Arrived in Istanbul by train this morning. Attended afternoon prayer at the first mosque founded after Mehmet the Conquerer took the city in 1453. It's just beneath the Galata tower. The view from the top of the Galata tower has got to be one of the best in history. I was imaging Greek sailing ships bringing wheat from the Russian steppes around the golden horn to feed Athens during its Golden Age and British warships heading up the Bosphoros to fight the Crimean War.
Walked by the headquarters of the local council of the Turkish Communist Party and saw Turkish translations of Che's diaries for sale in bookstores. Visited Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches still functioning in the heart of the city. I think the Catholic one is a remnant of French influence in the region.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13