Istanbul Day Üç (3)

Day 3 in Istanbul! We started our day with breakfast at the Arch Bistro, right around the corner from our apartment. This adorable little cafe had delicious, slow-cooked food made with local ingredients. The bread we had as an appetizer was purchased (right after we ordered) from the store right across the street. The cafe was decorated with industrial pipes and had a small library of Turkish history and European books to enjoy. They made excellent beverages and the food was so yummy!

I ordered a gözleme, a Turkish pancake filled with feta cheese and mushrooms. I had to share because the portion size was so big! The dish was served on a wooden cheese plate.
Above, me enjoying a Turkish hot chocolate.
Andrew and Christine with their Traditional Turkish Breakfasts: an egg, cheese, honey, olives, jam, utter, bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and coffee.
After breakfast, we walked to the "downtown" area where the mosques and the square are located. This garden was in front of the Blue Mosque, one of the largest in Turkey.
This is the Blue Mosque, which we would visit later in the day.
This is the sign for the Harem, situated outside the Hagia Sophia mosque, now museum. The harem has been converted into a luxurious spa. Next time I'm in Turkey, I'll splurge for a relaxing treatment.
This gilded structure was right outside the Hagia Sophia. To enter the Hagia Sophia, we bought a museum pass, which was good for the Hagia Sophia, the Architecture museum, and the Topkopi Palace, which was not open when we went.
An Hagia Sophia cat
A beautiful flower outside the museum
Inside the Hagia Sophia, the ceiling and main room. 
Video of the Hagia Sophia:
Leigh, at the front of the Sophia.

Me!
Rob taking pictures
Leigh and Rob
Leigh in front of the Jesus mosaic
View from the second floor terrace window
Looking down from the window
Check out the marble: it was sliced and then laid intentionally to create a pattern. We saw this technique all around Europe in the old churches and mosques.
Leigh and Rob in front of the Hagia Sophia
Rob proposing to Leigh!
She said yes!
Rob's mom's ring is a little small, so it only fit on Leigh's pinky. Still counts!

The happy couple

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