we did leave eugene's around 4am and did make our flight. changed planes in amsterdam and after they had to take someone's cell phone out of checked baggage, our flight took off. first thing we saw after breaking through the clouds in istanbul was a soccer match and a marks and spencer store. touched down around 3pm. after negotiating the subway. to the tramway, we watched the city unfold in gray, rubble and gold.
stuffed into rush hour train, we managed to get off at our stop and were approached by about 4 people for "help." found the pension and crashed after a nearby dinner. the next few days were somewhat of a whilrwind. but the highlights were:
walking across the galata bridge and the main street in the cool suburb of beyoglu. a henry luc-bresson retrospective at the photography museum. were introduced to our first "immam blast" at 5am.
Next was The Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya (hagia sofia), one of the world's greatest builidings, fresh fish sandwiches along the ferry docks downtown. The spice bazaar and chaotic grand bazaar. stumbled upon a kebap house with peppers that burned like crazy.
next day was the grand bazaar, beyazite mosque near istanbul university. a super-lame calligraphy museum. two tombs. the suleymaniye camii (mosque). beyoglu on a saturday night must not be missed. throngs of people just walking and ducking into food stalls, bars and clubs. music at turku bar. the streets were still way alive way into the night.
awoke to an even more sadistic immam at 5:20am. Museum of islamic art and history. whirling dirvish show (total scam) Hamdi kebaps with equally impressive view.
next day we walked all over city trying to find the modern museum. when we finally got there it was closed. (the entire website was in turkish)
next day went straight to the museum, then on a quest to find addresistanbul, a modern home furnishing mecca. after two busses, 2 miles walking, and a cab, we found it. then delvi restaurant in samatya near the wall edge.
next day was the topkapi palace, center of ottoman politics and power and home to the sultans. visited the treasury, the harem quarters, and actual specimins of the muhammed's beard hair and a tooth.
stay tuned ....
March 26, 2006
March 23, 2006
Glasgow march 9
our flight was delayed but we made it into glasgow aok at around 10pm. scolded for using the video camera in the baggage claim then made our way to the bus and buchanan station.
walked to Eugene's and arrived around 11:00. he greeted us in style and whipped up a dinner.
on friday, we hit some of the basic spots -- merchant city, george's square, Gallery of Modern Art, Buchanan St (the shopping mecca 2nd in UK only to London) a very mediocre cottage pie from the frozen food section but it was sustenance then went to meet David Shrigley.
we had a great time at the Ubiquitous Chip and it was wonderful to meet him. then we met Eugene's friends at Ische Bar and had one of their "low end's," craggenmore 12 along with the local "Tenants".
Next morning took us to Edinburg where we wandered the city and saw the show Eugene and friends were showing work at. it was great but we got there just before closing so was only able to see Eugene's piece - which was very inspiring. had lunch and coffees in Edinburg then took the train back. Eugene made a fabulous dinner party with orzo salad as a centerpiece. we're going to a party but when we found out it wasn't starting till 2 or 3, decided to go to 'The Arlington' a proper scottish pub according to the bar man. Got home at a descent hour to snow that didn't stop until late the next day.
an unusual 1 foot dropped. eugene graciously trudged with us to the tramway art space. then trudged through the slush to the people's museum which was closed, had a relaxing rest of the day. the rest was a blur. "the state" and "The Hark" and "oneils" were the order of the night. not to be outdone by a fabulous bolognese Eugene made before we went out that hit the spot.
On monday, we made our way to the West Side, with a few detours to the transit museum, g'gow uni, Hunterian Museum, and the mackintosh house. very good indian food that night with Eugene at 'wee curry shop' tuesday sent some mail, made a dash for the peoples museum, Eugene gave us a great tour of the art college (designed by mackintosh) then we were lucky enough to meet David again and be invited to Raquel's Portuguese dinner party - very nice of her.
finally, we are setting our alarms for 4am wed. to catch the flight to Istanbul. check back and see if we actually made it.
thanks to david and eugene's friends for hanging out with us and making us feel so at home.
thanks to eugene for being the consumate host and gourmand.
all our best, andy and sarah
walked to Eugene's and arrived around 11:00. he greeted us in style and whipped up a dinner.
on friday, we hit some of the basic spots -- merchant city, george's square, Gallery of Modern Art, Buchanan St (the shopping mecca 2nd in UK only to London) a very mediocre cottage pie from the frozen food section but it was sustenance then went to meet David Shrigley.
we had a great time at the Ubiquitous Chip and it was wonderful to meet him. then we met Eugene's friends at Ische Bar and had one of their "low end's," craggenmore 12 along with the local "Tenants".
Next morning took us to Edinburg where we wandered the city and saw the show Eugene and friends were showing work at. it was great but we got there just before closing so was only able to see Eugene's piece - which was very inspiring. had lunch and coffees in Edinburg then took the train back. Eugene made a fabulous dinner party with orzo salad as a centerpiece. we're going to a party but when we found out it wasn't starting till 2 or 3, decided to go to 'The Arlington' a proper scottish pub according to the bar man. Got home at a descent hour to snow that didn't stop until late the next day.
an unusual 1 foot dropped. eugene graciously trudged with us to the tramway art space. then trudged through the slush to the people's museum which was closed, had a relaxing rest of the day. the rest was a blur. "the state" and "The Hark" and "oneils" were the order of the night. not to be outdone by a fabulous bolognese Eugene made before we went out that hit the spot.
On monday, we made our way to the West Side, with a few detours to the transit museum, g'gow uni, Hunterian Museum, and the mackintosh house. very good indian food that night with Eugene at 'wee curry shop' tuesday sent some mail, made a dash for the peoples museum, Eugene gave us a great tour of the art college (designed by mackintosh) then we were lucky enough to meet David again and be invited to Raquel's Portuguese dinner party - very nice of her.
finally, we are setting our alarms for 4am wed. to catch the flight to Istanbul. check back and see if we actually made it.
thanks to david and eugene's friends for hanging out with us and making us feel so at home.
thanks to eugene for being the consumate host and gourmand.
all our best, andy and sarah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)