Turkey and China 2009 - turkeyandchina2009

Stinky fruit.JPG
Stinky fruit.JPG 2009-11-20

Pickin chicken.JPG
Pickin chicken.JPG 2009-11-21

Meat section-hanging carcasses.JPG
Meat section-hanging carcasses.JPG 2009-11-21

Meat bins.JPG
Meat bins.JPG 2009-11-21

Fruits and veggies.JPG
Fruits and veggies.JPG 2009-11-21

Dragon Fruit and oranges.JPG
Dragon Fruit and oranges.JPG 2009-11-21

veggies.JPG
veggies.JPG 2009-11-21

Frozen fish.JPG
Frozen fish.JPG 2009-11-21

More frozen fish.JPG
More frozen fish.JPG 2009-11-21

Sweets.JPG
Sweets.JPG 2009-11-21

Peppers, etc..JPG
Peppers, etc..JPG 2009-11-21

Deli dishes.JPG
Deli dishes.JPG 2009-11-21

Baked Sweets.JPG
Baked Sweets.JPG 2009-11-21

Prepared snacks.JPG
Prepared snacks.JPG 2009-11-21

Dumplings and breads.JPG
Dumplings and breads.JPG 2009-11-21

View from the escalator.JPG
View from the escalator.JPG 2009-11-21

Rice section.JPG
Rice section.JPG 2009-11-21

Long view across store.JPG
Long view across store.JPG 2009-11-21

Candy bins.JPG
Candy bins.JPG 2009-11-21

Carts on the escalotor.JPG
Carts on the escalotor.JPG 2009-11-21

Unidentified selections.JPG
Unidentified selections.JPG 2009-11-21

CCTV Tower.JPG
CCTV Tower.JPG 2009-11-04

veggie truck.JPG
veggie truck.JPG 2009-11-05

workers temp housing.JPG
workers temp housing.JPG 2009-11-20

entrance to park.JPG
entrance to park.JPG 2009-11-21

Kate and KungFu Panda.JPG
Kate and KungFu Panda.JPG 2009-11-21

Peg and Tailor.JPG
Peg and Tailor.JPG 2009-11-21

Crepe vendor.JPG
Crepe vendor.JPG 2009-11-22

Ho Li Lake lions.JPG
Ho Li Lake lions.JPG 2009-11-22

working bikes.JPG
working bikes.JPG 2009-11-02

bike as garden cart.JPG
bike as garden cart.JPG 2009-11-02

bike park lot.JPG
bike park lot.JPG 2009-11-05

dusty bikes.JPG
dusty bikes.JPG 2009-11-05

bike w lumber.JPG
bike w lumber.JPG 2009-11-06

bike repairs.JPG
bike repairs.JPG 2009-11-06

Loading the Bike.JPG
Loading the Bike.JPG 2009-11-12

tin can cab.JPG
tin can cab.JPG 2009-11-21

Hot Potato Bike.JPG
Hot Potato Bike.JPG 2009-11-21

Big Load Bike.JPG
Big Load Bike.JPG 2009-11-21

Bigger Loade Bike.JPG
Bigger Loade Bike.JPG 2009-11-21

Bike with recylcing.JPG
Bike with recylcing.JPG 2009-11-21

Ped-a-cab bikes.JPG
Ped-a-cab bikes.JPG 2009-11-22

MacDonalds delivery bike.JPG
MacDonalds delivery bike.JPG 2009-11-22

working bikes.JPG
working bikes.JPG 2009-11-02

bike as garden cart.JPG
bike as garden cart.JPG 2009-11-02

bike w lumber.JPG
bike w lumber.JPG 2009-11-06

Loading the Bike.JPG
Loading the Bike.JPG 2009-11-12

tin can cab.JPG
tin can cab.JPG 2009-11-21

Hot Potato Bike.JPG
Hot Potato Bike.JPG 2009-11-21

Big Load Bike.JPG
Big Load Bike.JPG 2009-11-21

Bigger Loade Bike.JPG
Bigger Loade Bike.JPG 2009-11-21

Bike with recylcing.JPG
Bike with recylcing.JPG 2009-11-21

Ped-a-cab bikes.JPG
Ped-a-cab bikes.JPG 2009-11-22

MacDonalds delivery bike.JPG
MacDonalds delivery bike.JPG 2009-11-22

bike park lot.JPG
bike park lot.JPG 2009-11-05

dusty bikes.JPG
dusty bikes.JPG 2009-11-05

bike repairs.JPG
bike repairs.JPG 2009-11-06

Marine Ball-Kate, Isasc, Lauren.JPG
Marine Ball-Kate, Isasc, Lauren.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Kate, Isaac, Peg 2.JPG
Marine Ball-Kate, Isaac, Peg 2.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Color Guard.JPG
Marine Ball-Color Guard.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-ballroom.JPG
Marine Ball-ballroom.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Ambassador.JPG
Marine Ball-Ambassador.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Formal Guest photo.JPG
Marine Ball-Formal Guest photo.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Marines attending.JPG
Marine Ball-Marines attending.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Marines closeup.JPG
Marine Ball-Marines closeup.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Kate and Peg.JPG
Marine Ball-Kate and Peg.JPG 2009-11-21

