9/1 Sunday
Today,
we really are going to the Archaeology Museum. We walk down our street to the
busy main street. As we approach, we hear shouting, sort of chanting. There are
people all around wearing soccer shirts, so we think it might be a rally for a
game today. But as we get to the intersection, we see people walking in a line,
holding hands, waving a small flag and chanting out a slogan. They’re making a
barricade, but they don’t look angry, just excited, most are smiling, calling
out for passing cars to honk in support. We weave through the line, and come
right up against a troop of police in riot gear getting organized to counter
the protestors. So, against all advice to tourists, we seem to be smack in the
middle of something. We press past the police, all of whom look to be about
nineteen years old, and hurry on our way to the tram. Although there’s a lot of
energy in the air, nothing actually happens, as far as we can tell. It turns
out to be one of many “human chain” protests throughout the city, against
military involvement in Syria. Fortunately, non of the protests lead to any
violence. Along the way to the tram, we pass more police troops waiting, with
crowd control vehicles and water cannons ready. They’re mostly sitting in the
shade having snacks.
At
the Sultanahmet District, we come into the park grounds to find the Archeology
Museum. One whole wing is closed, getting repaired from recent earthquake
damage. The museum is so huge, we have plenty to see. The largest exhibit is a
fantastic collection of sarcophagi, and some mummified remains. The pieces are
exquisitely carved, incredibly beautiful and delicate. Most are enormous as
well.
1 Video Included
Istanbul Archaeological Museum
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