to asia

Sunday I traveled by ferry to the Asian side to visit a colleague.

The Bosporus is like the streets of Istanbul chaotic and crowded yet somehow it is navigated. Forever full of ships, of all sizes.

Looking back to Istanbul, reminds me of the circle line, you see the city all up hill from the sea, the skyscrapers against the old city.

I have become interested in the trees of Istanbul.

In a city of 15 million there is not a lot of room for trees, yet they are protected, as best can be.

I had heard on the Asian side that I would find trees in the middle of the streets.

And yes my colleague lives on top of a hill, the view to the bridge, which connects the two continents over the Bosporus, and the view back to the European side of Istanbul

The city of tulips

As this was taken last weekend 27 march

You can see they are already in bloom,

(today 3 April I am headed to the official tulip festival)

I found a park ,yildiz park, wandering paths and teahouses amongst trees!

And again one must walk straight up hill and the view out to the seaside. The cargo ships hundreds a day, are enormous even from here.

My favorite mosque

Rustem Pasa Camii

I have visited this mosque on each trip to Istanbul and often many times.

I remember the first time, when Jim and I tired to find the entrance.

As this tiny mosque, is hidden amongst the shops and street vendors of the Egyptian Bazaar.

It is in fact above them you enter, if you can find it through the street stalls and up the stairs you come to a courtyard. There the noise, the crowd, the chaos of the Bazaar disappears.

The mosque is special. It s completely tiled floor to ceiling. The tiles are quiet extraordinary they represent the finest period of Iznik tile production.

Lunch

Along with tulips and cherry blossoms spring has brought some most interesting lunch venues as well,

Durum, made of spicy bulgur with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, mint and a squeeze of lemon rolled up tight. For 3 lira

The following day I had to part with 5 liras for a very fresh smoked fish sandwich right off the boat.

The golden horn park is across from the university.

So now that it is spring it is the perfect spot for lunch.

Blossom

Over night the city bloomed

Tulips and cherry trees abound.

The church, St Stephen of Bulgars, in the background is an oddity a neo gothic structure built entirely of cast iron.

everywhere a view

From everywhere in Istanbul there is a view to the seaside, as it is called.

Of course this means that to go anywhere in Istanbul you must walk straight up hill.

I will have to pay more attention once I am back state side, but I do not recall that we fly so many flags so large and stately.

preparing for spring in istanbul

I have to make a note about the dogs and cats of Istanbul

They navigate the city of 15 million as strays; perhaps not really, as they are well taken carry of my everyone. You see businessmen come out of offices with bags of pet food and fresh water. They sleep with out fear. It is really sociologically a very interesting cultural tradition.

And expresses the deep sense of humanity with in this increasingly crowed urban landscape.

The parks are being spruced up.

In a city of 15 million green space is in short supply and precious.

Bikes , you do not see often, perhaps a sign of spring.

And yes the cafés are getting ready too, love that astro turf!