Marine Ball-Kate and Regina (Air Force).JPG
Marine Ball-Kate and Regina (Air Force).JPG 2009-11-21

IMG_1033.JPG
IMG_1033.JPG 2009-11-21

798- man statue.JPG
798- man statue.JPG 2009-11-19

798 couple statue.JPG
798 couple statue.JPG 2009-11-19

798-metal collection.JPG
798-metal collection.JPG 2009-11-19

798-Wo-Man in cage.JPG
798-Wo-Man in cage.JPG 2009-11-19

798-Wo-Man closeup.JPG
798-Wo-Man closeup.JPG 2009-11-19

798-Angry Man in Cage.JPG
798-Angry Man in Cage.JPG 2009-11-19

798 -Seated Man.JPG
798 -Seated Man.JPG 2009-11-19

798- Guards at the door.JPG
798- Guards at the door.JPG 2009-11-19

798- Blue and White Baby.JPG
798- Blue and White Baby.JPG 2009-11-19

798-Buiding Profile-curves.JPG
798-Buiding Profile-curves.JPG 2009-11-19

798- Smiling faces.JPG
798- Smiling faces.JPG 2009-11-19

798-artist at work on mural.JPG
798-artist at work on mural.JPG 2009-11-19

798- artist's supplies.JPG
798- artist's supplies.JPG 2009-11-19

798- wall graffiti.JPG
798- wall graffiti.JPG 2009-11-19

Sex Museaum entry.JPG
Sex Museaum entry.JPG 2009-11-17

Sex-Hear No, See No, Speak No.JPG
Sex-Hear No, See No, Speak No.JPG 2009-11-17

Sex Museum.JPG
Sex Museum.JPG 2009-11-17

Sex-Turtle statue.JPG
Sex-Turtle statue.JPG 2009-11-17

Sex- Woman's Dependence statue.JPG
Sex- Woman's Dependence statue.JPG 2009-11-17

Suzhou Silk Museum loom.JPG
Suzhou Silk Museum loom.JPG 2009-11-16

Suzhou Silk Museum loom closeup.JPG
Suzhou Silk Museum loom closeup.JPG 2009-11-16

Tongli Village view.JPG
Tongli Village view.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli Village canal home.JPG
Tongli Village canal home.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli Village home on canal.JPG
Tongli Village home on canal.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Tuisi Garen.JPG
Tongli-Tuisi Garen.JPG 2009-11-17

Tuisi Garden doorway.JPG
Tuisi Garden doorway.JPG 2009-11-17

Tuisi Garden-doorway view.JPG
Tuisi Garden-doorway view.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Tuisi Garden 2.JPG
Tongli-Tuisi Garden 2.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Tuisi Garden 3.JPG
Tongli-Tuisi Garden 3.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-river boats at rest.JPG
Tongli-river boats at rest.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli- canal bridge.JPG
Tongli- canal bridge.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-fishing birds on boat.JPG
Tongli-fishing birds on boat.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-cana view.JPG
Tongli-cana view.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-rag mop.JPG
Tongli-rag mop.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-garden patches everywhere.JPG
Tongli-garden patches everywhere.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-red door banner.JPG
Tongli-red door banner.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Wooden Budhha.JPG
Tongli-Wooden Budhha.JPG 2009-11-17

Kate in Arch.JPG
Kate in Arch.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli Gengle Gardens 2.JPG
Tongli Gengle Gardens 2.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Gengle Gardens.JPG
Tongli-Gengle Gardens.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli Gengle Arches 2.JPG
Tongli Gengle Arches 2.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Gengle arches.JPG
Tongli-Gengle arches.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-cae fe teapot.JPG
Tongli-cae fe teapot.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-birds for fishing.JPG
Tongli-birds for fishing.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-canal cleanup.JPG
Tongli-canal cleanup.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli walkway.JPG
Tongli walkway.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-washing in river.JPG
Tongli-washing in river.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli-Old Town entrance.JPG
Tongli-Old Town entrance.JPG 2009-11-17

