That’s right, I’m in Istanbul.
Via my boss, who knows everyone everywhere in the world, I was asked to speak on Family Planning issues at the annual meeting of the Turkish Business Women Association. I have to admit I was not happy about traveling again so soon, but of course, now that I am here, I am so glad I said yes.
First Impressions (and photos)
It is so cool that one part of the city is in Europe (the left of that bridge) and the other in Asia (the right side).
I have never seen so many ships as in the Sea of Marmara. Apparently, they are all waiting for inspection and clearance to head up to the straight to the Black Sea. I’m told that the Marmara is not clean enough to swim in. And yet, I saw fisherman everywhere – along the Sea and jockeying for prime spots on the bridges. I can’t figure out how, if the water is too dirty to swim in, anyone would want to eat the fish…
I’m dying to hit the bazaars
The ancient architecture is as unbelievably gorgeous
as the modern stuff is ugly.
And the Turkish flag is EVERYWHERE. Apparently this a show of solidarity agains the Kurds in Iraq. (UPDATE – Wrong. It is because Monday is Republic Day…)
Despite the rising tensions between Turkey and Iraq, things appear quite safe here. There are toursists everywhere and everyone seems calm (though I did see a fair number of police). Then, just after I checked into my hotel, I heard a chorus of chanting voices, and a small but well-orqanized march passed down the avenue outside. I suspect these are Turks pushing for war.
That’s it for now. I have to hunker down and finish writing this talk so I can relax and enjoy myself. Tonight, a reception at a palace on the Bosphorus!
I apologize for the bad photos – I didn’t realize that my camera settings were on manual and the wrong ISO speed.
So you can’t swim the Hellespont? DARN!
Hope you have a great trip anyways!
Do you know the story of Hero and Leander? Hero lived on one side (Sestos), and Leander on the other (Abydos), and Leander (being in love and all) swam the Hellespont to get to Hero, but then drowned there. It’s not QUITE where you are, but still and all!
Byron made the swim, and then wrote “After Swimming from Sestos to Abydos”
If, in the month of dark December,
Leander, who was nightly wont
(What maid will not the tale remember?)
To cross thy stream, broad Hellespont!
If, when the wintry tempest roar’d,
He sped to Hero, nothing loth,
And thus of old thy current pour’d,
Fair Venus! how I pity both!
For me, degenerate modern wretch,
Though in the genial month of May,
My dripping limbs I faintly stretch,
And think I’ve done a feat today.
But since he cross’d the rapid tide,
According to the doubtful story,
To woo, — and — Lord knows what beside,
And swam for Love, as I for Glory;
‘Twere hard to say who fared the best:
Sad mortals! thus the gods still plague you!
He lost his labour, I my jest;
For he was drown’d, and I’ve the ague.
Can’t beat bardiac, so I’ll just say have a great trip!
Sheesh. I could use a trip like that… Keep those photo’s coming…
Thanks for the poem, oh Bardiac. You are truly the Bard of my blog.
Did you know the work Bosphorus means something like “cow path” and is named for Lo, who slept with Zeus, till he turned her into a cow so Hera wouldn’t figure out he was once again cheating on him. Hera, being no idiot, knew what was going on anyway, and send flies and nasty bugs after Lo the cow, who ran straight from the Black Sea to the Agean to get away from the bugs, cutting out the Bosphorus strait as she went.
No poem, though….
I didn’t know about Io! But, of course, I had to go look her up and all. Way cool!
What a wonderful trip, poor you!
I’ve not been but would love to visit the bazaars…Have a great time and do lots of shopping!
I await with anticipation the recipes you bring back from Turkey!
– OBS Housekeeper