CrossRoads

MERHABA 2 0 1 1

2010-12-30T18:01:00.006+02:00

Athena from the 2011 Pirelli Calendar,
created by Karl Lagerfeld,
Greco-Roman theme 'Mythology'

What makes it gorgeous is not only what I filled in by my own experience and packed into this year 2010, but what I could not. I think there is no any better expression in any language than merhaba. Merhaba is a reason that I have a lot to look forward TO. Merhaba is a reason to BE. Merhaba is hello. Happy New Year 2 0 1 1.

They Call Me Caterina...

2010-12-29T19:05:00.017+02:00

... this is my story.

In Italy, it was the common name given to the slaves from the Constantinople, today's Istanbul, Caterina.

Her son traveled to Turkey and Azerbaijan to discover his Caucasian roots. His findings as well as researches say his mother was hailed from... Azerbaijan and a Muslim. This very well-researched novel about the mother of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), slave mother Caterina da Vinci, is the best work I have ever read in a long time!

A very colorful story of her relationship with her son who was destined to change the world forever; from his growth, his creative and inventive side to how daring is why his mother felt she had to protect him so long.

Warning: Anyone not interested in historical romance, Turkey and Renaissance Florence will not enjoy this truly captivating book.

"All other cities are doomed, but I imagine that as long as people exist, Constantinople will exist."
~Petrus Gyllius
French scientist,
(Albi, 1490 - Rome, 1555)

Lady Kokkino

2010-12-28T18:11:00.032+02:00

Love them, hate them, you cannot help but see them!

If you ask me, I do not like seeing them everywhere in Istanbul. The photos that including them are kind of not my liking. Maybe the ugly shots that cast a shadow in Istanbul's beauty, however it is the fact of Istanbul life:

Of late, they are on the roads. Like any city in the world, main road flower-shops in down town can be little expensive. We know, things are cheaper if they sell. Shot the gypsies (above) on the Bağdat Avenue when I went for shopping this past weekend. Means red in greek language, kokkino is very popular New Year flower now, that they are hurrying up to sell them.

Not selling only flowers, they can also pick old furniture and old iron stuff. They tell your fortune reading up your coffee cup. They sell lottery tickets. They are interesting musicians who sing and play their accordion in the streets, so they are always hopeful to collect some money if people throw them a few cents from their balcony.

I would like to ask, if we should believe in bloggers?

Since I started the writing work on this community I became aware of one fact, important. Bloggers are chasing the "beautiful things" and sharing the only "best photos" of their town/city. Why is it so?

For example, is Rome a beautiful city? Have been to many times there. Of course Rome is not a beautiful city! Rome is not about fountains, squares, cuisine but also life and public fact sheet! Who shows us those sad Rome/Italy photos in a blog? Nobody. I do not want to talk about the southern Italy, Calabria region. How I was very disappointed when comparing north and southern parts of the same country. What about Paris, Wa DC, NYC, Tokyo, London? I saw the not so good parts of those world cities. Marrakesh in Morocco? I saw really poor and horrible photos of Morocco that made me said "oh my God!". If you read a Marrakesh photoblog, she tells it as a heaven on Earth. Who believes?

Another example. What about Turin in Italy? When I read a Turin daily photo blog that is being managed by Pietro, his blog here, there is no any bad photo of Turin life. All the photos are to say to the visitor as if Turin is a wonderland.

My one wish for bloggers is to be honest and, if not that, to be transparent. Share all the beauty and ugliness of your living zone. Because the world is not a fantasyland. Blogosphere should not turn to be a fantasyland under your pen.

Megakent

2010-12-27T19:11:00.026+02:00

Istanbul is a city of three:

S E A

Underground Basilica Cistern

Ferry Mooring Rope (cool vintage green and texture!)

Galata Tower

Arnavutköy Ferry Pier (the Bosphorus)

Maiden's Tower (the Bosphorus)

P E O P L E

Traditional Mosaic Lamps

Handpainted Ceramic Plates

Decorative Handpainted Ceramic Hanging Balls

Traditional Slippers

T I M E

Baroque-style Historical Buildings in Nişantaşı

Non siete per caso uno di quelli che abbiamo tentato senza riuscirvi di trasformare in un cittadino di Istanbul?

Istanbullulaştıramadıklarımızdan mısınız?