Tongli Worker.JPG
Tongli Worker.JPG 2009-11-17

Kitchen Crew PepTalk.JPG
Kitchen Crew PepTalk.JPG 2009-11-17

Tea Museaum statue.JPG
Tea Museaum statue.JPG 2009-11-14

Tea Museum Garden.JPG
Tea Museum Garden.JPG 2009-11-14

Garden Teapot.JPG
Garden Teapot.JPG 2009-11-14

Tea and Cabbage.JPG
Tea and Cabbage.JPG 2009-11-14

Tea plantation.JPG
Tea plantation.JPG 2009-11-14

Laundry inthe tea garden.JPG
Laundry inthe tea garden.JPG 2009-11-14

Tea Plantation Worker.JPG
Tea Plantation Worker.JPG 2009-11-14

Fisherman on pond.JPG
Fisherman on pond.JPG 2009-11-14

Hangzou Warrior.JPG
Hangzou Warrior.JPG 2009-11-15

Hangzou morning Tai chi.JPG
Hangzou morning Tai chi.JPG 2009-11-15

Golden Water Buffalo.JPG
Golden Water Buffalo.JPG 2009-11-15

Drum Dance-morning exercise.JPG
Drum Dance-morning exercise.JPG 2009-11-15

Lake pagoda.JPG
Lake pagoda.JPG 2009-11-15

Shanghai-recycling lot.JPG
Shanghai-recycling lot.JPG 2009-11-11

Shanghai-warren of apts by hotel.JPG
Shanghai-warren of apts by hotel.JPG 2009-11-11

Shanghai skyline.JPG
Shanghai skyline.JPG 2009-11-11

Shanghai-art museum.JPG
Shanghai-art museum.JPG 2009-11-11

Shanghai TV building.JPG
Shanghai TV building.JPG 2009-11-11

Shanghai sky-sun in the clouds.JPG
Shanghai sky-sun in the clouds.JPG 2009-11-11

Shanghai-Huanpu River Boats.JPG
Shanghai-Huanpu River Boats.JPG 2009-11-11

The Bund-night lights.JPG
The Bund-night lights.JPG 2009-11-11

EXPO garden.JPG
EXPO garden.JPG 2009-11-12

Bamboo scaffolding.JPG
Bamboo scaffolding.JPG 2009-11-12

Bamboo scffolding-French Concession.JPG
Bamboo scffolding-French Concession.JPG 2009-11-12

Into the French Concession.JPG
Into the French Concession.JPG 2009-11-12

French Concession.JPG
French Concession.JPG 2009-11-12

Bamboo pile for scaffolding.JPG
Bamboo pile for scaffolding.JPG 2009-11-12

Leisure Foot Massage Center.JPG
Leisure Foot Massage Center.JPG 2009-11-13

EXPO site-do not entr!.JPG
EXPO site-do not entr!.JPG 2009-11-13

The Bund-river view.JPG
The Bund-river view.JPG 2009-11-13

Huanpu River barge.JPG
Huanpu River barge.JPG 2009-11-13

Wu Gardens.JPG
Wu Gardens.JPG 2009-11-13

Wu Grdens 1.JPG
Wu Grdens 1.JPG 2009-11-13

Wu Gardens 2.JPG
Wu Gardens 2.JPG 2009-11-13

Summer Palace North Gate street.JPG
Summer Palace North Gate street.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace hilltop tower.JPG
Summer Palace hilltop tower.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace Roof detail.JPG
Summer Palace Roof detail.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace-view from the top to smog city.JPG
Summer Palace-view from the top to smog city.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer palace-ceramic buddha wall.JPG
Summer palace-ceramic buddha wall.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace Archway.JPG
Summer Palace Archway.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace-looking up to the hilltop palace.JPG
Summer Palace-looking up to the hilltop palace.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace-twig brooms.JPG
Summer Palace-twig brooms.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace Marble Boat.JPG
Summer Palace Marble Boat.JPG 2009-11-07

