Cruise on the Bosphorus

Yesterday Senol and I took a cruise on the Bosphorus which was great. We saw where all of the rich people live which is an interesting contrast to the rest of Istanbul. It looked like it was the hollywood hills with an old castle thrown in for good measure. Senol and I drove to Ortakoy and had some fantastic dessert then took the boat in the evening as the sun was about to set, after the cruise we went up to Taxim to meet Emrey and his wife Sarah for dinner and more dessert. There are entire stores dedicated to turkish delights :). It makes me happy. Hmm, on Friday I was in a bookstore and a 23 year old boy looked over to me and said, "that book is hard?" meaning a long book and difficult to read and I laughed...then of course he asked me why I was reading a book in Istanbul and would I like to have tea. Reading for entertainment by a tourist is just not done I guess? Anyway I had to insist that I like to be alone which is sorta true but sorta not...I miss you all. I'll be back in eight days! Love
RTK

Walk like American

Whatever that means I take it as a compliment! My newest idea is to write down all of the fun things that people say to me as I make my way around Istanbul. It will be enjoyable for all envolved...except for the people whos names I will change. No really this evening around dinner time someone said that I walk like and American which I thought was peculiar because as I looked around I thought I walked like the Germans. However I was wondering how about 80% of people are correct about my native language. After that I went to the Hodjapasha for a Dervish Show. It is really titled the 'Mevlevi Sema Ceremony' and evolved from the Sufi order following Rumi's teachings. It was as though I was sitting in on an advanced yogic meditation class. There were five dervishes and a four piece orchestra playing a very hypnotic beat bringing us a little bit closer to God. The dervishes whirl with their right hands turned up toward God and the left turned down toward earth and they are vehicles for God's love to man. It was very interesting. you should check it out
love
rtk

A smile like turkish delight

Yep, thats me. Says my waiter. I could get used to this, now all I need is someone to peel my damn grapes. UhhOhh bad news, my camera won't turn on. I have replaced the batteries twice and all I get is a red light saying...stop...you were awful to me before and I will not longer work for you. So sorry guys, if I can convince my personal photographer to accompany me on all trips then you will have something to look at but if not you will have to rely on my highly descriptive writing.
Today I made it out of the house!!! I went down to the Grand Bazaar where I got some spanking good deals and then to the Camberlitas Hamam which is by far the best one that I have been to. The room was not as hot as the others that I have visited so I didn't feel like crap after. My scrubber was a pleasant older lady and the room was for women only. There was even a jaccuzi! This Hamam is where they filmed a part of Indiana Jones so you know it is quality. The locals leave it for the tourists and really I enjoyed the extra bit of coddleing provided. Anyhow the last two pictures that my camera took are here. One is of the street life right after getting off the ferry and into old town and the other is from the overpass by senol's house on the way to the bus stop. the bus stop is along the highway on the right.

Happy Birthday EAC

Liz Happy Birthday! I had a party for you. Well I am going to make chocolate pudding anyway. It is the end of your birthday for me and I did a lot of lounging today. Senol says that it is all that I do and yesterday his brother called me 'simple'. I think our relationships are working very well and we are starting to understand eachother. Today I took a long nap and then went to the grocery store, I was amazed at the amount of food that I could buy for 15 turkish lyra as it seems that one sandwich costs about 15 tl on the tourist circuit. There was also a farmers market of sorts (including the cheap clothes vendor) on the way back so I also got some fresh peaches, eggplant and zucchini which I probably won't cook until they are about to go bad but at least there is the option. Tomorrow I have high hopes of making it to the Grand Bazaar and then maybe the Camberlitas Hamam but that was my goal for today also. We will see. Have a wonderful Wednesday! I'll be back in the States in 12 days.
love
rtk

Contrast

The old and the new. Today I went with Tumay, Senol's girlfriend, to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. It was nice to leave the busy streets of the city and enter the quiet salons of MOMA. There were two travelling exhibits on display both concerning fashion. the first was a designer/artists rendering of different aspects of Istanbul. He called it the she-city and wrote poetic discriptions of various and at times contrasting parts of city life. I read about Taksim, the doves, the lillies, turkish delight, Galata bridge, Dolmabache palace, the Bosphorus, and the night of Istanbul. I am proud to say that I have experienced all of these things...like I could have worn all of the dresses on display which brings up another interesting point of the female form used as a hanger for art. HMM. The other exhibit had a great theme of metamorphosis. It addressed seasons as well as travel and displacement. struck a chord with me as I have been on the road for quite some time and feel like I have really come back into myself. I appreciate the routines of bed early, light breakfast, shower, getting in touch with you all and checking out news etc. I have discovered some of my triggers like heat, crowded spaces and not having adequate down time. These these things are pretty universal huh. Back out of my head and to the day.
Tumay and I did some shopping around Kadikoy and then I came back by bus to Senol's where I am putting my feet up and catching up about the day. Here are some pictures of the museum n me.

Heeeey

Hi-I am back in Istanbul and pretty excited about it. I am going to do the next few days like a tourist. Maybe I'll get a visor and fanny pack. It is quite a waste to buy these things as I could have taken moms but I had not realized the strength of the genes. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow after day one of money spending in Istanbul. Hey did you know that Istanbul is the 2010 European capitol of culture (sounds like a marketing ploy)

the lake

Senol, his uncle and I went to a mountain lake today to get away from the village. We really have no plans during the day which can get a bit boring and so when the opportunity arose we jumped on it. The mountains reminded me of alaska with a large stream running through. After our drive we went to a restaurant (a balcony where they serve tea and light snacks) and his uncle smoked the hookah while I ate bread, honey and cheese. Everything is superfresh to reiterate. Last night the young (under 40) crowd went up to the families house on the top of the mountain. We BBQ'd and chatted away from the adults. The girl cousins taught me a few moves for belly dance which was fun. Well have a great weekend! I am going to read my book and play solitaire I think...unless someone offers to drive somewhere. Here are some pictures from the U2 concert and the village
ciao
RTK