Continuing with tradition, Grandma and Grandpa Burton came to visit us for Easter this year. We found plenty of new things to do with them in Belgrade, including our favorite restaurant and sushi bar, and an evening in an escape room. We also learned that Peeps are great to roast for 'smores. The kids enjoyed showing Grandma and Grandpa some parts of Kalamegdan that they didn't see last year. We also took them up to Mt. Avala to see the radio tower and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Last time they were here (together with Grandma Pa and Papa David), we took them to Croatia and Bosnia. This year we went a bit further afield and flew to Istanbul. The city was an exciting mix of European and Middle Eastern culture. My favorite image was a display of swimsuits- ranging from bikini to full-body. Of course, the first cites we hit were the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a 15-hundred-year-old basilica-cum-mosque-cum-museum. The kids thought it was great to take off their shoes to enter a famous building. But honestly, the more impressive mosques were the lesser-known Little Hagia Sophia and the Suleymeniye Mosque. Little Hagia Sophia is slightly older than its larger counterpart, and was likewise a Byzantine church that was later converted into a mosque. You could see Greek writing along the dome, and Arabic script that had been added later. The Suleymeniye Mosque is the largest in Istanbul, and far more impressive than the Blue Mosque. It is about 500 years old. We also took a cruise up the Bosporus straits to see the Black Se (apparently that was on Grandpa Burton's bucket list--actually, he wanted to swim in it). Two other highlights were the ancient cistern--complete with a Medusa-headed column--and the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. We loved seeing the sarcophagi and the 3000+ year old Treaty of Kadesh on a stone tablet. Not something you find everyday. We also happened to be there during the tulip festival. Tulips figure prominently in Ottoman art, and in April the city is filled with them. And we spent a couple of hours in a park admiring the storks and parrots clamoring through the tree tops. And of course, we had some great food (and, frankly, some that was not so great). Andrew's favorite was the whole-pistachio-stuffed baklava, or as he called them, pistachio sandwiches. Eden discovered that Turkish delight isn't so delightful after the first few bites. Good thing she had a plate heaped with those weird, sugar-dusted gelatins. As great as it was to see Istanbul and visit a new country, I think we all agreed that the highlight of the visit (aside from just being together), was our roadtrip through Eastern Serbia. Along the Danube, we saw Viminacium, a Roman settlement that is gradually being excavated. So far, they have a burial ground, bathhouse, garrison, and coliseum uncovered. And they had a full mammoth and several other mammoth bones that had been discovered in nearby mines. Further down the river was the medieval Golubac fortress. And finally, the neolithic site of Lepinski Vir, that boasts the oldest known sculptures in Europe, dated at around 9000 years old! We stayed at a quaint bed and breakfast with a stunning view of the Danube and mountains. A nearby hike was named "Rooftop of the World," and lived up to its name. We loved it so much that we went back with friends a few weeks ago. It was another great Easter visit with grandparents. I hope they aren't board spending next Easter with us in DC.
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