There are some places in the world where the weight of history becomes palpable, and one is transfixed in awe at what they are seeing. The Hagia Sofia, in Istanbul, is one of them.

Conquering generals and Roman Emperors have walked through its doors, and wars have been fought over control of it. Today, it is a mosque, but it was once a museum, a church, and a temple. It is probably the most impressive religious structure I have ever been inside of, but what really struck me was that, for such a serious place, it held so much joy and happiness inside of it.

These children, playing tag on the green carpets that cover its floors, symbolize this perfectly.