Hi my friends!! What fun reading all your comments!!! I decided to post some more pix from yesterday’s stroll. They are not my best photos but really help give you a better feel of the overall street scene and “vibe” in Istanbul. We are getting ready to go on a cruise on the Bosphorous so I don’t have time to add much text, but the photos pretty well speak for themselves
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Kathe you asked about that bird…he seems to scavenge like a crow more than pick at the ground like a pigeon . I’ll find out what he is. It’s a very different bird!! And Joyva Halva can still be found in health food stores in the deli or in a cheese refrigerator case at specialty stores. You will love it!
Also the Whirling Dervishes were surreal!!! No photos allowed and we almost didn’t get there in time because of traffic. Our cab driver didn’t have change and gave us a 45 minute taxi ride at no charge. That’s just the way things are done here. The people are very kind, generous, and we love the shopping because it is low pressure and they actually seem apologetic about what they charge.
The newstand
Mickey D’s is everywhere on the planet
I love the frozen action in the pigeons towards the top
Baklava shops were everywhere
Turkish carpets???? Somehow this struck me as so funny. A great visual of the Sultans flying around the Orient on Indoor Outdoor astro turf rugs..lol
My kitty again
Oh and last night after the dervishes we ate at the premier Kebab restaurant in Istanbul called Hamdi Restorant
Wow the food was incredible. We had 2 different kinds of lamb kebabs, and they bring a gigantic , fresh out of the oven pita puffed up like a half deflated basketball to use with all the dips they bring to the table. With a bottle of wine, and a perfect cup of Turkish Tea, it was a meal I will never forget!!
More on today’s adventure to come!!!!
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And to my dear Egyptian jewlery designer friend Salwa, I got all your messages last night while I was sitting at the restaurant on my Iphone and wrote to you right away. I’ve been trying to contact you since April via Flickr, Facebook, your email and website….I must have sent 50 emails and even contacted Brea to see if she had more current contact info.
I cried all the way back to our room in the taxi I was so disappointed we missed each other!! I thought about you every single day in Egypt and hoped you were ok since you had not replied. I really really tried!! Hopefully you got my email last night. Please send me your phone number to [email protected] so I can at least call and we can chat a while. I’m sooooooooooooooo sad we missed each other by one day!!!!! Steve was also looking forward to meeting you too!!!
I love the old streets and buildings. The carpets do look out of place..Have a good day . love ya
I think the brown patched kitty should come back to the USA with you. She could go live with Diana and then I could see her too! Am loving taking this journey with you.
Wow! Your pictures are terrific. I loved the man with all of the ice cream cones. Did you check thew flavors? What a wonderful trip that all of us are on with you
Thank you so much for allowing us to travel with you! I dont post often, but I love seeing your pictures and hearing about your adventures! (Can you adopt me?)
jo
Those carpets are funny, and the lady at the newstand doesn’t look real impressed with being caught in the photo!
I agree with Claudia, the kitty should come home with you to live at Diana’s (hee hee) What do you think Diana?
looks like an interesting place 🙂
Hi Sandra, Thanks for more great pictures! I hope you had a chance to read my comments on yesterday’s post…it was my holiday so couldn’t use the computer until today. I LOVE that kitty!!! I think part of the reason is that his markings remind me of my wonderful Caesar (whom I was lucky enough to have for 21 years!). Can’t wait to find out about your cruise!
Lots of Love, Lois 🙂
OK-OK-OK ALREADY!!!! Bring the kitty home to the US of A and Diana will take it!!! Geesh–you’d think there are a few people in this state who know that I’m a sucker for brown tabby cats! Your adventure just keeps entertaining. Great pictures. And I’m especially liking all the comments! (Seriously-if you can get the kitty go ahead and bring it home!) Jim was laughing when I read him what I was writing.
Hugs
Diana
Wow, what an interesting cultural mix of everything! They certainly are the crossroads between Europe and the east. Wish I were there with you to soak it all up. Take care and keep sending those great pictures!!
hahaha……that Kitty is gettin closer and closer. I love that kitty’s markings and around the eyes he almost has an asian look. the contrast of colors on him is gorgeous!!! Lovely color all over the place from food to buildings and signs, right down to the famous Turkish rugs!! hahaha. now that is funny. At Menards Store near me they have fake Turkish rugs hanging inside the store…..its a “home” store……and in Turkey they feature indoor/outdoor carpeting right on the street. something’s odd there. hehehe. all the food makes my mouth water and after reading your posts i hafta have a snack!!! wish you could have photographed the dervishes but i understand. are they still a real religious group or just performers? cant wait to hear about the cruise! and see the pics!!!! Im wondering what turkish tea is like.
Loving the “street pix” ! Love to see the people and the buildings and everything about them!. It is too bad you couldn’t film the dervishes but understandable. And those carpets are really something I never thought I’d see, what a funny surprise!
Thnaks again for taking time out of your vacation to post all these cool pix and information!
Sandra , Thank you for taking us with you on this very exciting trip ! Enjoy all the colors and flavors of Istanbul, love it !
Hi Sandra,
Beautiful pictures. I love the everyday life shots. Yes, unfortunately McDonald,s is everywhere!
lad you were able to figure our I’m Kris S. in Eagan’s neighbor. They are such wonderful people. Kris has a soothing way about her The kids are great. Jesse has become a “big brother” to the younder boys. He is so patient with them. I enjoy talking to him. Emma is shy but beautiful, Anna has my personality at that age. I was telling my parents about her, and my Mom said, “oh another Julie Ann!” I felt so bad about Ivy. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet.
I would in the future love to order some of your beads. I have a home based jewelry business.