Building Tributes to Faith in God

A quick note before we set sail since I may be without a signal until we dock at Kusadasi and Ephesus. Despite the unusual cold and drizzle, we were able to get to the magnificent Blue Mosque and equally impressive Church of Hagia Sophia.

Both structures show the epic efforts that are inspired by humans honoring God, and both edifices embody the complex historical relationship between the Eastern church, Rome and Islam.

So much of the stage of modern history was set by these inherent cultural and political tensions. It is awesome to be able to step into that history, to see it above your head and feel it beneath your feet!

I hope my pictures convey some of the beauty of the great Blue Mosque, which took my breath away, and the architectural perfection of Hagia Sophia, which means “divine wisdom.” And of course, I just had to say hello to that dog I met at the mosque. I needed a dog fix!

There goes the ship's horn. We're off...