18 March 2015 - Fancy an aqueduct in the middle of the city!

We were cosy and warm in our Istanbul apartment with our three loads of washing drying about us on the efficient central heating!  Outside, we saw random snowflakes falling and although they didn't settle, they did give us an indication of the outside temperature: COLD!

It was another school morning, trying to catch up after two days of travelling and it was excruciating trying to motivate Luke.  I used to be patient but this distance eduction program has challenged every ounce of my otherwise reasonable demeanor! Enough said - tomorrow will hopefully be different...please?!

Istanbul is an amazing old city with an interesting history including 4th century AD Roman ruins of an aqueduct!!  This was our excursion for the afternoon.  You'd think the aqueduct would be fairly obvious but it took a while to find!!  In fact, we realised afterwards that we had previously walked under arches near the university that were in fact part of the aqueduct, not just random arches!  The part we were looking for was the 900m continuous remains, through which cars drive and in other parts it is used as shelter for cars, etc.

Still standing strong!

Perspective shot!

Peak hour traffic through the arches!

 While the kids were playing in Fatih Park, I spied a queue where it appeared free honey balls and other pastries were being handed out!   We think it was something to do with scouts or some kind of social service but we were not quite sure.  I must look like a foreigner because a man asked me where I was from.  I said "Australia" and he thought I said "Israel" and launched into a slightly frightening tirade of abuse about killing Muslims and what did I think I was doing in this country... to which I responded again: "Australia, Aus-tra-lia, kangaroo!"  The young people around me in the queue looked somewhat relieved and the irate Turk disappeared into the sea of people.  The Israelis we met in Goreme did mention that they kept their nationality fairly quiet while travelling in Turkey!

In the shadow of such history, a modern playground stands!

Kids at play!

 Fatih Anit Park in the middle of the of all the traffic lanes seemed to be a place for gathering with a monument, little fountains and playground and seats in the sun!  The garden beds were FULL of tulip plants about to flower.  They are Turkey's national flower and originated here and not in The Netherlands.  The parks will be magnificent in a month or so when the flowers are all in full bloom.

Aviation Martyrs' Monument - Fatih Anit Park

Handstand opportunity!

We walked alongside the aqueduct into what seemed to be a very Muslim market and area.  Most of the shoppers were women and it certainly was the largest cohort of "covered" women we have seen in Turkey.  We bought some delicious pastries from a couple of stalls which looked like the local Mothers' Club fund raising cake stalls.  As we wandered deeper into the market, we remarked on the

apparent  contradiction of robed and burqa-ed women checking out racy lingerie and little black dresses.  Maybe behind closed doors they don these for their friends and menfolk but buying them in public from male stallholders struck me as odd.

Muslim market

Muslim style tunics

Love the guy wandering around the market with a tray of bread on his head!

Live catfish still struggling for breath - bit cruel we thought.

It was really interesting wandering around the market as it really wasn't at all geared for tourists unlike the nearby Grand Bazaar.  The live fish fascinated Luke but the rest of us thought it was cruel.  Luke thought he would like to take the catfish home and put them in a tank!  They were huge!

Istanbul is an old city and there plenty of old building needing repair.  These alongside ancient Roman ruins speak of building and material quality!  Even Roman bricks are still in their original places and the arches are still standing!  Wooden dwellings just don't have the same durability.

Renovator's delight!

Same tumbling down building with ancient 2000 year old arch standing intact!

Why not use an ancient arch for a makeshift garage?!

Well made!

Another angle

The end as it stands today

The aqueduct continues up near the university

It was a chilly but fine afternoon as we wandered along the narrow cobbled streets and through the grounds of the Suleyman the Magnificent Mosque, back to the Metro.

 

Suleyman the Magnificent Mosque

Suleyman the Magnificent Mosque

Another street with aqueduct arch

Random ruins lie about and can become a stage!

Our home cooked dinner was satisfying after not being able to cook for the last week or so.  Salmon steaks are less than half the price we would pay in Australia, so these coupled with rice and assorted vegetables made a plain but delicious dinner....followed by some halva!