Sean-Paul's trip through some very interesting, but little known parts, of the world has begun. If this first entry in Turkey is any indication, it will be a must read.

The Blue Mosque

“What is it that inspires man to create such magnificent edifices like this,” I thought to myself as I walked up to Blue Mosque. Six tall minarets ring the Mosque, four of which have three balconies, the other two on the west side of the courtyard have but two. The mosque is a stately grayish white stone topped by 16 slate blue domes. It is said that there are 16 for the year in which it was built by I find this to a bit dubious, as the mosque would have been built early in the Muslim era and they use a different calendar than we in the West.

As I walked through the delicately manicured gardens of fir (?) that precede the entrance to the main courtyard of the mosque a whirlpool of emotions flowed through me. Of course there was anger. Anger at 9/11. Anger at the fact that they are just different from us, but there was in me some peace as well (if it is possible to be both angry and at peace simultaneously.

Passing through the courtyard towards the Iwan or main entrance to the mosque I was greeted by a man that handed me a plastic bag, informing me that “you shoes, must put in bag.” It is forbidden to wear shoes inside the mosque. He obviously found me a bit odd, with my bald head and someone un-American attire. “Where from, you are?” he asked in a soft Turkish lilt.

“America,” I replied hoping to dodge the next question.

“What state?”

“Shit,” I think to myself but I answer honestly, “Texas.”

He frowned, but I quickly followed up with an hearty, “ I DO NOT like Bush!”

“Ah, you are a good man. We do not like him here too.”

“Yeah, I kind of figured that out.”
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