Memorial Day

[Shapley]

Esat Pasha was the general; Ataturk was a colonel.

Grazie. I stand corrected.

I'm not sure if my tour guide had it wrong, or if I remembered him incorrectly. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, and blame my failing memory. A simple Google on my part would have saved me the embarassment.

[jamiebk]

We passec by the Gallipoli monument when sailing into and out of Istanbul. We had no opportunity to visit it, but it is an impressive sight, lighted as it is and visible from far out to see.

Istanbul fascinates me and I'd like to see it some day. Did you enjoy the city? What was it like?

[Shapley]

I enjoyed Istanbul though, like most cruise stops, our tour was limited. It is a fascinating city with a rich history. The markets are fascinating, and the sights impressive. We had only time to see the outside of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, not time to tour inside. We did tour inside another mosque, and spent time in the Grand Bazaar.

We walked from the ship to the sights, giving us less time to do the touristy stuff but more time to see, smell, and taste the city: the Spice Market, the Fish Markets, the bazaars and other places the tour buses pass by but do not stop for.

The peddlers are a hassle, but that is typical of the region. If you take the time to look at their wares, they'll chase you for a dozen blocks trying to haggle. Everybody there sells carpets, or has a brother that does. The carpet sellers are the most persistent.

I hope to have some photos pasted of facebook soon. I'll link to them from the bulletin board once I do.

[Shapley]

1st Lt. Warren Moxley R.I.P.

The remains of Lt. Moxley were found about twenty years ago, but were identified incorrectly. New testing was done recently, and he has been returned to Southeast Missouri, to be interred in Charleston, Mo. He was shot down over Germany in 1945.