Summer Palace dragon boats.JPG
Summer Palace dragon boats.JPG 2009-11-07

Stone Bridge from the top.JPG
Stone Bridge from the top.JPG 2009-11-07

Stone Bridges over lake.JPG
Stone Bridges over lake.JPG 2009-11-07

Stone Breige over lake.JPG
Stone Breige over lake.JPG 2009-11-07

Twelve Arch Brige.JPG
Twelve Arch Brige.JPG 2009-11-07

Arch Bridge Lion.JPG
Arch Bridge Lion.JPG 2009-11-07

Stone Lion in profile.JPG
Stone Lion in profile.JPG 2009-11-07

Kate and 500 Lions.JPG
Kate and 500 Lions.JPG 2009-11-07

Sun through the smog-Beijing skyline.JPG
Sun through the smog-Beijing skyline.JPG 2009-11-07

T-Columns on Square.JPG
T-Columns on Square.JPG 2009-11-06

Monument to Peoples' Heroes.JPG
Monument to Peoples' Heroes.JPG 2009-11-06

T- Mao's Mausoleum.JPG
T- Mao's Mausoleum.JPG 2009-11-06

T-Tian'anmen Gate.JPG
T-Tian'anmen Gate.JPG 2009-11-06

t- column c=details.JPG
t- column c=details.JPG 2009-11-06

T-entrance to Zhongshan Park.JPG
T-entrance to Zhongshan Park.JPG 2009-11-06

T-Zhongshan Park-willow pool.JPG
T-Zhongshan Park-willow pool.JPG 2009-11-06

T-building Zhongshan park.JPG
T-building Zhongshan park.JPG 2009-11-06

FC-Lion Dragon.JPG
FC-Lion Dragon.JPG 2009-11-06

FC-outer court 2nd temple.JPG
FC-outer court 2nd temple.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- across balconies outer court.JPG
FC- across balconies outer court.JPG 2009-11-06

FC-bronze lion dragon.JPG
FC-bronze lion dragon.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- Imperial Garden man-made mountain.JPG
FC- Imperial Garden man-made mountain.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- Girl with headdress.JPG
FC- Girl with headdress.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- side gate around inner courtyard.JPG
FC- side gate around inner courtyard.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- yet another temple.JPG
FC- yet another temple.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- Chinese gargoyles.JPG
FC- Chinese gargoyles.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- corner of courtyard looking up.JPG
FC- corner of courtyard looking up.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- through the doorway-no people!.JPG
FC- through the doorway-no people!.JPG 2009-11-06

FC- through the smog.JPG
FC- through the smog.JPG 2009-11-06

FC-split pants baby.JPG
FC-split pants baby.JPG 2009-11-06

lama temple.JPG
lama temple.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple map.JPG
lama temple map.JPG 2009-11-05

do not throw coins.JPG
do not throw coins.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple 1.JPG
lama temple 1.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple 2.JPG
lama temple 2.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple 3.JPG
lama temple 3.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple 4.JPG
lama temple 4.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple 5.JPG
lama temple 5.JPG 2009-11-05

