To the Black Sea
Sabine and I got up early today, skipped breakfast and headed for the ferries, to get on the boat along the Bosphorus. We had to be there early to score a seat with a view… However, we were a bit lost with all the ferries on offer, and all the guys trying to sell us their […] Read More
As time goes by…
Sabine and I strolled into a most interesting art exhibition today, more or less by accident, looking for another gallery. We saw Christian Marclay’s The Clock today. He made a 24-hour-movie, assembled by countless snippets of other movies, in which a scene indicates a certain time, shows a clock, wristwatch… The movie is shown around the clock […] Read More
Under ground
Back into the old town for the third day in a row, we went to the Archeological Museum today, maxing out our Museum card, then had a stroll downhill to the little Hagia Sophia mosque, and through a small bazaar. However, the highlight of the day surely was underground: we visited the ancient Basilika cistern […] Read More
Imperial
Today being the first fully sunny day, we nonetheless visited Topkapi, the Imperial Palace at the heart of Istanbul’s old town. As the palace is surrounded by a huge park, and spread over many buildings, we enjoyed a good mix of visits of buildings and exhibitions and strolls through the park, sitting in the sun. […] Read More
Old town
I feel like we did it all in one day. We walked through Beyoglu and down to a little local fish market, where they sold fresh catch, sometime still alive and wriggling… Sabine had a spicy fish sandwich, and the birds enjoyed a snack, too. Over the bridge, and after the last drops of rain, […] Read More
Introducing Sabine
After another day of rain, I took the tram and metro today to go back to the airport, to wait for my sister. She’ll be here for ten days and we’ll explore the city together. Back home, we decided to stay in for dinner, I whipped up some mac ‘n cheese and a salad. And […] Read More
Rain check
I woke up pretty late – I sleep well in this bed – to the sound of pouring rain. The water was running down my street in front of my window. I spent most of the day inside and on the couch, reading, and eating. I only went to the supermarket to get some fruit, […] Read More
In the heart of Tel Aviv
I finally booked my place in Tel Aviv. I was really late this time and a lot of apartments were gone or partially booked for my time there. But I found a nice, central place with Adi, and it’s close to the beach and the Yemenite Quarter, where I already stayed in 2012. I’m looking […] Read More
Re-settled
I moved to my new place this morning, in the middle of Beyoğlu again. It’s only a short walk to the main shopping street, and all the side streets with bars and restaurants, but my street is totally quiet, no through traffic, and a police station at the end. Feels good. I unpacked again and my […] Read More
Harassed
So far, the trip has gone remarkably well, without any incidents or accidents. Well, until Istanbul. Walking home from the hamam and the restaurant on Tuesday, I passed into my neighborhood, an area of Beyoglu that is clearly poorer, more run-down than the blocks around Istiklal street. The houses are old, some abandoned, the streets […] Read More