“Turkey 🇹🇷 ~Out and About in Istanbul”
It was time to get some exercise, and get out of our room for awhile, so we wandered; taking a left out of the drive for our first adventure together, since we got settled in our current stay.
I have plenty of work to do, but all work and no play… you know what they say! On this evening, we enjoyed watching a movie or two. This hasn’t happened since lockdown in Greece, in March, so it was most relaxing and enjoyable.
It would end up being exceptionally hot, by afternoon, during this time of year when the weather is normally beginning to cool down. We are told by the locals, it’s unusual to be so hot right now. Lucky us. So we walked up and down and all around, until we were wringing wet; not running, mind you, but walking. We stopped for a sparkling water, (or two) and watched the people. We saw some interesting things, but decided the next outing we will take a different route, for an even more interesting outing. We got so far from our hotel, we took a taxi back. It only cost us $1.98. by doing so, we watched the route the taxi took, so we can duplicate it on foot. These old neighborhoods are a maze, that seem to never end!
For thousands of years, Istanbul’s Golden Horn has attracted the attention of the world’s greatest empires, brilliant rulers, treasure hunters, artists and even the occasional Greek god.
The Walls of Constantinople (Constantinople being the old name of the ancient city of, now, modern Istanbul) are a series of stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding, as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they are one of the greatest and most complex fortification systems ever built.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, when well manned, they were almost impregnable for any medieval besieger, saving the city, and the Byzantine Empire with it, during sieges from the Avars, Arabs, Rus’, and Bulgars, among others. Only the advent of gunpowder siege cannons rendered the fortifications obsolete, resulting in the final siege and fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans on May 29th, 1453.
The walls were largely maintained intact during most of the Ottoman period, until sections began to be dismantled in the 19th century, as the city outgrew its medieval boundaries. Despite the subsequent lack of maintenance, many parts of the walls survived and are still standing today. A large-scale restoration program has been under way in the past twenty years, which allows the visitor to appreciate their original appearance.
Also known as Ayvansaray Kazasker İvaz Efendi Camii, it is located at Ayvansaray area in Eğrikapı of Fatih district in Istanbul. It is just behind the city walls and in service since it is completed in 1585.
The exact manner, customs and style of the grave, the burial and so forth may vary by regional custom. The grave should be perpendicular to the direction of the Qibla (also known as Mecca) so that the body, placed in the grave without a coffin lying on its right side, faces the Qibla.
Muslims bury their dead quickly; within 24 hours. The dead must be interred without a casket, facing the holy city of Mecca. Before the burial, the body is washed with soap and scented water, then wrapped in a seamless cloth, tied at the head and feet.
We did find the closest market to our hotel, for trips there to get stocked up on a few things.
In the meantime, not great news on hoping to escape for Thailand, anytime too soon. Like other info on the internet, things are not accurate. I read Thailand was being quite generous to tourists and completely opening up by this October. Nope, only if you fall into specific categories (which we don’t) AND there is a big push to rid its country of all tourists by October 31st! What is going on?
REPLY to my inquiry with Thailand
Dear Colleen,
Thank you for your email and for explaining your journeys. Unfortunately, most foreign nationals are still barred from entering Thailand. On March 26, the Thai government announced a set of emergency measures restricting the entry of foreigners into Thailand. Under these measures, foreigners are banned from entering the Kingdom of Thailand at all points, unless you fall into a category below. The Royal Thai Government has also banned arrivals inbound international passenger flights until further notice.
On June 29, 2020 The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced that flights only carrying the following types of passengers will be allowed into Thailand:
- Thai nationals.
- Persons with exemption or persons being considered, permitted, or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, as necessary. Such consideration, permission or invitation may be subject to specified conditions and time limits.
- Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parent, or child of a Thai national.
- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of residence, or permission to reside in the Kingdom.
- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid work permit or allowed to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children.
- Carriers of necessary goods subject to immediate return after completion.
- Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom as part of their duties and have a specified date and time for return.
- Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students.
- Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their attendants. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19.
- Individuals in diplomatic missions, consular affairs, international organizations, government representatives, foreign government agencies working in Thailand, or individual in other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including their spouse, parents, or children.
- Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country.
International commercial passenger flights into Thailand remain unavailable. Those seeking to enter Thailand must request a Certificate of Entry from the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. All arrivals are subject to a 14-day quarantine which can be spent at a government quarantine facility, alternative state quarantine, or self-quarantine at home depending on the traveler’s status. The only aircraft approved to enter the Kingdom of Thailand include the following:
- State or military aircraft
- Emergency landing flights
- Technical landing flights without disembarkation
- Humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights
- Repatriation flights
- Cargo flights
U.S. citizens seeking entry into the Kingdom of Thailand who meet the established criteria should contact the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate closest to their current location for more information on gaining entry to Thailand.
We will post any alerts and updates on the COVID-19 situation in Thailand on this website: https://th.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
I still have one other inquiry out, to the country of Georgia, but have not heard back as yet. If only Turkey had a one-year visa, I would have no concerns at this time, but we have to leave Turkey by early December, because of their 90-Day Visa. We can try to get an extension, but it was “H” “E” double hockey sticks going thru that process in Greece, back in April/May, only to be hassled, disrespected and denied by Greek authorities. I suppose I need to “cowgirl up” and go through the process, here; hoping perhaps the experience might be better. In the end, if we can’t go to Georgia, of anyplace else for that matter, I will need to apply for the extension, here. Beats being sent back home. The “World” is our happy place. We want to stay out in it!
In the meantime, I have managed to renew my drivers license, online (thankfully) as it expires in January. How I get my new license, once it gets sent from the DMV, I do not know, but I see a priority courier need in our future. We are also checked and verified for absentee voting ballots for next month, yay! AND, if you are following about our recent “glitch” in the retirement system, this is still being worked on and we have been allowed to request a formal review, where we can provide documented proof against their “robotic claims.” In the meantime, we will only be out September retirement, (till we prove otherwise against the erroneous claim). In the interim, pay will resume as normal, again, till investigation is complete. It’s the best we can hope for, right now.
Tomorrow, we will get out and explore again, going another direction. It’s still very hot, but we want and need our exercise, and love to explore! Otherwise, it feels too much like our recovery from getting COVID19, and/or the worldwide Lockdown, again! We also may partake in a boat cruise, soon.
Its never dull in our world, and life is truly what you make of it!
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Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More
It is good that you have somewhere to stay for the present and hope places open up for you soon, just keep well xx
From Judy Twist, I am on my phone my grand daughter has my iPad xx
How old is she? That’s funny.
Addi is 9 next month and I think she thinks she can watch stuff that mum does not know about
Nine, going on 30! We have one of those girls as a granddaughter; also nine. Too funny!
Thank you very much… we are working on a plan. It’s day to day
Oh my goodness…it’s exhausting to read so I can only imagine what it must be like to live it!! Kudos to your tenacious and optimistic spirit, what a blessing to share this journey of faith with you (albeit virtually). The world is your oyster – which means you have to pry it open, deal with the slimy stuff, and then enjoy the fruit of your labors (a tasty dish and hopefully a lovely pearl!!). Sending love, hugs, and prayers. <3
Love love love your analogy, Laurie! You are the best. Thank you for this!