To do's

Alhamdulillah, I am pretty close to being able to send out three applications, and I think I should be able to knock out the other two fairly soon, in sha Allah, now that I am in the essay-writing groove. They are pretty excruciating though.

Anyways, I only have about nine more weekends here, plus the next Bayram, so I've got to start planning on when to do/see all of the recreational activities and attractions. Based on my own research and input from Maryam, Mushir, and others, this is a list of to do's in Istanbul (along with my priority level):

Topkopi Palace (high - I've seen it years ago, but it has been a while, and had a lot of neat stuff)

Dolmabahce Palace (medium - I don't think it was as cool, but I might as well see it)

Abu Ayyub/Eyup Sultan Mosque (low - I've seen it already this trip, but I'm not sure if I saw the whole thing - it was packed on laylatul Qadr)

The Suleymaniye (medium - I went earlier this year, it still under construction, but I might go again - there was a nice fasuliya restaurant just outside)

Sultanahmet/Blue Mosque (low - I've been there a couple of times this trip, I might return to do some touristic shopping)

Fatih Sultan Muhammad/Mehmet Mosque (medium - I've been there earlier this year and again this trip, but I think the area has a good selection of scarves to buy as gifts coming back - you really can't buy the scarves at most shopping mall stores that I've seen)

Hagia Sophia (high - I saw it years ago, and it was undergoing repairs then - I should see it this trip, but I don't think there is much to the museum part of it - it is just a building I think; these old Turkish mosques/churches start to look the same after a while)

The Nizam (medium - he lives in Istanbul, and it would be interesting to meet him if he would see me; maybe I can visit him with Yousuf Uncle, or take him Sheer Korma during Eid; I'm not sure what I would say to him though; maybe I could just encourage him to do something with the rest of his life and make a difference - it is never too late)

Rumali Hisari fortress (medium - I saw this years ago, I think, and if memory serves, it was the better preserved one)

Anadolu Hisari fortress (low - I saw this years ago, and I don't think it was in as good shape)

Grand Bazaar (high - I need to check what is available and start comparison shopping with non-scam places)

Galata Tower (high - I don't think I've ever been, and it provides a great view of the old city area)

St Savior Church/Kariye Mosque (medium - Erkut's suggestion, to check out this church turned mosque because of the unique architecture)

Marmara Sea (high - I should see it before it gets too cold)

Princes Islands/Buyakada Big Island by ferry (high - I should see this before it gets too cold)

Other random old mosques in the old city (low - I'll stop by as I see them, but as I mentioned, they are all pretty similar)

Galatasaray/or Fenerbahce match - (high - I live right across the street from the Galatasaray stadium, so it would be a shame if I didn't go to at least one match; I need to find out how to buy tickets)

Whirling Dervish show - (medium - I saw a poster near the Blue Mosque - I think there are shows on Tuesday and Saturday)

Some of this I might be able to pull off during the weeknights, but a lot of it will have to happen on weekends. In sha Allah, hopefully I can knock out some of the items this weekend. Let me know if you can think of anything else I should do in the city!

I also hope to make some trips outside of Istanbul to the surrounding areas - here is where I hope to go:

Konya - (high - it would be a shame if I was in Turkey so long and didn't go to the place where the heart of Islam in Turkey is; also, it will be nice to visit Rumi)

Bursa - (medium - it is pretty close, and it used to be the Ottoman capital before Adrianople or Constantinople; also, I hear that is where Iskandar comes from, not Antakya or Iskenderun, strangely)

Izmir - (medium - it is also not too far is supposed to be a much nicer city than Istanbul; one of my coworkers is from Izmir and is always talking it up - perhaps I can get him to show me around on a weekend trip)

Ankara - (low - I'm sure there are a lot of interesting modern buildings here, but I'm not really so interested; Erkut mentioned one street worth seeing though, we'll see)

Samsun or Trabzon (high - the Black Sea coast is something to behold, I've been told and I can imagine; while I can't see it being quite as warm or sunny as California (not Mediterranean anymore!), it has similar elements - water, trees, mountains)

Antakya/Iskenderun (low - I've seen it before, but Antioch is an interesting place, near Syria)

Antalya (low - I've seen it before, but it was very beautiful, plus, it would be a shame not to see the Mediterranean while in Turkey)

Athens (high - I need to leave the country anyways for visa issues, and it is right across the water)

Cyprus (medium - I've never been, and could probably only see the Northern side, but I'm sure it is pretty neat)

Troy (low - I've heard they discovered a strong candidate recently, and it would be neat to see, if I have time)

Ephesus (low - I'm not such a fan of ruins, but if I have time)

Bektash (medium - I've always been a bit fascinated with Haji Bektash, and though apparently the place has become a center of Alawites who revere him, I think it is worth a look-see)

I have a feeling I won't be able to get to everything, but we'll see in sha Allah.