Post written by Marian Beumer: 

"It was a beautiful sunny day as Krista and Sara led the way to meet up with our guide for a spiritual walking tour in the Beyoglu area of Istanbul. 

Cosmopolitan and paradox  describe  today's experiences. 

Sufi house - artifacts include coffee making tools, instruments, beads and hats, marbleized artwork  and whirling dervishes.  Turkish axiom when feeling paralyzed - "don't stand like a kos." Kos = big drum.

We visited several churches, mosques and a former Jewish synagogue now an art center. Regardless of the three main faith traditions we encountered, women are mostly excluded from leadership and general participation.  I had a sense of the rich cross cultural history of Turkey as we went from one sacred space to another and also observed several embassies located in the area. 

The buildings are fully immersed in community - large yet tucked away. The interiors ranged from ornate to simple -with colorful windows and prayerful settings.  Women are invisible in most of the sacred spaces. In the Russian orthodox roof top church we observed women cleaning in worship space and their homes below.

Some other things I experienced today:

• Armenian priests singing - incense purifying: Armenians are known for speaking multiple languages and many work as translators in Istanbul.
• Near the Gunu water tower we came upon a former synagogue now art center and discovered the warm hospitality, Star of David and dark chocolate. The Jews -called followers of Moses in Turkey -brought the first printing press to Istanbul.
• Praying the Our Father with Catholics from around the world. African priest saying mass in English.
• Street art -more visible when businesses are closed on Sunday. Leo's name sprayed on numerous buildings.
• Dozens of police patrolling on the 2nd anniversary of the Gezi protests in contrast with a singular policeman praying in a 15th century mosque.
• The Nar Restaurant - jazz, burgers and refreshing drinks.
• Hasan's family's restaurant with view of the Bosporous.
• Stuffing ourselves into the bus and metro, we made our way back to the hotel.
• As darkness came, the nearly full moon and some stars emerged in the sky.