One of my students at the university today was wearing a really nice necklace - wooden and beaded with loads of different colours. I told her it was a pretty necklace, and she took it off and gave it to me. I tried to refuse, saying it was very pretty *on her* and I couldn't accept, but she pushed it into my hands and walked off. Another student said I had to take it. So I did.
I'll be more careful making comments about peoples' possessions in future!
Thursday 29 October 2009
Saturday 29 August 2009
I am completely free at the moment. I won't start back at work until the end of September. I admit I have been wasting a lot of time lazing around at home - browsing the internet. I will regret that when I am older and time is running out.
On Thursday I made myself get up and leave the house in the morning to go exploring.
I took a minibus to Kadikoy, and got on a ferry to Besiktas. My vague plan was to go to Bebek and/or Emirgan Park, although I didn't know exactly where they were or how to get there. Public transport can be confusing in Istanbul.
View from the ferry:
Once in Besiktas, I took a bus heading towards Sariyer. I became distracted when I spotted Istinyer Park shopping centre, and got off the bus to indulge in some shopping. It was the nicest shopping centre I've been to in this city - so light and airy.
Then I headed to Bebek, which was lovely. I enjoyed the evening with an iced coffee at Caffe Nero and a read of the new British Cosmopolitan. The views were lovely. Wish I lived closer.
Took a bus back to Besiktas, and took the 7:45pm ferry back to the Asian side. The sun was setting over the city, and it was as though everyone was holding their breath waiting for the call to prayer, indicating fasting was over for the day.
I admire those who are successfully doing it - it's not easy in this heat and in August, the hours of fasting are so long. In daylight hours, most cafes and restaurants are empty, but after sunset, they are packed out, and many are doing special Iftar promotions. Even McDonalds and Pizza Hut are getting in on the act.
On Thursday I made myself get up and leave the house in the morning to go exploring.
I took a minibus to Kadikoy, and got on a ferry to Besiktas. My vague plan was to go to Bebek and/or Emirgan Park, although I didn't know exactly where they were or how to get there. Public transport can be confusing in Istanbul.
View from the ferry:
Once in Besiktas, I took a bus heading towards Sariyer. I became distracted when I spotted Istinyer Park shopping centre, and got off the bus to indulge in some shopping. It was the nicest shopping centre I've been to in this city - so light and airy.
Then I headed to Bebek, which was lovely. I enjoyed the evening with an iced coffee at Caffe Nero and a read of the new British Cosmopolitan. The views were lovely. Wish I lived closer.
Took a bus back to Besiktas, and took the 7:45pm ferry back to the Asian side. The sun was setting over the city, and it was as though everyone was holding their breath waiting for the call to prayer, indicating fasting was over for the day.
I admire those who are successfully doing it - it's not easy in this heat and in August, the hours of fasting are so long. In daylight hours, most cafes and restaurants are empty, but after sunset, they are packed out, and many are doing special Iftar promotions. Even McDonalds and Pizza Hut are getting in on the act.
Thursday 20 August 2009
FOOD
I used to be quite a squeamish eater. I only really ate fish and chicken and was rather fussy.
Since coming to Istanbul, my guard has gradually been worn down.
I now like midye dolma (stuffed mussels), midye tava (fried mussels), but today I finally bit the bullet and tried kokorec. That's lambs intenstines. I only managed a few bites. It smells bad. It has white crunch unidentifiable bits in it. It was quite gross and greasy. But I felt proud of myself for at least trying something new.
Midye dolma:
Kokorec (bear in mind that no photograph can do justice to the awful smell kokorec gives off):
Since coming to Istanbul, my guard has gradually been worn down.
I now like midye dolma (stuffed mussels), midye tava (fried mussels), but today I finally bit the bullet and tried kokorec. That's lambs intenstines. I only managed a few bites. It smells bad. It has white crunch unidentifiable bits in it. It was quite gross and greasy. But I felt proud of myself for at least trying something new.
Midye dolma:
Kokorec (bear in mind that no photograph can do justice to the awful smell kokorec gives off):
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