Bursa Inik - Istanbul

Started the day out in Bursa where we ended the day yesterday. We went had lunch in a beautiful place -- the Botanic Garden Iskender Restaurant. Saw my first dervish; good looking chap as the Brits would say. He was totally smitten with my new friend Ilene who is tall, black and beautiful. He followed her all over the place. The Botanic Gardens were wonderful. We sat outside under a grape arbor at a long table covered with a white cloth and sliver utensils. Food was excellent. We then went to the Silk Market and helped the Turkish economy. Scarfs are incredible. Each store had their own designs and colors they specialized in. After that we went to see a shadow theater presentation. Interesting but we did not understand what they were saying. However, it was well done -- hand puppets on sticks -- amazing talent. While we did not understand what they were saying, they did explain the story to us so we could follow it somewhat.

This morning we left for Iznik or Nicaea We visited the Iznik Foundation for a presentation on Iszik tiles -- the people that run the foundation have reinstated the ancient art of tile making and are using the old methods and materials. Very interesting and the tiles are amazing. They had laid out on the table a set of tiles they were doing for a mosque in Mexico that was being restored. We then had lunch in their gardens -- again under a grape arbor with a long table and white cloth. All around us was the heady smell of roses. The garden was full of them. Iznik is by the Marmara Sea and is full of flowers and roses. We stopped by the former cathedral where the Council of Nicaea was held. It is in pretty poor condition but you could still see the murals. The Ottomans took the place over and turned it into a mosque.

More later. Off to dinner