam temple in the World. It has 6 Minarets outside and facing the Hagia Sofia. It is visible from a far and recognized by the 6 minerets.

Commissioned by Sultan Ahmet and Designed by Mehmet Aga, this is truly a wonder.

Began working in 1609 and took 7 years to complete the temple.

Once you get into the temple, there is the inner garden with fountain in the center.

This is where you can wash your feet before you get into the Temple

Go through the narrow entrance and either you have to take off your shoes and walk inside on bare feet, or you can cover your shoes with tourist friendly plastic bags provided outside. Well, I am an Asian, walking on bare foot is something I am very customed to, so I chose to go on my bare feet.

The carpet inside was very clean and soft. It felt good on my feet. Of course, I am a female, so I had to cover my Hair inside the temple. Inside the temple, back area is blocked off so the tourist can't go up to the front. And (this was actually not so surprising), there were separate section in the back for Women and Foreigners.

My visit hour was NOT during the prayer hours. So the temple was empty and quite.

Istanbul Food Food Food!!! Part 4

Street Vendor Food Donut??? = 1 Lira ($0.5 USD)

Street Food in Istanbul also offers a large varieties as well. Corn, Many different nuts, Picked Vegetables, Fish Sandwiches..... etc.... and this. At first, I was not sure what it was. The vendor cart had many different types bread... such as bagel looking, pretzel looking...... I wasn't going to try, but thought... I am here so, let's try. It tasted nutty, very similar to Pretzel...but fried..... anyway.... No Dips, or Sauce comes with it... I was thinking it would be better with some type of Jam or Jelly...

Istanbul Food Food Food!!! Part 3

Pomegranate Juice = 5 Lira ($2.5 USD)

I am going to have to say, I get very skeptical about 100% Juice in America. Even though it says it is 100%, they tend to add sugar... and other stuff. But there in Istanbul, the cook actully squeezed the whole pomegrate into the glass and stuck a straw. I was very very impressed. But the taste was of course... not sugary. But felt I was becoming healthy and satisfied with the feeling that I was doing something good for my body.

Hot Tea = 2 Lira ($1 USD) 
Apple Tea = 1 Lira ($0.5 USD)

There is something you must try in Istanbul. Hot Tea. They are everywhere. They are in Bistros, Restaurants, even on the Bosphorus River Cruize. it is hot and very tasty. If you want, you can add sugar to the tea, but I liked as is.

There is also apple tea, a bit more expensive than the regular hot tea, but it is sweater. Good with Desert.

Latte with Salmon Sandwich = 20 Lira ($10 USD)

This Little Delight at the outdoor cafe in the Istanbul Archaelogy Museum (Located in the same district as Topkapi Palace) cost me more money than the super fancy restaurant I went near my hotel. But can't complain, I got to have a little taste of home... was worth $10 usd.

Istanbul Food Food Food!!! Part 2

Chicken Shish Dish = 12.5 Lira ($6 USD)

Well what can I say, Turkey and Shish kebab... Wasn't anything special for me, but since I was in Istanbul..... I might as well as have it. First day, after touring the Topkapi Palace, stoped at this local restaurant and had the dish. I was not able to get a outdoor table, the place was packed, but it was not bad

Turkish Pizza = 8 Lira ($4 USD)

The hotel lobby clerk recommended I should taste the turkish pizza at least once. So I did. Didn't realize the portion size.. it was amazingly large, comes 3 in 1 dish. The crust is very thin so I would put some lettuce and roll  and eat it. Unlike american pizza, was not greesy and light. I was not able to finish all three, but very satisfied.

Bean Soup with Rice and Salad = 5 Lira ($2.5 USD)

I thought Bean Soup was somewhat Western food, but there they were, athentic Turkey Food, Bean Soup. It was very long morning, went to couple different attractions and had the bean soup as late afternoon lunch. It was filling and delicous.

Istanbul Food Food Food!! Yum~~~~ Part 1.

I would say, out of all the places I have been to, Istanbul was by far the Best for Food. Cheap does not mean yukky. Cheap can mean... local, fresh, and yummy~~~ Since the city is splitted right in the meeting by the Bosphorus River, the city offers great range of seafood especially fish. I am a big fish eater so it was food heaven for me.




Bosphorus River Fish Sandwich (balık ekmek) = 5 Lira (About $2.5 USD)

This fish sandwich is exclusive in Istanbul near the Bosphorus River. It is nothing but a piece of bread (Similar to french baguette), grilled fish and onions and some green lettuce. Some people would put some salt and lemon juice as they eat the sandwich. 

Don't get me wrong, it is very fishy and oniony. But as I am a big fish eater, I loved it loved it loved it and during my 7 nights stay, I had this sandwich almost every night. Strangly, this sandwich was cheapter than a can of soda.

Fried Anchovies (Hamsi) and Pickled Beets = 8.5 Lira (about $4 USD)
Another fabulous Fish dish I encoutered in Istanbul. Seating outdoor patio looking over the Bosphorus River at night, eating Fried Anchovies and a glass of ice cold beer~~~~. The fish was not smelly and seasoned well. Awesome for Late night Snack.

On the way to the National Theater Washington DC

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Page, my dear boss, said she had just bought two tickets to the musical Les Miz at the National Theater and said couldn't make it anymore. How she found out I am a Theater Maniac.... besides the fact that I sing Songs from Musicals all the time in my little office, or always talk about how I love to go to New York to see the shows, she offered the tickets to me and Torre, my coworker at $20. Later found out the ticket was worth $128. 

Torre and I took the Metro from Braddock to Metro Station on Blue Line, and took some crazy pix on the way to the Theater.