I've written before of the influence Nancy Drew has had on my reading and writing. She also whet my taste for travel through the adventures she had over the years, both in the United States and abroad. Nancy traveled to fascinating-sounding places like Moon Lake and Shadow Ranch early on in the series, but in the 1960s, Harriet Adams decided to take Nancy further afield: Kenya, Scotland, Peru, France, and Turkey.
In the years since I first read those books I have been lucky enough to travel to three of those countries, namely Scotland, France, and Turkey. Peru and Kenya are still on my last. In a book called The Mysterious Mannequin, Nancy heads off to Istanbul, thanks to a coded message in a Turkish rug and the mysterious mannequin of the title. While in Istanbul she visits the famous Grand Bazaar and the Great Cistern. It all sounded so exciting and mysterious when I was a kid.
Recently I followed in Nancy's footsteps. I flew to Istanbul with friends as part of a tour, and we visited the sites that Nancy saw. For me, the most important site in Istanbul was the church of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom), or Ayasofya as it is known in Turkish. This famous church has a long history, but the church that stands today was inaugurated in December 537 AD by the Emperor Justinian. It later became a mosque, and these days it is a museum. Standing in Hagia Sophia was a thrill for I felt surrounded by nearly 1,500 years of history.
We also visited Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Both of them are impressive, but for me Hagia Sophia soars above them, with its magnificent dome that has stood for fifteen centuries. Inside Hagia Sophia there is a place where there is a set of circles on the floor, called the Omphalion. This is where the Emperors of the Eastern Roman Empire were crowned. I stood there and gazed at it, imagining Justinian and his successors in that spot. The center and largest circle in the group is the coronation spot.
Long ago, when I first read The Mysterious Mannequin and was fascinated by Istanbul, I never imagined that I would travel there or that I would actually see these amazing sites. Now that I have, I'm thinking that I might have to devise my own fictional adventure set in Istanbul.
I'm so thrilled for you, Dean! Thank you for these lovely pictures. The first time we were in Istanbul, the scaffolding was still up on the interior of the Hagia Sophia. The next trip, it was down--and we were able to see the glorious interior as you did!
Posted by: Dana Cameron | June 11, 2014 at 05:39 AM
And then the whole thing would be tax-deductible! It sounds amazing, Dean.
Posted by: catriona | June 11, 2014 at 09:31 AM
Have you read Mehmet Murat Somer's very funny mysteries set in Instanbul? I've really enjoyed them. Dean, I'm so happy you got to take this trip!
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | June 11, 2014 at 12:12 PM
Catriona, tax-deductible is always good -- plus I met with my Turkish agent while I was there. I have not read Somer's mysteries, but now I plan to -- to see what I missed during my visit to Istanbul. :-)
Posted by: Dean (Miranda) James | June 11, 2014 at 12:30 PM
Hi Dean: I too devoured Nancy Drew mysteries, but somehow I missed the one set in Istanbul. I went to Turkey last year and was in Istanbul 4 days by myself, except for meeting with my lovely female guide during the day. I went to a Turkish bath she recommended and it was hevenly--all bubbles and tile floors and skilled hands making me feel like a queen. I'd love to go back.
Posted by: Joyce Moore | June 14, 2014 at 04:43 PM
Joyce, that Turkish bath does sound wonderful! If I ever make it back I will certainly have to try it.
Posted by: Dean (Miranda) James | June 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM