More Istanbul

Settling back into my native country takes time.  I have visited two daughters at two universities, (one of which was in another state), re-stocked my pantry, upgraded my kitchen (fancy new blender and a new mixer- woot!), bought and read two new cookbooks, resumed my gym regimen, and have managed to squeeze in a little time with family and friends.  It’s exciting to be home for fall, having missed two years of pumpkin mania and college football.  And Halloween! Yeah, it’s good to be home.

But wait, there are MORE pictures of Istanbul for your viewing pleasure!  It has taken me awhile to download them, in part because many were sitting in my French iPhone, which I managed to leave in a store on my last day in Istanbul and  didn’t get back until last night.   (And if you were one of the masses of unluckies who were contacted by the thoughtful Turkish shop owner or the frantic husband concerning my whereabouts in that city, I am just so, so sorry).  But that’s another story for another time.  Lets look at pictures!

If you saw the new Dan Brown movie, Inferno, you will recognize this beautiful Roman cistern, built in the 6th century to provide water to the Grand Palace of Constantinople.  It holds 80,000 cubic meters of water and is supported by 336 marble columns.  It was eerie and wonderful.

I was, of course, interested in the food and drink for sale on the street and in the little shops.

look at these gorgeous teas

peppercorns

and yes, Narnia lovers, Turkish Delight

pomegranate juice!

gotta love a city where the nuts on the street are edible

entrance to the Grand Bazaar, which was labyrinthine and amazing and full of good stuff

restaurant

entrance to a mosque

prayer rugs?

Happy Halloween, my pretties!