Weather much better than yesterday; occasional sun and no rain. Began the day at the Blue Mosque. Found a side entrance where we could avoid the huge group lines and crowds. Were able to stand and look and photograph - I don't remember being able to see the dome of this mosque as well as I could today.
Next to the Basilica Cistern which is a huge underground system of water storage that used to supply the ancient city of Constantinople but was lost for many years.
Had lunch on a side street near the Nomad Hotel; very leisurely service perhaps on account of Ramadan, we're not sure. Or perhaps because western tourists eat much earlier than Istanbullus.
After lunch make our pilgrimage to Mehmet Chetinkaya's gallery. I emerged empty handed despite being tempted by antique hats from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Perhaps tomorrow I'll return for the child's Dervish hat from Konya. Or will it be for the crazy felt hat from Cocoon?
Then drinks at Seven Hills - a roof top in between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia - where one can take marvelous photos as the sun sets over the city. Had dinner inside where there was a bit less wind. Plenty of Turkish wine to help celebrate our anniversary.
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