ISTANBUL- FOODIE CENTER OF TURKEY

Baklava, tea, Turkish coffee....What a great day. Day 2 of my trip wee are off to some exciting places in Istanbul. But we visit the most famous Baklava factory in the world. Nadir Gullun , the owner is our host and actually shows us the process of how to make this delicious sweet that originated in Turkey...not Greece. After donning white gowns and caps and face guards we have a hands on learning experience. The dough is so thin you can read a newspaper through it.

After we learn...then we sit down to taste some of the 20 different varieties that are made here. As I am not a sweat aholic....I love the kind that is filled with cheese and spinach.
For those that are chocoholics there is even a syrupy baklava that is made with cocoa in the pistachios.

It is hard to leave..but we must do some tourist things today...like seeing the amazing

Haghia Sofia church built in the 6^the century and decorated with beautiful Byzantine religious mosaics. Interestingly...these are Christian mosaics that are also revered by the Turkish Muslims which is the majority of the people of turkey. The religious symbolism is also revered by Muslims as the saints are also mentioned in the Koran as the virgin Mary and Mathew, Mark,Luke and John are holy men as is the Virgin Mary.

The dome of this sacred church is also the highest point in the city and its minarets dominate the skyline of Istanbul.

Across the street from this ancient church is the Blue Mosque. Interestingly..the only women inside are tourists as our guide tells us that Muslim women are expected to be working while the men pray. We are not permitted in this prayer area where we see the Mullahs and men kneeling down in prayer in the direction of mecca.

Today is October 29,...turkey's 4^{th/sup> of July...and the streets are crowded with revelers and decorated by the red Turkish flags everywhere. Traffic is as bad if not worse than a New York traffic jam. It takes us two hours to go perhaps 3 miles...but we arrive with ample time to see the spectacular laser and fireworks show that is being displayed across the water of the Mamara sea.}