Turkey Time

What? Wasn't Thanksgiving over last week? Well that is true, but for me, my "Turkey Time" is now. I have arrived safe and sound in Istanbul for the 2 day conference on Myths at the University of Istanbul. I came two days early, but the first day was eaten up by travel, writing, and sleep. I am saying in a hostel called the Cordial House (ironic because the desk staff is anything but cordial). However the room is nice and clean, and so is the downstairs area where we eat. I have yet to actually "meet" any of my roommates or hostel travlers because most people are in their own worlds and also I slept most of yesterday evening. I did wake up sometime around midnight, though, and worked on my paper because I was having conference anxiety dreams. I am still a little anxious, but this morning when I left the paper, I felt better. Tomorrow the conference starts and I am the first presenter on my panel! I also had time today to check out the other presentations - it looks like such an interesting array of work. I actually feel a little sheepish about my approach to this conference thus far. I just went over what to do in preparation for conferences with my graduate program, and here I am without a printed copy of my paper or business cards or anything. I met a nice man on the plane over who offered to exchange business cards and I had none to exchange! Anyway, I still think it will be fun. I actually cannot wait to meet my fellow conference members so I have someone to talk to and to go places.
Today I went out around noon and had a Turkish version of a hand-held pizza for lunch. Then I made my way to the Blue Mosque which I almost went into, but I wore my long boots today and we had take our shoes off, so I did not want the hassel and left. I did get some lovely pictures though. Then I went to the Turkish Museum of Islamic Arts. That was lovely -a vast array of arts. Everything from stone and metal work to mosque doors, windows, Korans, and even carpets. There was also an "ethnographic" exhibit which shows you the interior lifestyles of ethnically Turkish people around the world and in different socio-economic classes. Outside of this museum I saw a number of pillars, monuments, and grave yards - although I am not sure about the history of most of them. I also saw the old cistern - so much of Istanbul is very, very old. Of course I had to stop by the Hagia Sophia - Aya Sofia as it is known here. It is a gorgeous chuch/mosque/museum - it was a church, then turned into a mosque, and is now a museum. The dome is gold, and you can tell by the stone work that this is a very old place. The frescos inside are amazing. I am now wishing that I had taken the audio tour since it was so fascinating, but I thought I would run out of time. I do have a lot of information in my Lonely Planet guide. Anyway, I ended my day visiting the Topkapi Palace - the former resident of most of the Ottoman Sultans. Sadly I did not make it through a lot of the palace because it started raining and I was very tired by that point. I want to go back, however, to see the Harem. There was a beautiful book about it in the gift shop which I did not get because it was overpriced, but it did make me want to see the Harem.
So not a bad day overall, but I still want to see the Grand Bazaar (which I only walked around today) and the rest of the Palace. We will see if I have time! So far the Turkish people have been nice, but I am careful not to strike up a conversation with random men - most of them are just trying to sell me something, but I was warned about other problems if you are too sympathetic. The women are gorgeous - with such an array of beautiful headscarves. But many women do not wear them. I actually saw a large number of Arabs and Muslims from different places today, and I wondered if it was a special occasion. According to someone I overheard in the street, it is some kind of Turkish holiday, but I am not sure what kind.
I am going to sign off now, but wish me luck at the conference tomorrow!