So, you want pictures of my escape from the Crusaders, right at Christmas? Okay. Be careful what you wish for.

The next few days will be mostly photos, not much story. There isn’t much story to tell.

I’m staying at the Empress Zoe. It was dark when I arrived, so all I could photograph was the house cat.

I arrived just in time for dinner. I’m on a tourist street and allowed myself to be finagled into maybe the most touristy restaurant on that street. Here is my server, firing and destroying the clay pot that contains my dinner. High drama, ordinary food, but it was fun.

Below much of this area are remains of Topkapi Palace. It used to be much bigger than it is now. Someone told me these were service areas, which makes sense. So after dinner I got a look at the basement.