Tuesday, November 22, 2011

"T" Day November 24, 2011 - Living The Dream - Giving Thanks :-)

Jour de l'Action de grâce - as the French Canadians say. For the English speaking it is - Day of Thanksgiving. Which by the way is celebrated the 2nd Tuesday of October - coinciding with USA Columbus or Discoverers Day.

I/we would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all of you - just how many get this note you ask? About 250 addressees from around the world.  I feel both like I am living the dream, or better yet, living in the dream.  For me, I say thanks everyday for a chance to live my dreams.

Many thanks to my traveling comrades for both the Italy and Istanbul trip. Without your pleasant company and conversation it would have just been a "nice bus ride" though some wonderful places.

Thanks to our key guides.  Claudio Mollo in Italy.  Your colorful descriptions of both Roman and Greek history have prompted me to learn more about the places and people that shared such a rich history.

To help me gain more insight, found two books that get me on my start for more adventures through learning.

Pompeii: A Guide to the Ancient City - Salvatoro Nappo (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Pompeii-Guide-Ancient-Salvatoro-Nappo/dp/0760756201/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321996425&sr=1-2

Herculaneum: Italy's Buried Treasure - Joseph Deiss (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Herculaneum-Italys-Treasure-Joseph-Deiss/dp/0892361646/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Our informative and inspirational guide in Istanbul, Reyan Tuvi, also prompted me to learn more.  Was fortunate enough to receive a televised broadcast of a Canadian TV program regarding an archeological excavation under the Bosphorus Straits.

The Nature of Things – The Emperors Lost Harbour

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episode/emperors-lost-harbour.html

The program covers the building of an underwater railway tube – almost 100 feet under the waters surface.  Sort of like the one between the UK and France.  While excavating near shore, there were found artifacts dating back to before the 7th century AD.  As with the things I learned about the artifacts of Pompeii and Herculaneum, this shows how interconnected the world has been for many centuries.

So whether we think of ourselves as; family, tribes, clans, whatever, we are all part of this big blue globe.

If anyone else has an online photo album of either tour and would like to share, let me know and I will add to this page.

Be well, may we meet again;

- Marion & Carol
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

P3 Day 26 of 25 - Friday, October 14, 2011 – Dearborn, MI

Day 26: Home Sweet Home

Did we miss it?  Yes, but... still miss the opportunity for adventure.  As the Road Scholars slogan reads - Learning Through Adventure.  Each time I visit a new location, I have a new appreciation as to the uniqueness of what I am going to experience.  Yes, I learned.

Now, when seeing a news program, I know much better who lives there.  What they eat and work at. They - whoever they are - are just like me.

Now back to a simple meal routine - oatmeal, juice and fruit.  Although many of us thought we were "over-served," we had the ability not to eat it all that was served.  It was a grand to have an opportunity to eat much of what that locale had to offer.

Happy travels to all  (-:

   
Days 22 to 25+ @  https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/P32011ItalyIstanbulDays22To25

Enjoy each day is it were... the best! Marion & Carol
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Location: 1498 S Telegraph Rd, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA

P3 Day 25 of 25 - Thursday, October 13, 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey - Dearborn, MI

Day 25: Departures. Awake 3 a.m.

Breakfast: Room service in the hotel.




  

Wow, 3 a.m.   Seems jsut like a few hours before we were having dinner.  I beleive - eat when it is availalbe - don't know if/when what might be ready.  Yeah, I know, like maybe I could miss a few meals.


What was provided was very good; cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, lunchmeat, bread and some tasty olives.  All washed down with orange juice and coffee.  I opened the window and looked down to the street.  Still see people walking around.  Music being played at possibly some all-night club.  Like any large city - it never completely goes to sleep.

The ride to airport was eerie.  The only vehicles on the road were taxis and police vehicles.  As we crossed the Galata bridge across the Bosphorus Strait, could see many landmarks lit up. Almost like we were getting ready for a holiday.

First stop from Istanbul is Frankfurt Germany.  A 5 hour wait for departure, but was lucky to notice a rack of many international newspapers at no charge.

When we dropped in to Detroit airport, our son was able to gather us up in short order.  First stop after????  What else - pizza!  Went to our favorite - Antonio's restaurant.  We also had a favorite in Naples - also Antonio's.  No pizza though - pasta was fantastic.  The owner - Antonio was always helpful, so we made that a regular stop for the 3 nights we were there.

