Istanbul, and Mail Art #112

Tuesday, noonish

 This is a photo of three mail artists in Istanbul. How cool is this. Kemal, me, and Katerina.  We're sitting in the lobby of the Peak Hotel, shortly after this, we'll be met by Katerina's friend, Mustafa, and we'll be off on an adventure.

 The famous Pera Palas hotel tea room. This hotel was built by the Orient Express so that the passengers would have a European fancy hotel to stay in at the end of their trip. Agatha Christie stayed here and "her" room is available for a look, when it's not occupied.

Monday afternoon

 This was taken shortly after we met Katerina at her hotel around the corner and chatted for awhile. It was so amazing how we felt so comfortable, like meeting a long time friend, after a separation.

 Had to insert this, a pen shop drew our attention, of course. But we managed to control ourselves.

 Another of the stands. I spelled the name wrong in the previous post - simit not cimit. It's pronounced with the "s" sound. The "c" in Turkish is a "j" sound.

 Love the tram.

#112

Looking UP the street. Notice the cars. They are big cars, not tiny cars. They navigate the narrow streets and turns amazingly. The Istanbulis seem to favor big cars.

Snowy days

I am always attracted by paintings of snow scenes, especially urban ones by the Impressionist painters. I think they remind me of growing up in Chicago, where the snow was abundant when I was growing up there. Well, I had my childhood memories come to life. These are scenes from my walk with Smitty yesterday. The alley behind our house, a street, our neighbors flag, another neighbors porch, and our dog straining to get home. I couldn't take any more photos as my camera froze and I was ready to get home too. I must add that Smitty is so low to the ground that he was hoping through the snow to keep from having to be immersed in it too long. He couldn't wait to get into the house. You should have heard him "huffing." And here, too, is my reflection, me, all bundled up with leg warmers and a hat with ear flaps.

Some final images of San Juan.

My last images to remember San Juan by... our lovely hotel entry way, the blue bricks that paved the streets, the sculpture in the little park in front of El Convento Hotel,
and the ubiquitous "vejigantes, " this one a cute stuffed toy in a souvenir shop window.

Calles of viejo San Juan