For our next adventure we are in Turkey, first stop Istanbul. We had visited Turkey together just over 11 years ago but didn't come to Istanbul, so this is quite exciting for me. Our last trip was along the southwest coast, first by boat and then by car (the screaming white cola can), a hot August jaunt along the Med.
This time we arrived to mid-70's, sunny and dry, lovely Istanbul. Helena is reveling in the cleanliness and balmy weather of this fine city after 6 months in India, and the sweltering sticky filth of Delhi. We have rented a flat in the Beyoglu district, which sees fewer tourists than the old town area of Sultanhamet, and it's refreshingly quiet. The flat is sunny and breezy with immaculate hardwood floors, 2 bedrooms and a full kitchen, and we are in heaven (Helena had sussed out this area on her last trip to Istanbul in 2009).
Yesterday we did some organizational stuff, getting a local SIM card, some groceries, etc., but also walked a lot looking at a few of the sights (and getting a taste of the legendary bazaar) before attending the art opening of Helena's old friend and mentor from Vienna, Zekeriya Saribatur (we had timed our arrival to make the opening). Zekeriya is an internationally acclaimed Turkish artist who was tutor to Helena while she was at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and is now an Assistant Professor there. The exhibition is an on-going collaborative group effort by 3 artists of diverse nationalities working mainly in oils, print and mixed media. We both enjoyed the works and the space the exhibition in is amazing, a centuries-old huge stone building of adjoined cuppolas, the kind you get only in Turkey.
Today it is more sight seeing - for me, as Helena has seen everything on her prior trips to Istanbul. Although Helena is looking for inspiration for her textile designs and there is no doubt she will find it here.
Photo: We have our first glass of Turkish tea and our first cheese borek. Yay! Food report to come.
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