Con School text.JPG
Con School text.JPG 2009-11-05

Kate and Confuscius.JPG
Kate and Confuscius.JPG 2009-11-05

Con- old tree.JPG
Con- old tree.JPG 2009-11-05

con-old tree closeup.JPG
con-old tree closeup.JPG 2009-11-05

Con school 1.JPG
Con school 1.JPG 2009-11-05

con school 2.JPG
con school 2.JPG 2009-11-05

con-roof detail.JPG
con-roof detail.JPG 2009-11-05

Con-roof detail 2.JPG
Con-roof detail 2.JPG 2009-11-05

con-building top.JPG
con-building top.JPG 2009-11-05

con school entrance.JPG
con school entrance.JPG 2009-11-05

con-arch.JPG
con-arch.JPG 2009-11-05

con-central bldg.JPG
con-central bldg.JPG 2009-11-05

con school sign.JPG
con school sign.JPG 2009-11-05

con-school room.JPG
con-school room.JPG 2009-11-05

con-offerings.JPG
con-offerings.JPG 2009-11-05

con-offerings detail.JPG
con-offerings detail.JPG 2009-11-05

con-offerings 2.JPG
con-offerings 2.JPG 2009-11-05

con-offerings 3.JPG
con-offerings 3.JPG 2009-11-05

lama temple.JPG
lama temple.JPG 2009-11-05

One Small Stack of Brocade.JPG
One Small Stack of Brocade.JPG 2009-11-04

Bolts and Bolts.JPG
Bolts and Bolts.JPG 2009-11-04

Just a short view.JPG
Just a short view.JPG 2009-11-04

Fabric Truck.JPG
Fabric Truck.JPG 2009-11-04

Buttons & Zippers.JPG
Buttons & Zippers.JPG 2009-11-04

Kate & Beth in Fabric Alley.JPG
Kate & Beth in Fabric Alley.JPG 2009-11-04

Fabric District road.JPG
Fabric District road.JPG 2009-11-04

Silk shop.JPG
Silk shop.JPG 2009-11-04

bikes in snow.JPG
bikes in snow.JPG 2009-11-01

busy bikes.JPG
busy bikes.JPG 2009-11-02

bike safety.JPG
bike safety.JPG 2009-11-02

working bike.JPG
working bike.JPG 2009-11-02

beware-wide turns.JPG
beware-wide turns.JPG 2009-11-02

leeks on board.JPG
leeks on board.JPG 2009-11-02

Hitch a ride.JPG
Hitch a ride.JPG 2009-11-02

garden bike.JPG
garden bike.JPG 2009-11-02

Bike Candy.JPG
Bike Candy.JPG 2009-11-03

PedaCab.JPG
PedaCab.JPG 2009-11-04

Bikes for All.JPG
Bikes for All.JPG 2009-11-04

mts west of beijing.JPG
mts west of beijing.JPG 2009-10-30

dinner oct31.JPG
dinner oct31.JPG 2009-10-31

condiments.JPG
condiments.JPG 2009-10-31

Phil w parents.JPG
Phil w parents.JPG 2009-10-31

view from my window.JPG
view from my window.JPG 2009-10-31

kate in the snow.JPG
kate in the snow.JPG 2009-10-31

kate & Peg snow.JPG
kate & Peg snow.JPG 2009-10-31

snowy impatiens.JPG
snowy impatiens.JPG 2009-10-31

bikes in snow.JPG
bikes in snow.JPG 2009-11-01

phil & helen school fair.JPG
phil & helen school fair.JPG 2009-11-01

tyler at school fair.JPG
tyler at school fair.JPG 2009-11-01

crowd at school fair.JPG
crowd at school fair.JPG 2009-11-01

crowd at school fair 2.JPG
crowd at school fair 2.JPG 2009-11-01

Galata Square restaurants.jpg
Galata Square restaurants.jpg 2009-10-29

Galata Tower-again.jpg
Galata Tower-again.jpg 2009-10-29

sitting in Galata Sq.jpg
sitting in Galata Sq.jpg 2009-10-29

Galata Sq around.jpg
Galata Sq around.jpg 2009-10-29

Taksim Sq- bnners for Rep Day.jpg
Taksim Sq- bnners for Rep Day.jpg 2009-10-29

Monument for ARepublic.jpg
Monument for ARepublic.jpg 2009-10-29

Taksim Sq banners.jpg
Taksim Sq banners.jpg 2009-10-29

Republic monument.jpg
Republic monument.jpg 2009-10-29

Republic Monument 2.jpg
Republic Monument 2.jpg 2009-10-29

view down Iskitlal from Taksim.jpg
view down Iskitlal from Taksim.jpg 2009-10-29

Walk up Istiklal Caddesi 011.jpg
Walk up Istiklal Caddesi 011.jpg 2009-10-29

March on Republic Day-Istiklal Caddesi 012.jpg
March on Republic Day-Istiklal Caddesi 012.jpg 2009-10-29

March on Istiklal.jpg
March on Istiklal.jpg 2009-10-29

Mini stand for doner-shaved meat.jpg
Mini stand for doner-shaved meat.jpg 2009-10-29

fruit juice stand.jpg
fruit juice stand.jpg 2009-10-29

cross roads on Istiklal st.jpg
cross roads on Istiklal st.jpg 2009-10-29

pressing pomegrante juice.jpg
pressing pomegrante juice.jpg 2009-10-29

Galata Tower-again.jpg
Galata Tower-again.jpg 2009-10-29

sitting in Galata Sq.jpg
sitting in Galata Sq.jpg 2009-10-29

Galata Sq around.jpg
Galata Sq around.jpg 2009-10-29

Taksim Sq- bnners for Rep Day.jpg
Taksim Sq- bnners for Rep Day.jpg 2009-10-29

Monument for ARepublic.jpg
Monument for ARepublic.jpg 2009-10-29

Taksim Sq banners.jpg
Taksim Sq banners.jpg 2009-10-29

Republic monument.jpg
Republic monument.jpg 2009-10-29

Republic Monument 2.jpg
Republic Monument 2.jpg 2009-10-29

view down Iskitlal from Taksim.jpg
view down Iskitlal from Taksim.jpg 2009-10-29

Walk up Istiklal Caddesi 011.jpg
Walk up Istiklal Caddesi 011.jpg 2009-10-29

March on Republic Day-Istiklal Caddesi 012.jpg
March on Republic Day-Istiklal Caddesi 012.jpg 2009-10-29