Ah, tonight - a good nights sleep awaits  (-:


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Location: Evliya Çelebi Mh., Meşrutiyet Cd 62, 34440 Istanbul Province/Istanbul, Turkey

P3 Day 24 of 25 - Wednesday, October 12, 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey

Day 24: Free Time - What did we Miss? 






Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Free Time - We go back to Galata Tower and Spice Market

Lunch: Our choice to explore local fare.  We try the Bambi Café.  Sure hope we weren’t eating...?

Afternoon: Free Time.  We walk back across the Galata Bridge.  Have a chance to walk on the steps made famous through photo of Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1956.  Come back in time to meet with Reyan who had earings and necklace made for Carol by an artist friend.

Dinner: Your choice to explore local fare.  Carol is wanting a “cheez-burger in paradise”  Burger King anyone?

Evening: We do our final night walk along Iskitlal soaking in the sights (thousands of people walking and talking), sounds (street musicians), and smells (food cooking on a grille - corn on the cob and chestnuts)  - yummy.

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Location: Evliya Çelebi Mh., Meşrutiyet Cd 62, 34440 Istanbul Province/Istanbul, Turkey

P3 Day 23 of 25 - Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey

Day 23: The Modern Face of Istanbul 





Breakfast: In the hotel.


Morning: Depart to the Modern Art Museum for a discussion on Modern Turkey and its quest to become a member of the European Union. A guided visit of the museum follows. Then, board the local passenger ferry and cross to the Asian side of Istanbul.

Lunch: In the open kitchen of renowned Ciya restaurant, learn about Turkish regional cuisine then sample of variety of dishes.

Afternoon: Cross the Bosphorus Bridge from Asian side back to the European side. Visit the modern, newly developed areas of Istanbul; Nisantasi and Etiler. Ascend the medieval Galata Tower, built in 1348, to take in the panoramic sunset views of the old city.

Dinner: Your choice to explore local fare.

Evening: At leisure.

Google search: Istanbul Modern Art Museum

Ciya restaurant  

Google search: Galata Tower

Google search: turkish coffee fortune telling

Google search: Bosphorus Bridge

Today's photos  https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/P3Day23Of25
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Location: Evliya Çelebi Mh., Meşrutiyet Cd 62, 34440 Istanbul Province/Istanbul, Turkey

P3 Day 22 of 25 - Monday, October 10, 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey

Day 22: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Church of St. George, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Carpet/Kilim Shop, and the Crafts and Bazaars of Istanbul 
 






Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Visit Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Church of St. George. A guided visit explores a hidden gem - the Rustem Pasha Mosque, famous for its colorful 16th-century Iznik tiles, then move through the Spice Bazaar, and on to the Grand Bazaar, where artisans sell their handcrafts, silver and jewelry.

Lunch: In a restaurant at the Bazaar.

Afternoon: Free Time

Dinner: In a local restaurant.

Google search: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate istanbul  

Google search: Rustem Pasha Mosque

Google search: spice bazaar istanbul

Google search: grand bazaar istanbul
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Location: Evliya Çelebi Mh., Meşrutiyet Cd 62, 34440 Istanbul Province/Istanbul, Turkey

P3 Day 21 of 25 - Sunday, October 9, 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey

Day 21: Ancient Walls, Dolmabahce Palace and the Golden Horn 
 




Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a unique opportunity to walk along the ancient walls of Istanbul, including the Yedikule Fortress and Dungeons. : Discover Dolmabahce Palace, the second palace of the Ottoman Sultans, situated on the Bosphorus. 
See the Church of Chora, situated along the walls.

Lunch: In a Asitane restaurant in the old city, by the ancient city walls.

Asitane restaurant

Afternoon: Visit Eyup Mosque, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the iron Bulgarian Church.

Dinner: Your choice to explore local fare.

Evening: At leisure.

Google search: Yedikule Fortress and Dungeons 


Google search: Dolmabahce Palace

Google search: Church of Chora  

Today's photos  https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/P3Day21Of25

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Location: Evliya Çelebi Mh., Meşrutiyet Cd 62, 34440 Istanbul Province/Istanbul, Turkey
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