We went to the Blue Mosque today.  The architecture is absolutely beautiful.  As a tourist site there were very detailed regulations that were placed at a side entrance for tourists—covered shoulders, long pants for men and shawls and skirts for women.  It was funny how some tourists need two or three scarves in order to look decent enough to go in.  It was obvious that this was the tourist entrance not only because of the location, but also because of the accommodations made to help people respect the dress code.  We had forgotten our scarves at the hotel so we had to get one from the many they had available there.  These, however, seemed as they were cut from a bed sheet and were all blue.  They also had plastic bags for us to put our shoes in and several signs telling us when no shoes were allowed.  When stepping inside the mosque I was amazed by all the intricate detail of the artwork.  Every foot of ceiling, floor, and walls were covered in some kind calligraphy or floral design.  The only things that were somewhat plain were the five-meter diameter columns that were still impressive to look at. 

Another interesting thing that happened that ay was while Nerlin and I were wandering around we saw an injured man who was bleeding quite a bit from some area on his arm.  There was a big puddle of blood that was forming fast right under him.  I was impressed, however, by the speed and effectiveness of the people around him.  One shopkeeper close by took control and started to keep the guy propped and awake.  While other people rushed to bring supplies and begin applying a tourniquet on his arm another person was trying to get a hold of a car to transport him someplace else.  As a group of people put him what seemed like a garbage truck, the shopkeeper was yelling and clearing the streets.  It all happened quite quickly and once it was over someone came to wash away the book.  The only thing that was left to remember the incident was the stain of blood left on the sidewalk.   Everyone was so quick to act and willing to help.  They went out of their way to help the man.  It was a pleasant reminder of the goodness that exists in people.