March on Istiklal.jpg
March on Istiklal.jpg 2009-10-29

Mini stand for doner-shaved meat.jpg
Mini stand for doner-shaved meat.jpg 2009-10-29

fruit juice stand.jpg
fruit juice stand.jpg 2009-10-29

cross roads on Istiklal st.jpg
cross roads on Istiklal st.jpg 2009-10-29

pressing pomegrante juice.jpg
pressing pomegrante juice.jpg 2009-10-29

Tpkaki Palace -view to asia 001.jpg
Tpkaki Palace -view to asia 001.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace view 002.jpg
Tpkaki Palace view 002.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace 003.jpg
Tpkaki Palace 003.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace 004.jpg
Tpkaki Palace 004.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace pool in garden.jpg
Tpkaki Palace pool in garden.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace view from garden006.jpg
Tpkaki Palace view from garden006.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace view fro garden 007.jpg
Tpkaki Palace view fro garden 007.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace library pavillon 009.jpg
Tpkaki Palace library pavillon 009.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace walkway decor.jpg
Tpkaki Palace walkway decor.jpg 2009-10-28

Tpkaki Palace detail under roof of Haren 011.jpg
Tpkaki Palace detail under roof of Haren 011.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque Courtyard.jpg
Blue Mosque Courtyard.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque outer courtyard.jpg
Blue Mosque outer courtyard.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque giant chandelier 014.jpg
Blue Mosque giant chandelier 014.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque side domes.jpg
Blue Mosque side domes.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque Main dome.jpg
Blue Mosque Main dome.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque side dome and arches.jpg
Blue Mosque side dome and arches.jpg 2009-10-28

Blue Mosque stainglass windows.jpg
Blue Mosque stainglass windows.jpg 2009-10-28

Bosphorus cruise 002.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 002.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 004.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 004.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 007.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 007.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 011.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 011.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 013.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 013.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 014.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 014.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 015.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 015.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 016.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 016.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 017.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 017.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 020.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 020.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 023.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 023.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 025.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 025.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus cruise 027.jpg
Bosphorus cruise 027.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 028.jpg 2009-10-27

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bridge 1.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 030.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 033.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 035.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 036.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 037.jpg 2009-10-27

Bosphorus Cruise 038 Military college.jpg
Bosphorus Cruise 038 Military college.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 040.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 041.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 042.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 045.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 046.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 048.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 049 bridge 2.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 050.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 051.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 053.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 062.jpg 2009-10-27

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Cats in the cemetary.jpg 2009-10-27

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metro tunnel b y mosque.jpg 2009-10-27

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Bosphorus cruise 063.jpg 2009-10-27

view from our balcony.jpg
view from our balcony.jpg 2009-10-23

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Galata Bridge to Old Town.jpg 2009-10-23

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Gakata Tower day.jpg 2009-10-23

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Galata Square.jpg 2009-10-23

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Turkish Pancake Maker.jpg 2009-10-24

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Hagia Sophia dome.jpg 2009-10-25

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Hagia Sophia mosaic.jpg 2009-10-25

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Hagia Sophia from gallery.jpg 2009-10-25

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Blue Mosque.jpg 2009-10-25

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Hagia Sophia-outside.jpg 2009-10-25

Galata Tower night.jpg
Galata Tower night.jpg 2009-10-25

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dinner with T-stan family.jpg 2009-10-25

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dinner with T-stan family.jpg 2009-10-25

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Peg and Towshun.jpg 2009-10-25

the families together.jpg
the families together.jpg 2009-10-25

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Universtiy of Ist gae.jpg 2009-10-26

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near Grand Bazaar.jpg 2009-10-26

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Picture 047.jpg 2009-10-26

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in the Grand Bazaar.jpg 2009-10-26

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Picture 049.jpg 2009-10-26

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shopping street.jpg 2009-10-26

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Spice market stall.jpg 2009-10-26

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Turkish Delights-Spice market.jpg 2009-10-26

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Spice Market-2.jpg 2009-10-26

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columns of candied nuts.jpg 2009-10-26

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died fruit.jpg 2009-10-26

Galata Bridge view to Tower.jpg
Galata Bridge view to Tower.jpg 2009-10-26

Great Mosque.jpg
Great Mosque.jpg 2009-10-26

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Fish Sandwich boat.jpg 2009-10-26

