Istanbul: and lighting the Hagia Sophia
She was obsessed with lights, you see. There was something about them. Something about their power to illuminate and cheer. Something about their way of turning energy into magic, of casting shadows, of hypnotizing.
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Her best friend wound her way sensibly through Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, admiring the stunning ceiling, the lovely mosaics, the ornate ironwork. But the blogging girl just stood there, transfixed, staring…. at the lights….
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People passed her by and whispered. But she didn’t care.
Images by Maryam
P.S. Congratulations to beautiful Julie of the lovely Belle Vivir blog on her new and fabulous store, Coco Vintage Furniture.
P.P.S. Many thanks to the Rising Blogger for giving this little blog an award for this post.
beautiful...I can see why you were transfixed.
Posted by:hammocks | February 04, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Please tell me you are going to put one of those lights in Peacock Pavilions
Posted by:Di Overton | February 04, 2008 at 05:20 PM
mesmerizing
Posted by:Lynne | February 04, 2008 at 06:16 PM
The blogging girl has exquisite taste!
Posted by:Nora | February 04, 2008 at 07:08 PM
I would be caught by the same lights I suspect and be hypnotised.
Posted by:mary | February 04, 2008 at 08:12 PM
aahhhhh... the light - so beautiful...
Posted by:jen | February 04, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Maryam, I've missed so much! Those lights, the colours of Istanbul . . . those lights!
Posted by:this is glamorous | February 04, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Ah ... in these dark winter nights and I need light!
My dear, my blog is backup - and it should it reg. programming this weekend hopefully.
You take care
Posted by:lacithecat | February 04, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Gorgeous lights! And congrats on your award.
Posted by:Paris Parfait | February 04, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I love it when I log onto my Google reader and see you have posted. I'm transfixed too.
Posted by:barbara | February 04, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Its amazing- I find when i am travelling that something transfixes me. Eg in the Louve it was the ceiling and I just stood and stared at it for ages...
Then my mind "boggles" and I cannot really concentrate on much else. Same with lights :o)
Posted by:simon | February 04, 2008 at 09:58 PM
It's no wonder you stopped and stared at the lights, after that incredibly vibrant color of the marketplace!!
Posted by:Karen Cole | February 05, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Thank you for being my eyes until I can get to Istanbul myself. Those lights are beautiful.
Posted by:tangobaby | February 05, 2008 at 12:42 AM
oooooooh - you know i love the lights.... so moody here. i love it.
Posted by:designdna | February 05, 2008 at 01:32 AM
These are beautiful lights!
Posted by:melissa @ the inspired room | February 05, 2008 at 01:40 AM
what beautiful lights, cant get enough of this blog...keep on coming back, love it :)
Posted by:M.Kate | February 05, 2008 at 01:45 AM
.........AND CONGRATS MARYAM, you are my all time fav blogger :) have a great week ahead
Posted by:M.Kate | February 05, 2008 at 02:26 AM
exquisite, it pulls one off to a fantasy kingdom.
but even more than the lights, I was pulled to the color of the walls - marble, I imagine? - in picture #2. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
Posted by:Hayden | February 05, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Maryam, beautiful post. Somehow the world of e-mail has kept us apart. Hopefully you saw my last message, and will be in touch soon.
Posted by:AphroChic | February 05, 2008 at 02:53 AM
That looks great Maryam. I wish I were there.
P.S. thank you so much for the mention and for your comment on my blog. The wall paper in my room is from Ferm Living.
Posted by:julie at Bv | February 05, 2008 at 04:03 AM
totally stunning. i love it!
Posted by:cassandra | February 05, 2008 at 05:36 AM
totally stunning. i love it!
Posted by:cassandra | February 05, 2008 at 05:37 AM
Oh yes!! The lights, they hold a special magic!! Maryam, your photos are more than stunning!!
Posted by:A Fanciful Twist | February 05, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Those pictures are so beautiful - I'd love to go to Istanbul (and I'm sure I will someday). Thanks for taking your readers there with your words and pictures.
Congrats on your award too!
Posted by:Jacqueline | February 05, 2008 at 06:06 AM
beautiful lights! The icehotel is a magical place, I hope you can see the hotel some day. Right now Im just dreaming of the sun and warmer weather
Posted by:Elisa Day | February 05, 2008 at 08:11 AM