Gobble gobble!

Play dough is great. I loved making stuff out of it with Olivia, Leslie. Emily, Michael, and Sarah.

Fulbrighter ETAs' Thanksgiving in Balikesir

 That's Michael! He's a great host!

 Michael and Eli...

 

 Olivia, Leslie, Sarah, Michael...

From Yalova I went to Balikesir via Bursa. ETA Michael was a fabulous host! ETAs Olivia, Sarah, Emily, Leslie and Eli - well, they are good cooks and lots of fun. :)

Yalova

I wanted to go to Yalova from Istanbul by ferry boat, but there were high winds and turbulent water, so the "vapur" was canceled. In that case, I went to the Buyuk Otogar in Istanbul and took a bus instead. I visited ETA Harun and his friend Holly as well Soner. Nice visit. Harun and Holly are hanging in there!

Dervishes

Back to the Yenikapi Dervish Lodge for a whirling ceremony. Best route from Topagi is taxi to Kabatas, then take the Zeytinburnu tram and get off at Cevivizlibag stop. It takes about 45 mins to an hr and goes through the old city, passing through Sirkeci (where the gar is), Sultan Ahmed, Istanbul U. etc. Get off the tram and walk straight up the hill to the lodge. It is on Mevlevihane Cad. in Merkez Effendi Mah.I took the picture above but not the one below since no photography allowed during the ceremony (thank goodness!)

Yenikapi Dervish Lodge in Cevizlibag

As part of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture activities, this concert took place at the Yanikapi Dervish Lodge and was given by the International Mevlana Foundation Association, They performed works of Zekai Dede. Classical Turkish music with tanbur. ney. kanun. oud. kemancha and cello and two solo women singers.

Organic market in Zeytinburnu

This organic market is next to the Yenikapi Dervish Lodge in Zeytinburnu. Best route from Topagci is taxi to Kabatas and get the Zeytinburnu tram all the way to the Zeytinburnu stop (it's a long way, so it takes about an hour), then walk up the hill. It is open on Saturdays.

Flavius Valerius Aurelius Contantinus

Does this remind you of anyone?

Statues and things in Istanbul's Archaeology Museum

Zeus

Goddess of Good Luck at Istanbul's Archaeology Museum

Lycian pieces at the Archaeology Museum

Very interesting to see these after seeing the Lycian tombs in Fethiye.

Archaeology Museum in Istanbul

Incredible! Fantastic! This museum is full of ancient artifacts, including several Lycian sarcophagi.

Istanbul MOMA

Visiting Istambul Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Excellent!!! Definitely worth the visit! Also nice that it's free on Thursdays.

Kurban Bayrm in Istanbul

November 16 - 19 was Kurban Bayram (sacrifice holiday - Ibrahim's faith). I am in Istanbul. This is the Tesvikiye Mosque near Emre's in Nisantasi. Looks so quiet. Usually a lot of people around.