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Tour boat and fisherman.jpg 2009-10-26

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view from bridge to north.jpg 2009-10-26

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5 boats in and out!.jpg 2009-10-26

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basketball cabbage!.jpg 2009-10-26

Getting around Beijing has been much easier than I expected as the street signs are in English and Chinese with NSEW noted on most to orient you. This may be in part due to the Olympics, but same is also true in Shanghai. The subway is very logical and there are audio messages in the stations and onboard in both languages alerting to the upcoming stops, and the maps are very readable. Using a prepaid metro card is similar to NYC  (actually easier as you enter and exit into the station and can then decide (or re-correct) which direction you are heading). Major roads in Beijing are laid out in rings starting around the Forbidden City with Second Ring Road and moving outward. Subways mimic this with additional crosstown and north-south spurs. People talk about where they live or are going by referring to the 2nd, 3rd to 5th Ring Road.

The Chinese love their uniforms! Parking attendants, doormen, shopping security guards all have ones with braids, hats, even medals. There is a lot of saluting. Most are very young men in oversized coats pleated and belted to fit them.

I've seen very few birds, and no squirrels. There are quite a few small dogs in Beijing and I read an article that stated that small dogs are allowed for a small yearly fee, but there are fines for larger dogs within the inner ring roads. I've only seen a few stray cats about.

Smog in Beijing has been so bad on some days that my eyes watered and I could not see the tops of the tall buildings. There seems to be a constant haze, often sinking to near ground level. After a rain or snow storm it seems to clear a bit, so I welcome "bad" weather.

As far as fashion, it is all over the place, from jeans and western style clothes, to traditional jackets, to hip and funky. I'm seeing a lot of young girls wearing shorts over tights with high heeled boots. 

Who are the tourists? The Chinese, not westerners. Many travel in large tour groups or with a lot of family members. It seems that large parks and sites like  the Summer Palace are family favorites.  Many came with picnics and settled in for the day. 

Traffic- lots of it, but moving at a reasonable speed and not too frantic. There is a lot of lane changing and horn honking ("I'm here, don't cut me off"), but generally polite behavior. I'm seeing a lot nice looking cars including BMWs, (all the cabs are late model Jetta's), Landrovers and other SUVs. Most are in good condition so fenderbenders don't seem to be overly common. I'm not seeing low-end/budget type cars, and no junkers.

Pedestrian Safety- you definitely have to look both ways crossing any street (even sidewalks!) as bikes and motorscooters don't heed one-way designations and a cab could come in at any angle. Busses stop for no man. There are traffic lights, but again, these seem to be for suggested behavior, no guarantee of safe crossings. When crossing a street I put myself in the middle of a group of Chinese and go with the flow! Fortunately many main roads have underpasses to get you to the other side. 

I arrived in Beijing Saturday afternoon after a long but uneventful flight from Paris. Two hours west of Beijing our plane passed over a huge area of mountains-as far as the eye could see just desolate snowy mountains. Kate met me at the airport and delivered me to her apartment for a rest before we headed out again for dinner with Holderness School headmaster (Phil) and director of admissions (Tyler) (in town for a school fair-more later) and several parents of Holderness Chinese students. A wide variety of delicious dishes were placed on a large lazy susan in the middle of our table. We ate eggplant, bean curd squares, shredded radishes with wasabi, broth and veggie soup, then delicious roast duck, a house specialty, in crepe-like holders or sesame biscuits seasoned with a selection of condiments. Tea flowed, and there was a brothy soup made with the duck parts. Phil tried the delicacy- duck brain. I passed.

Our last day, and a national holiday (Republic Day like our Independence Day) was a leisurely one. Main goal was to find a pizza place for Sarah! We headed up Istiklal street, the main shopping area of the New District near us. This is a pedestrian-only street lined with all sorts of shops, cafes, and vendors of every sort. At the north end is Taksim Square, a main hub for transportation connectios. Here is the famous statue in honor of Ataturk, father of the republic. Huge Turkish flags adorned buildings up and down the street. We found a Pizza Hut for lunch and the pizza met Sarah's approval. As we ate in second floor a march or protest went by, tho we were not sure what it was all about. I tried to catch up on some local color in photos- shaved meat stand (smelled delish even to this vegan!) serving a Turkish favorite, fruit vendors who make fresh squeezed juice drinks as you wait. We ended our walk back at Galata Tower square near home. Time to pack and head off to the next adventure. Photos don't do justice to the sensory impact of Istanbul- sound of calls to prayer across the whole city, Turkish music, calls of street vendors, chattering children, smells of roasting pistchios and chestnuts, the aroma of barbecued meat, colorful wares on display and rows of fresh fruits and vegetables, wild cats all over the place which everyone seems to take care of so they are very friendly, and lovely welcoming Turks. Do come to visit.

