DAY 8 ISFAHAN - 2

 Isfahan is generally considered to be Iran's crown jewel and it's easy to see why. Broad tree-lined boulevards and a public square...Naqsh-e Jahan now Emam Khomeini Square...is spectacular. It's said to be the second largest public square in the world and seem to be the center of life in Isfahan. From morning to night it's filled with Iranian families mostly just hanging out and eating. There are 2 large mosques and a palace that dominate the square and they are attached by arched buildings with storefronts. In back of the storefronts and running like rabbit warrens is a bazaar that must spread for several square kilometers. Closer to the square vendors are selling tourist items...further back it could be anything. Since many of the tourists are Iranians from the parts of the country the tourist souvenir items tend to fall into the 3-D winking Jesus category or Persian carpets...generally speaking the prices for carpets has been high and I haven't been tempted to buy anything.

Back to the mosques...they are both easily the most impressive religious structures I've seen on this trip.

Th first mosque was for the ruling family, and as such was not intended for public use (pics are above...can't figure out how to move them)

The second mosque was more of a complex, with several wings housing schools (madrasa) as well as huge areas for public worship.

Lunch was pretty tasty...I had chicken leg (braised in a tomato-y sauce) with barberry rice and everyone else dish was nicely presented.

Back to the hotel for a nap before heading back out to the bazaar for a round of shopping. I walked back to the square with everyone else but split off by myself so I could just seat on a bench and people watch. For dinner I went back to the same french fries stand and had another enjoyable evening of relaxing.