Casey was still not feeling well, so I left her alone to rest up for the wedding. I solo'd my way through Hagia Sofia, and then met up with Ray to check out the mosaic museum before packing and prepping for the main event.
Hagia Sofia
Super-Duper brief historical summary: The Hagia Sofia was built/re-built 3 times in the first few centuries A.D. When Sultan Mehmet conquered Constantinople in the mid 1400's, he converted the church into a mosque. In the mid 1930's, President Ataturk and the Turkish government converted it from a mosque into a museum as seen today.
Pictorial walk-through
Site and Building Layout
Entry Panorama
Entry Hallway Panorama
Entry into main part of building
Lower Floor Side Hallway
Sultan's Library (side hallway)
Marble Gallery
For muezzin to call to prayer and perform other services
Place of Coronation Ceremonies for Eastern Roman Emperors
Main area facing entry
Largest Pieces of Calligraphy for their time
Side view from main room
Awsomized version of the above
2nd story and above
Front of Hagia Sofia
Sultan Lodge (Floor 1.5)
Going Up!
Cool Switchback Ramps between 1st and 2nd floors
One Pillar
Two Pillar
2nd level Front Hallway
2nd Level Marble Door
Deisis - Biggest and Most Impressive Fresco/Mosaic
Another
And finally.... the money shot!
Main Hall
View from Empress Lodge (2nd floor above entry)
Main Dome
Mosaic Museum
Some of these original works were HUGE!
Another Large Piece Fragment
Elephant Strangling Lion!
Close-Up of Tile Work
10 points for Gryphindor!
Not sure what is going on here... :/
The Wedding! :D
2 hour bus ride through rush hour traffic
Highlight: seeing Sponge Bob and Patrick on the Tram!
Spiffy Old Dodge "Just Married" Gittup
Wedding Building Facade
Fancify! There, now its got that fairy tale feel :D
Model of Wedding Venue
OMG, what a view!
Drink Service Before The Ceremony
Sunset Shot!
The Bride!
(super fuzzy, sorry)
My view during the wedding.
Yaz blocked by cameraman and Adam by flowers :/
Yay a clear shot!
Objective Complete
It's party time!
Fancy
Dinner Settings
Dining Room
Menu
Course #1
Course #3
Oops, food was too good. Forgot to snap photo.
Course #4
First Dance - Double Spin
First Dance - Twirl
Make it Pink
No, Make it Blue
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