ISTANBUL is a magical city full of mystique and charm. Our nest is perched upon the hill where the famous Galata Tower resides in the Bohemian District of Beyoglu. The Old City is across the Galata Bridge, which we visit almost every single day. Istanbul is truly a wonderful city full of vibrancy and creativity with lots and lots of …
The Grand Bazaar…Istanbul, Turkey
THE GRAND BAZAAR, a sparkling gem, shines brightly below the shuffle of cars and taxis, trams and bustling streets, inviting a magical and mystical experience while invoking a powerful spell upon it’s beloved shoppers, welcoming all walks of life from around the globe. Imagine this! 3,000 shops, among 61 covered streets, artfully created by the hands of the 15th Century. …
Entering the New Mosque of Istanbul
We duck down to the right of the Galata Bridge, into the fish market. It’s loud, smelly and wet. I’m not sure what you were expecting – it is a fish market. We double back and at the entrance is a street vendor selling fish sandwiches. Our Aussie neighbors raved. We get one to go, walk onto the bridge with …
The Seven Hills of Istanbul
The seven hills of Istanbul are topped by seven mosques, a mystical Eastern parallel to the seven hills of Rome. From the Galata Bridge, spanning the Golden Horn as it empties into the Bosphorus strait from the west, one can see six of the hills, a stunning, ancient skyline. Across the strait lies Asia, the eastern bookend to the only …
Arrival in Istanbul
Once we reached Beograd, the anticipation for Istanbul mounted, despite our self-admonitions to always be present and enjoy our current “home address”. We board our half-full plane on Serbian carrier Jat Airlines, stretching out with an empty middle seat between us. We use up our final Serbo-Croatian please’s and thank you’s – molim’s and hvala’s – on the stewardess. The …
Beyond Backpacker: Digital Nomad in Zagreb
(from the journal, September 4th) Backpackers are strewn across the smooth cement of Zagreb’s train station. In between hostels, they consult thick Eastern Europe guide books, munch on chips, jot down memories in tiny journals, smoke cigarettes. They haul their giant packs from hostel to hostel, paying twelve bucks a night for a bunk, two dollars for a giant slice …
The Bucket List: Plitvice Lakes
(from the journal, August 31st) Poorer European countries get the cast-offs. Old, somewhat refurbished German and Austrian buses get a second chance in countries like Croatia, where I assume they are then driven another couple hundred thousand miles into the ground. Our bus is one such bus, with its German warning stickers adorning windows and doors. It rumbles down the …
Arrival In Split
(from the journal, August 18th) The bus from Zagreb to Split is five and a half hours with one bathroom break mid-way. You do the math. We pull up to the mid-point – a gas station and a 24-hour restaurant. The front and mid-cabin doors open and women hit the ground at a full sprint towards the facilities. Many, many …
Belgrade, Serbia. Reflections…
Cyrillic letters cast a vibrantly rich old worldly glow, inviting travelers from distant lands searching for a hint of resemblance to ones spoken word, to unravel the mysteries of a language so uniquelly woven with the keys and codes of a modern world. Language, an art form similar to the rhythms of music, art and dance is unique in nature. …
How I broke free of the Catholic Church…Zagreb, Croatia
Within the stoney and ancient walls of the Katedrala Cathedral, among the city of Zagreb,Croatia, rays of light and colorful reflections cascade, illuminating the etchings and designs of the stained glass windows, from high above. The ceiling anointed and blessed by paintbrushes centuries past, offer impressions of a deep blue sky with stars beaming light spiralling towards the heavens. Inspired …