Point Hotel Barbaros Istanbul

... br>fans. I got to tell them what Dizzy Gillespie said when we were at the Kennedy
Center for his award (thanks to you know who you are). Dizzy said: We know
each other when we see each other. A jazz fan anywhere in the world has
so much in common with another one. Oh yeah, Sonny Clark. Oh, how about
that Paul Chambers solo. Oh, Elvin. How do you feel about Cecil Taylor?
We can talk and we talked and talked. Who is after Woody Shaw? No one
we all ...

... added by the ottomans.

We were all craving a burger, and seeing that it was the fourth of july we thought it was only fitting that we go celebrate with a meal at Mcdonalds. Some of us, Brittany and Sarah, decided to go for the full American experience and "superboyed" their meals. This was the best decision ever, even though they didn't mean to get meals that were quite as large as they ended up being. Lindsey and Deanna went with the "historical fish sandwich ...

... Spice Bazaar and in front of the Galata Bridge. This mosque was again fabulous, decorated with blue and red shards of colour in its airy domes. Both Ed and I later commented that mosques are far more colourful than the sombre grey colour and atmosphere that predominate the majority of churches I have visited (many). And unlike churches, I exited mosques feeling enriched and lighter, as well as honoured to be granted such proximity to the religion's customs and architecture.

... here we were invited to sit down and breakfast with hotel employees, shop workers, and whoever we happened to be talking with at the same time. The invitations were a result of the tradition of inviting the needy to share food and sustenance with you doing this month and this ritual enforces the communal nature of Islam which is one of the goals of Ramadan. We felt very lucky to be included as we were hardly needy, but who can resist a meal in the company ...

I am done, done, DONE! Yesterday, we got back to Istanbul at 7am via overnight bus from Kapadokya. We had landed on yet another bootlagged van, but this time the crazy driver drove back to Istanbul at a record speed. I had an hour so to nap before going to class like the trooper that I am. After class, I made sure to lock myself up in the room to finish my religion final paper! It is titled "Language, Religion, and National Identity", and I ...

... next door, no problem. Gotta love Turkey. We had a great meal and boldly utilized public transportation to get back to the hotel. Seriously, Boston could learn a thing or two from Istanbul's public transportation system - a seamless experience. Oh, but first we stopped at another restaurant to use the bathroom and when I came out, Andy had ordered a glass of Raki (a traditional Turkish liqueur) and was seated at a table, chatting it up with some Germans.

... nurse asked me to come with her so that she could give me an injection. I was suddenly alarmed. "An injection? For what?" I began picturing a horror movie where a lonely foreigner wanders into a national health clinic for some help. The doctors and nurses, laughing maniacally and groping for a foreign credit card with a high limit, drag him off into the back room and put him through all sorts of unecessary tests and administer strange, unwanted ...

... world as Constantinople. The Byzantıum Chrıstian ınfluence ıs relevant in the architecture of the mosques. AFter all, the older Mosques used to in fact be churches. This city is absolutely massive. HAlf of it is in Asia dn the other half Europe. I have been fortunate enought to stay on both sıdes. It takes me atleast 40 minutes to get to the center of the old town from where I am staying. My transportation ıncludes a minibus ( lıterally a ...

... five times a day. First one in the very early in morning, second at noon, third in the afternoon, fourth in evening and last fifth before going to bed. The mosque is closed at prayer times for 1-1.5 hours. Visit the mosque in the morning or before 3-4 o'clock in the afternoon because the prayer times rotate according to the sun's positions. Outside the entrance, in a courtyard is a small marble alter. Mufasta says this is used for funerals. The body is washed, wrapped and put ...

... place looked right over the harbour and we were lucky enough to spot a couple of dolphins swimming by one morning. We had a few days in the City so decided to check out some of Istanbul's main attractions. First stop was the Grand Bazar which would have been a lot more 'Grand' if we had a bit more dosh... Oh the handbags.....I was in heaven!!! (SO going back there with ...