Our first day of rain, tho not enough to keep us inside. We headed to the east tip of Old Town to the Topkaki Palace complex (huge) built in the 1470's and used for over 400 years for living and administrative activities. The styles of architecture changed over the years ending with a strong European influence. We appreciated the clever drainage solutions on the walkways and large terraces-like irrigation troughs on the edges. We saw very sacred religious relics brought fro Mecca during WWI, jeweled swords, thrones, pendants (diamond as big as an egg, emeralds like a fist) and exquisite tile work. Sarah and I paid extra to enter the harem area filled with living quarters, baths, courtyards and sitting rooms.

After a nice, warm lunch we headed to the Blue Mosque. We arrived during aftrnoon prayer so walked around outside enjoying the open courtyards and exterior views. Inside it was open, amazingly light in feel due to thousands of chandelier lights and the walls opened by stainglass windows. Built in 1609 it only took 7 years to complete. The large central dome is 141 feet high, 110 feet in diameter and supported by 4 "elephant foot" piers and cascading domes modeled after Hagia Sophia.

Today we had a leisurely start and took the noon boat up the Bosphorus for a 1.5 hr trip. We followed the European, then Asian side to the second bridge, then back again. Some of the homes on the Asian side were amazing! huge, beautiful gardens, and ones built high on the hills even had their own little tram tracks for elevator cars for going up and down. Then we hiked up one of Istanbul's 7 hills to the Mosque of Sulymen the Magnificent which unfortunately is under renovation so not much to see. A nice cup of tea for me, Turkish coffee for Peter and Hot cocoa for Sarah revived us for the trek back downhill through a very local maze of commercial streets. Weather is cool and overcast, may rain tomorrow. Even without visiting main sites it is a pleasure to just walk about and absorb Istanbul life.

our apt is next to a mosque. every morning at 6am we awake to call to prayer. this is done 5x a day. a caller sings out from the minaret (tower). we can hear the calls coming from mosques all over the city, making it sound like low cheers coming from a sports stadium. beautiful to hear. at noon there is another call which is one I photo'd from balcony off our bedroom. large rugs were handed out a window of a shop, cars were quickly moved out of parking area to make room for the rugs and men to pray. Many came out of hospital next door (lab coats and all) to particpate. took about 40 mins. this seems to be the main time to do this amount of praying.
Other photo is from Galata Bridge, a short walk downhill for us which leads across the Golden Horn (inlet of water) fro north side to the sourthern part of Istanbul where there is the Hagia Sophia church (you can see in photo) Blue Mosque and other famous old sites.
It is very exotic here, lots of color, music, food. Our apt is on a narrow cobblestone alleyway with shops tucked in here and there. Every day a man comes by with large cart and calls out- not sure what he is selling or offering to do (sharpen knives??).
Saturday oct 24
For lunch today we went to local restaurant where woman in window was making Turkish pancakes-delish. they are stuffed with cheese (Peter) spinach (Peg) or meat (Sarah) and folded over. very thin like  crepe and about 15" diameter. for dessert we bought a simit- something like a pretzel-dough dipped in grape molasses and rolled in sesame seeds. not sweet, but very good.
Coffee is way too strong for me so I'm enjoying a lot of tea.
as we have a kitchen we are buying some food in a local grocery store. hard to figure out what some things are, like butter- had to hope I was buying that and not cheese! A lot os similar products, like special K cereal, tho this came in a cellophane pouch not a box.
Sunday- visited Hagia Sophia-oh my! statue of liberty would fit under the dome, Nortre Dame in Paris would fit in the nave! beautiful mosaics! in evening we met up with Sarah's host family (mom, dad, brother). wonderful evening. fortunately a young firend of theirs came along so Sarah didn't have to translate everything. Lovely family who clearly cherish her-call her their older daughter and mean it.
Monday-we met up with family again for brief visit by Grand Bazaar. Fun to tag along with "local" and watch the bargaining. We just looked here and at spice market, taking it all in. maybe we'll try our hand at bargaining another day.

 

 

 

 

10/27/2009 11:32:32 PM - 002095465964
Peg and Pete,
It doesn't look like Istanbul has changed all that much in the many years since I have been there...we will enjoy following your trip have fun!!
Dave and MJ