Tag Archives: turkey

Orthodoxy and Chai in İstanbul’s Greek Neighborhood

I spent my third day in Istanbul walking slowly through neighborhoods. I walked down a hill and found myself drifting into a coffee shop. Without speaking a word I ordered a spiced chai and was taken to a table across the street. Sitting down, I found myself within an environment I was slowly getting usedContinue reading “Orthodoxy and Chai in İstanbul’s Greek Neighborhood”

Horse Meat and the Quran

I first saw The Suleymaniye Mosque illuminated by a projector’s glow during a lecture on Islamic Architecture. I learned that The Mosque was commissioned by Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and was designed by his chief architect: Mimar Sinan.  Sinan, responsible for many 16th century mosques, palaces, madrassas (Islamic schools) bathhouses, and bridgesContinue reading “Horse Meat and the Quran”