FAREWELL TO THE BLUE MOSQUE, AND ISTANBUL

 Our last day in Istanbul was a flurry of packing, last-minute shopping, and a leisurely visit to the Blue Mosque.  So first, we needed a few euros for the hotel bill and traveling to Paris.

If you ever need a Turkish ATM, this is what they look like.  

We actually tried to visit the Blue Mosque twice on this day.  First we went and the lines were epic, legendary, and impossible.  So we left, to return later, a half-hour before closing time.

Instead we walked back to Eminonu district.  

 Our objective was a special gyro that we had read about, where the meat is roasted horizontally.  The chef says that it keeps the meat moist and juicy.  It was a small, linoleum and metal-table kind of place, with only one thing on the menu.  They brought us one plate each and then another.  It was delicious, and just right. 

 We at it by wrapping the meat inside the very fresh flat bread with tomatoes and cucumbers.  Yum! 

 Again with the cookware, but no. 

 Had we known we could have ordered McDo to go! 

So back to the hotel, packing and shopping, then another try for the Blue Mosque a half hour before closing.  We walked right in. 

This is one of the gates to the mosque compound.  The chain is draped across the entrance to remind everyone, especially the sultan who arrived on horseback,  to bow in humility before entering. 

 Again we were struck by the awesome majesty of the space, this time illuminated against the gathering dusk outside. 

Then it was back to the hotel, dinner with friend we met there, and off to the airport at 4:30 AM for our flight to Paris via Munich.