Turkey

Turkey is an amazing country with a rich historical background, including art and architecture from Christian, Muslim, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and of course Ottoman elements.  The plane ride there was quick and painless, and the food was pretty good. 

Istanbul was our first and also last destination.  We went to the Blue Mosque on Day 1.  This is still a functioning mosque, so we removed our shoes and covered our heads, tiptoed in by a side entrance and enjoyed the rich carpets and brightly lit interior. 

The Blue Mosque was the first in the world to have six minarets.  In order to not surpass the Muslim shrine at Medina, Ottoman Architects were sent to Arabia to add another minaret there. 

Compared to the previous building, this one is rather modest, but it played an important role in the early Christian church as the location for one of the ecumenical councils, of which the Council of Nicea is the most famous.  This one is now located next to the Topkapi Palace and has been used as a storage site for weapons in times of battle. 

Istanbul is located on both the Asian and European continents, separated by the Bosporus straight.  You can stand on the European continent and take a picture of the Asian continent behind you. 

The Topkapi Palace complex has beautiful architecture, well preserved ornamentation, exhibits about military equipment, jewels, clothing, and religious icons. 

Thousands of people cross the Bosporus each day on bridges and ferries.  We took a boat tour of the straight.

Here is the Hagia Sophia seen from a distance.  (Pronounced "Aiya Sophia," meaning holy wisdom).  We visited it on the last day of our tour because it was closed on Mondays.

May

President Uchtdorf visits the BYU Jerusalem Center

This past Sabbath, President and Sister Uchtdorf spoke at our District Conference, along with Elder Bruce D. Porter and his wife, and many wonderful district leaders (including Emily Azar). 
Someone said this was the first time a member of the first presidency of the LDS church had visited here for decades.  It was a powerful meeting. 

Later that evening, we were gathered for a Last Supper experience, part of the culmination of the BYU semester focusing on the end of the Savior's mortal life.  This photo was taken just before the meeting, and if you look carefully, you can see Carrie's head second from the left by the window, and Jill, Megan, and Frank back by the organ.  It may seem as if we are far removed from the Uchtdorfs, but just after the photo, President and Sister Uchtdorf walked back to sit by their family members in the next to last row.  Therefore, they were one row in front of us, and after the meeting we got to shake their hands.  It was a powerful moment, coming just minutes after he had borne witness of the Savior.