Sunday, May 15, 2011

Partager Istanbul



Guess where I have been?  I have finally made it to Istanbul!   It was all and more than I ever expected.  


It is the city to  "Leave the world ... Feel the moment".  
From the southern tip of Kumkapi, near the shores of the Sea of Marmara and the fishermen's village, across the south of the Golden Horn, across the Bosphorous Sea via the Galata Bridge, up the Tunel to the hip area of Beyoglu, on the ferry to Harem Bus Terminal and back to the Orient Express Train Station, through the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, up and down the many floors of the photgraphy stores on the main streets, watched my husband get one of the best shaves of his life, ... explored each alleyway of the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market,  searched for the best Kofte (we all voted for Tarihi Sultamahmet Koftecisi) ... and at the end of each day, cocktails on the rooftop terrace of the  Pierre Loti, or our cordial hotel, the Ottoman Hotel Park  (highly recommended if you like to stay a bit out;  in a more familial neighborhood) ...    now a mosaic of images, scents, colors, warm generous people, everywhere ... , CARPETS, art, bargaining, tea cups passing on trays in the street ..
I already feel the need to return ... so much we did, and so much left to do ....


I wasn't the only person from Paris visiting .. it looks as though Paris Imperfect was there at the very same time ... maybe we were sitting across from each other on one of the many ferries, or eating a delicious Kadayif or Kundfe pastry and sipping cay? 


It was my trip of a lifetime,
Tesekkur ederim, thanks Mr. T.
Just to tease you a bit....
Sunset at Pierre Loti


Alleyways near Grand Bazar

Blue Mosque

For more of Istanbul, take a look!



PPxx