December 21, 1953

You should have seen us trying to buy coffee with marks all through Italy – no lire, but some soldiers on the train took pity on us.  They had lire.

We got to Rome about 7:30 and went to the Hotel Constantinople.  Then we ate breakfast and went up to wash our faces.  Then I discovered that I had left my toothbrush, so I went to the drug store to buy one.  I don’t know what kind of mouths they have, but that’s the biggest toothbrush I ever saw.  It looks more like a hair brush.

         No pictures in Rome because it rained.  Saw the Appian Way and one of the Viaducts on the way to the airport.  We are flying with BKS, a British airlines.  We left Rome finally about 1200.  Had a very nice trip and landed in Athens about 5:30 – lost an hour.  We are staying at the Acropolis and we have a private bath with a tub.  The trip over was very nice.

Tonight we had a pretty good dinner here.  The 4 of us were going out, but it started raining so we just stayed here.  There are 2 more girls on this tour who are very nice – Ann and Betty.  Most of the others are older but a nice group.

 

December 22, 1953

This morning we went on a sightseeing tour.  Stopped at the Royal Palace to take pictures of the Guards.  This is where the Duke of Edinburgh lived as a child.

Then we went by the Stadium where the 1^st Olympic Games were held.  It was built in 1896 and is a replica of the one built in 300 A.D.

         Next went to the Temple of Jupiter; foundations laid in 514 B.C. but was finished in 150 A.D.  The gate in front divided the city into the Roman and Greek parts.

Next we went to the Acropolis which means “high city” where the Gods ruled – Athens had its “day of hay” in 450 B.C. under Pericles – Golden Age.  There is the Temple of Athena – goddess of Athens and the Parthenon – “temple of Virgins”.  Paul’s rock is out front where he preached in 51 A.D.  Down below is the Theater of Dionysos, the oldest theater – about Nero’s time.

This afternoon we went by the University – Med. College, Philosophy College and the Theology College.

         We went to the PX of all things.  Also got some “greenback” and do they look good!

The exchange here is 30,000 drachma to the $1.  All the money is paper.  You think nothing of tipping somebody 1,000 drachma – about 3 cents.

         Tonight we went to see “The Robe” (with Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, and Victor Mature).  Greek subtitles.  These are the places where it took place.  When we bought our tickets they gave us about 4 apiece.  Paper must be awfully plentiful around here.

         We really caused an uproar because the usher wanted us to move upstairs.  We didn’t understand because she was speaking Greek.  (She's always causing trouble!)

December 23, 1953

We left a little after 8 this morning for Istanbul and arrived here about 11:30.  We are staying at the Ipek Palace (still there).  It is new and very nice except that we don’t have private baths.  It has been rainy and misty all day.

         A view of Istanbul from the hotel:

After lunch we went on a sightseeing tour.  Istanbul looks just like I thought Turkey would.  It is the only city that is in Europe and Asia.  We went across the Golden Horn which divides the city into two parts – the old – 600 BC and the new – 14^th century.  Then we went down to the waterfront.  Saw a mosque, the New Palace, a clock tower, and at the foot of the tower the 1^st cannons ever made.  Then went by the city square which has a war monument of 1919 in it.  On one side is the Congress of Turkey.

Then we saw one of the aqueducts that is 1200 years old.  Later we went into one of the cisterns underground which catches the overflow of the aqueduct.  It is 1700 years old and was built by the Romans.  This was the water supply when the city was under siege.

        We went into the Suleymaniye Mosque.  He was the greatest emperor and had the mosque built in 1555.  It is on the 7^th and highest hill and can be seen from anywhere in the city.  The acoustics are perfect.  When we went in we had to put on tremendous slippers.  I lost one of mine and some little man got real excited about it.  The lights were strung very low all over the building.  It was tremendous.  There was a service going on.  They worship 5 times a day.

Then we went into St. Sophia Museum which used to be a mosque.  There are no steps at the entrance because the emperors rode their carriages into worship.  It was built in the 6^th century.

Then we went to the Hippodrome where they used to have races.  Now there are 5 monuments there – one is the Obelisk or Cleopatra’s Needle.  This is across from the Blue Mosque – next to Mecca.  It is called this because of the many blue tiles.  We also went in and had to put on slippers.  We saw some worshippers bowing down here.

         Cleopatra's Needle:

           The Blue Mosque:

(Note:  the Blue Mosque is not actually blue on the outside; but the slide being old makes it appear as though it is.)

           There are marble columns here that are the largest in the world – 19 in. diameter.

           Then we went to the Bazaars.  They cover about 4 miles and are all inside.  It reminded me of the markets in Mexico City – everyone trying to sell you something and very junky.  We bargained and I finally got a little ash tray for a pack of cigarettes.

Tonight we went to a Turkish night club and drank Raki (a non-sweet, anise-flavored spirit consumed as an aperitif) – what the Turks drink.  You’ve never heard such carryings on as most of the people did about the place.

Tomorrow we go to Jerusalem, and I have certainly enjoyed Turkey.