Hippodrome of death

Greetings,

Today.... Harry almost killed us... again.

It started with his NEED to see the Hippodrome. Not sure if he even knew the Hippodrome existed until we arrived in Istanbul, but he was adimit that we did not leave until he laid eyes upon it.

Hippodrome was built in 203 A.D. The hippodrome was a stadium which served as a meeting place for the politicians, for chariot races, wrestling, boxing, and other athletic activities that took place. The arena was over 400 meters long and 120 meters wide, In the fourth century the spectator capacity was increased to 100,000.

The Hippodrome is all but destroyed except for a few monuments... so that's what we set off to see.
Obelisk of Theodosius (The Egyptian obelisk) The Obelisk, brought to Istanbul by Emperor Theodosius I was made of pink granite and its height is 17 metres. Originally, the obelısk was 27 meters in height ,10 meters hıgher than it ıs today and weıghed 800 tons.It is unknown when and how the lower part disappeared.

The hieroglyphic inscription on the Obelisk describes the victory of the pharaoh and a sacrifice to the god of the sun Amon-Ra in which the pharaoh kneels at the foot of the god.

The Obelisk was brought to Constantinopolis in 390 A.D. and stood over a rectangular stone base on four bronze feet. Its marble base in itself is six meters. There are inscriptions in Latin and Greek on it.

Next monument up..... Serpentine Column was donated to the Delphi by the 31 Greek city states after the victory over the Persians in 479 B.C. This is one of the oldest monuments in Istanbul. The names of these 31 cities were written on this obelisk which is 5.10 meters high. Originally, the column was 8 meters high (a drunken Danish guy broke them) and the column was in the form of three serpents' heads with the gold cauldron supported on their heads. Only two of these heads have been found with one in the Istanbul Archeological Museum, the other one in the British Museum.

Constantine Column was the landmark of the city because of its height of 32 meters. The column was erected in the fourth century by Constantine the Great.

This monument was completely covered with bronze plates. During the Latin invasion in 1204, these plaques were removed and melted to make coins.

Now for the Hansen version....

Harry just had to see this place... so we head in the direction of where the Hippodrome should have been. After several trips round-n-round the general location. We finally found the monuments. Harry zero's in on the Constantine monument and B-lines over to have his picture taken.

I begin to look around and take in our surroundings. What I notice... is that we have wandered into a park of sorts. A park where there are picnic tables, with families spreading picnic blankets, setting out food, and watching their kids play in the park. On the sides of the park are booths. Booths cooking food, but not yet selling food. It smells wonderful.

Then I notice... I am the only female within the entire park NOT covered up.... in a birka (head wrap). People are everywhere... but a Harry and I are the only Pale Faces around.

Harry is clueless. He stands in front of the monument yelling, "Hey Kris... get my picture!" "You know what this is?"

"Um, Harry.... shhhh"

"This is from Constantine, how amazing is that!", he says as he is smiling waiting for me to take his picture.

"Harry, let's go", I proceed to tell/coax him. "We really should to go!"
"Why? what's the hurry.... there are still 2 more monuments over there?" ... and over there is further into the park area and NOT where I wanted to go.

As I get closer to him, I whisper... "harry, look around. we are the only non-Islamic’s around". To which he finally turns around to take in his surroundings...

"It's okay, we are fine.... nothing gonna happen to us!" Just as he finishes his statement of safety... the Muslim call to worship begins... and that is when I REALLY realize where we are....

IN THE PARK OF THE BLUE MOSQUE!

On Friday... which is their most holy days
At Sundown.... which is when they finally get to eat since they have been fasting ALL day. Fasting all day makes people grumpy!
During Ramadan.... which is their most holy time of year.

"You're right Harry because we are leaving.... NOW!" and we did. Along the way we were headed several pamphlets on converting to Islam, which I graciously took.

Blessings to those with knack for winding up in the strangest places,

Kristie