Istanbul, Turkey was next ...
Here is the family, including Paige looking at who knows what.
I will always remember Istanbul and our experience with a rug salesman. We were headed to the Blue Mosque when a man approached us asking us where we were from and where we were headed. He was friendly so we answered his questions (everyone is friendly in Europe ... they seriously don't usually have alternative motives, I promise). He then told us he could help us find the 'special entrance' for families to the Blue Mosque. We thought to ourselves ... sure, why not. He showed us where the restrooms were since our children have bladders the size of a pea and then he took us to the special entrance for families ...
It was hilarious! Basically, he walked us past all the people waiting in line right to the front. We seriously cut in front of people who had been waiting for an hour. Miles and I kept making eye contact with each other wondering if this guy was serious and how in the world were we getting away with this?! He toured us around the Mosque, giving us the history, pointing out historical pieces of art, making sure we saw and experienced everything, and even gave us adequate time to take pictures. It was actually wonderful. Then he helped us outside and escorted us to his shop to give us a sales pitch on Turkish rugs. One day I would LOVE a big beautiful rug from Turkey, but not when I have five little kids who could completely ruin such an expensive piece of art. We were politely rude and walked away from the salesmen. Sorry for not buying anything but thanks for helping us skip the huge long line to see the Mosque!
Our little man contemplating deep questions of the universe.
In the Grand Bazaar after buying our new Turkish scarves!
(BTW: these were our kids new best friends with whom we spent the entire cruise playing with, they just so happened to be in the Air Force stationed in Germany ... it was a nice coincidence)
This is where we had our lunch ... they put us upstairs where their storage was. There was no railing around the hole in the stairs and it was a nightmare trying to keep the baby away. They just kept passing up chair after chair to us, it was great! The food was delish too!
The Pet Market!!
This is what the kids loved the most. I have to admit, I had a blast as well. I love seeing the kids eyes light us with things like this. They were so excited and so happy to see all the animals!
Check out how many kids we had there! The man in the back (behind the little girl in the purple jacket) just kept throwing these rabbits at the kids, one after another. He wasn't gentle either, he was literally thrusting them to the kids and forcing the rabbits in their little arms. It was so funny! Emi didn't think it was so funny, she thought he was just plain mean to the animals.
I adore this picture! I love how content my little boy is, but also how happy his sister is to see him happy. I love a good family moment like this! Pure joy!
(I don't think you can see it, but just for information sake, this cute little gray rabbit was held so tightly by my baby that it peed all over his shoulder)
Hey, I have an idea, lets whip each other with our brand new turkish scarves! It will be fabulous!
We seriously cannot go anywhere without trying their ice cream! This little girl always get chocolate.
To end the day in Istanbul one must always do limbo in front of the police officers.
