We made it to Istanbul! Rick Steves was on our same connecting flight to Germany! Rounding out our group are fellow travelers from Seattle: Kevin Krycka and Jeanette Rodriguez from Seattle University and Jessie Dye of Earth Ministry. Our Acacia guide who flew out earlier from Renton, Ali, met us at the airport and helped us get into our hotel and took us to Pirpirim for a traditional Turkish meal. An educator from Istanbul, Hasan, joined us for dinner.

Our hotel, Barcelo Eresin Topkapi is right near the wall to the city built by the Byzantine Empire.

This morning we are off to: Topkapi palace, Hagia Sofia, Bazalica Cistern, Turkish & Islamic Art Museum, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, the Egyptian Bazaar.