Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Turkish bath experience, admittedly, might not be for everyone


Istanbul, Turkey

I saw it - hundreds of years old - and of course I wanted to do it. And I did it without thinking. Once inside, I have to say, was just about the most nude experience I have ever had. All the woman – clients, and the staff – were, um, dressed down as it were.

All the woman were instructed to lay on a round marble slab in the middle of the room, and called over when the turkish bath ladies were ready for them.

As I lay there, fretting quietly, three funny British women, also new to the experience, did the same thing out loud. What is going on? said one of them, giggling.

Finally a woman called me over and began sloughing me with a loofah-like object as I lay on a towel. Then buckets of warm water and a soap down, before she washed my hair, and I left, dazed and confused, not sure what I thought. When I look back on it, it seems pleasant enough. I just can't imagine sitting in my apartment though, looking at my diary, wondering when I might be able to fit in another one.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Yep, it's as awesome in person as it looks in this picture


Basicila Cistern, Istanbul

Turkish delight


...it sure looks gorgeous but fortunately, most of the sweets outside the West cannot tempt me.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The language of love

Presented without comment


Beyoğlu, Instabul

Istanbul is one great city




I encourage you to visit if you haven't already... I think it might be one of my favourites so far. This picture is from a restaurant that we went to that we didn't quite understand. It was very tiny, and there was no kitchen, bar to speak of, or toilets. The waiter went next door to get our drinks and he went next door to fetch our food.

We loved the funky decor though.

How to be a happy expat

Because a cloud wall makes you want to take a selfie.  After 10 years living in the UAE, some of that time happy, some miserable and ...