Istanbul Continued

The Bosphorous boat trip seemed to drag on forever, but I can now say that I've been on the Asian continent, seen an authentic Turkish dance, palaces of powerful men long dead and vacation homes of the living which I never hope to afford. I managed to meander back through the city without using the tram, through sheer dumb luck, brought me through the spice bazaar, textile bazaar and grand bazaar. I could not plan it better if I tried. It was good to see the grand bazaar a second time, because there is a religious holiday today and for the next four days that shuts down the grand bazaar. I went from chamber to chamber of treasure stacked from floor to coiffured ceiling. The fakes were so good, only the most scrutinous of buyers could deliniate between imposter and the genuine article. I went into one run down shop and laughed flaberghastedly as the salesman replied to my price inquiry on a Tag Heur Grand Carrera Chronograph. "7,000 US" he proclaimed without flinching. I managed to navigate the merchant labyrinth in time for the 7pm daily prayer. The droning religious call resonated throughout the city, projected by speakers atop minarets in every direction. The call changed in pitch and wording, but had a continuity to it for several minutes without pause. The first time I heard it, my gut reaction was danger, due in part to many western movies, cultural ignorance and language barrier. I rounded the corner to the nearest mosque. In a moment of curiosity and the realization that I had not stepped foot into a church in excess of four years, I took my shoes off and stepped to the front of the procession as the seremony was just beginning. I knelt, mimicking the actions of those to my left and right, bowing my head in respectful silence. I did not know the words and stuck out like a sore thumb but I enjoyed the cultural symbolism embued through this ritual. We all were equal bowing our headed to the ground before Allah, constant prayer is a reminder of why we are here. If you are not religious, such as myself it is a nice time to reflect on the people, events, ideas and purposes in your life. I support this cultural ritual, its social messsage and philosophical ideal.