We begin with Sufis

Images from last night’s Sema. While whirling can be watched in a dinner theatre atmosphere every night of the week, we opted to attend a traditional Saturday night worship ceremony. This particular event was held in the historic home of a 19th century Sufi composer, Dede Efendi.

Introduction

We begin with Sufis

Seeing past the jilbab

Hagia Sophia

And then a man tried to sell us a carpet

Passing remark

S gets a shoe shine

Outside the mosque, inside the mosque

Blue Mosque

Headscarves

Street food

Sneaking snaps in Istanbul

Next up: Iznik

After a day of Nicean ruins…

Buying and making tile

Bath day for S

Life in the small Muslim town of Iznik

Hagia Sophia, Iznik

Hookah lesson

At the market

Turkish National Poem

A parade

Random nature snaps

Gozleme making

The usual suspects

Pamukkale

Konya

Muslim women

Surprise visit

The music makers

Hat or head scarf?

Cappadocia

Landscape I

Landscape II

Landscape III

Landscape IV

Landscape V

Column Church

Resting

Beautiful

Parting remarks