First, for the boring stuff, we stopped by Topkapi Palace. It was originally built by Mehmet II in the 1460's following his conquest of Constantinople, and subsequently used by Ottoman rulers through the 1890's. It is now a museum with some interesting aspects (the tiles, harem, views of the bosphorous and information about the eunech's they created and kept...seriously) and probably some lies and half truths regarding religious history.
But more importantly, today we knocked off one of Amanda's bucket-list items: a kilim. After hours of deliberation, and with thanks to the kind and patient shop owner, we settled on a 120+ year old, traditionally woven kilim from the caucuses of North Persia, or what is now Azerbaijan. This kilim oozes character and we cannot wait to build a reading room around it!
And to further celebrate Amanda's birthday we secured a reservation at one of Istanbul's 'it' restaurants -Mitla - which has perhaps the best views in the city...not to mention spectacular food.
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