Thoughts on Istanbul

So - we've left Istanbul, as well as Lizzie and Kate. A bunch of random thoughts:
1) Istanbul is a very interesting place - as it combines so much of what I've seen in Europe and what I expect to see of as we continue southeast into the Middle East.
2) Learning the Islamic culture, traditions, and customs, specifically regarding the mosques, the way people pray, the call to prayer, etc., is so different than anything I've ever seen. The people are incredibly devout, and also incredibly friendly.
3) Turkish men love western women. Whether it's Sarah's long blond hair or Lizzie and Kate's skirts that don't cover their knees, the Turkish men have no problems stairing and/or commenting. Considering I'm with my wife and sister, it's moments like that when I'm glad I don't understand Turkish.
4) Istanbul is a touristy place, full of people shoving menus in your face and people trying to con you into their carpet store. When we walk by random places, we get many funny comments, including, "Are you Sultan?", referring to the 3 girls I am with.
5) Lizzie and Kate were determined to party it up, so we went to some nightclubs. Pretty standard Eurotrash style. La Reina, which has an entrance where if you're too fancy to show up via car, you can just dock your yacht. Lizzie and Kate met some nice Brazillian men who worked for their daddy that showed them a good time. Sarah and I were long asleep at this point.
6) The Bosphorus is very interesting, especially when you consider just how strategic Istanbul / Constantinople has been throughout history - controlling access to the Black Sea, etc. You know you've made it when you have a spot on the Boshporus, 1/2 an hour north of Istanbul, with a boat garage.
7) The spice market. I've never seen anything like it. Piles and piles of all the spices you can imagine. Getting used to the smell took a while, but a unique place.
8) Food. Lots of lamb and chicken. Turkish coffee is like a dense espresso. Not my favorite. I've grown to love the lamb or chicken doner sandwiches - think Turkish fajitas you can buy on the street for about 4 Lira. Very tasty.
9) The beer is never cold enough, although I'm starting to enjoy Efes beer.
10) The history is obviously tremendous. We've seen Atilla the Hun exhibits, Alexander the Great's tomb (found in present day Lebanon), Suleyman the Magnificent's mosque and tomb, Cathedrals built over 1400 years ago, etc. Tons of Byzantine and Roman ruins, the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, etc.
11) When I typically think of Christian religous history, I think of Rennaisance style art and architecture in Europe. Looking at the art and architecture in Turkey is fascinating. It's not nearly as beautiful or ornate, but it's hard to fathom that some of it is from almost 1000 years before the Rennaisance.

Pics and more to come.