Turkiye 2023: A Mosque & The Bazaar
Leaving Basilica Cistern, we realized that we have plenty of time to kill before 2 pm, which is the time both major attractions (Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque) open on Fridays. So what to do, what to see? We have already done the Hippodrome, the museum, a local market, 2 cisterns and we still have time, which only meant we really started early on this day to begin our touring since we wanted to be the first ones to enter the mosques. What else is nearby (that doesn't include eating) that we can do or see without taking public transport. The Grand Bazaar is about 1 km from Basilica Cistern. We chose to visit the Grand Bazaar now to have something to do and of course to avoid the scorching sun. However, on the way to Gate 1 of the Grand Bazaar where we will be entering sits Nuruosmaniye Mosque where we saw many people and cats sitting on the steps even though there is a sign that clearly says: "No sitting on the steps." I know that I had taken a photo of the sign,
