1. We arrived in Istanbul late at night.
On our way to the hotel, we passed right by a brightly lit Blue Mosque with some phrase I couldn't decipher. Looked very tacky. I didn't recall the mosque being this way when I was last in Istanbul (how many years ago was that...Seven???)
2. Around 4am in the morning, we were rudely awakened by drum beats. Some idiots were playing the drums on the streets. Seemed like they were making their rounds.
3. The next morning, we went to the Blue Mosque in the morning. The square inside was full of book stalls. OK...I'm 99% sure that this wasn't there 7 years ago. Something is weird..
4. Returning to the hotel for the evening, we walked by the mosque again. The whole entire street was a carnival scene! Food stalls (like this candy one) and shops everywhere!!! I'm positive that I didn't see this last time.
5. Once again, drum beats before sunrise.... What the heck?!
6. I took out my guide book to do some research. A phrase jumped out at me – something like "the area around the Blue Mosque is lined with food stalls to celebrate Ramadan". Could it be?!?!?!
7. Confirmed my theory with the receptionist downstairs.
Took a while, but at least I finally knew what all the lights & action were about.
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