Rolling Grape Leaf

2010-12-26T16:08:00.023+02:00

A very popular Turkish dish. Very famous dish. In all regions. Very difficult cooking. Most favorite at tea parties, cocktails, picnics and hosting the guests. Of course, my most loved dish! Can be cooked in two ways. (1) with minced meat (2) olive oil. First way is served with yoghurt. Second is served as cold appetizer. We are now into second way: zeytinyağlı yaprak dolması as we call in turkish, also known as grape leaf rolls with olive oil:

A)) Here's your +++ ingredients list+++

1. 500g vine leaves, but try to find thin leaves!
2. 1.5 cups rice
3. 1 kg onion
4. 1 glass of olive oil
5. 3 cups boiling water
6. 2 teaspoon sugar
7. 1 tablespoon redcurrant
8. 1 teaspoon pimento
9. 1 lemon
10. A pinch of salt
11. A pinch of black pepper

B)) Here's your +++ instructions+++

1. Peel the onions. Cut them very thin. At low heat, sauté without oil. When the color of onions is changing, add oil in.
2. Add the rice. Now continue sauté.
3. Add 1.5 cups of boiling water. Then sugar.
4. Add all of the spices: salt, mint, pimento, blask pepper.
5. Adjust lower heat and simmer until rice absorbs all the water.

6. Fun now starts:) Wrap a spoonful of this mixture in each leaf.

+++Note+++ The vine leaves can be pickled in brine, so easily to be used out of the season. Like my leaves I use today, in December! In this case, what do we do? Leaves should be firstly soaked in warm water to reduce the salt. Don't forget this before starting your rolling process!

7. When finished, lay them all neatly in a saucepan and squeeze a lemon over them.

Now my dolmas (=leave wraps) are ready! I am going for the following steps:

8. Pour 1.5 cups of boiling water. Bring back the heat to the boiling.
9. When water is boiling, get lower the heat, and cook until the water has completely gone.
10. Transfer to a serving dish when cool.
11. Garnish with many lemon slices!

+++ ? +++

If it was your last meal, what would you eat? Share please...

Noelce Bir Gün

2010-12-25T12:00:00.013+02:00

After my beautiful poinsettia, this Cactus de Noel (Turkish: Noel kaktüsü) is blooming now and such wonderful decoration in the red corner of my home. Happy contentment washes over my day. I am very glad to be "me" today!

Lazy Italians

2010-12-24T18:24:00.011+02:00

Invite you to read the news:

[in italian] la tassa di soggiorno da gennaio, La Repubblica

[in english] tax for visitors to the Eternal City, Daily Mail

As you might remember, a few structures collapsed last month in Pompeii, then three chunks of Roman mortar fell from an arched ceiling at the Colosseum last spring. If it was the case that the money would actually go toward the much needed restoration of monuments and artistic heritage maintenance, I would happily pay it!

Stop and think about ancient 2000 year old Pompeii. It alone brings more than ~50 million euro (=70 million $) a year in admission fees!

I don't believe in local councillor Federico Guidi's defensive statement: In order for the City of Rome not to tax Romans, we have decided to tax the tourists.

Could this signal for Italians a coming economical crisis? Portugal, Spain and dolce vita lover "Italy" are on the dark list, I know.

Sometimes It's Just One Word

2010-12-23T20:43:00.029+02:00

There's plenty of same news for weeks! Today I woke and read again:

sport events were canceled. temperatures dipped to -22C/-8F in Scandinavia. endless traffic jams. thousands of travelers sleeping in airports. freezing ducks in the lakes. ice storms affected as far south as Italy. heavy snow blanketed the French capital. problems in transportation in northern Europe. late trains in rail travel. deaths in central Europe from deep freeze. snow even in Australia. freezing much of the US. many travelers waiting in our Istanbul Atatürk Airport for their EU connected flights. snowy chaos.
Ouffff!

Right under of our nose, Europe is freezing however Turkey, in one word "boiling". For example today we felt it 20C in midday! In the south of country people swimming! I wear my shoes with no socks. It is true, the air has moved out the of the arctic. Replaced air in the arctic is warmer, and as a result the air is getting warmer than the same date as previous year. Feeling unlucky and lucky, at the same time, see why now:

morning sun, not flash of my camera!

Early this season I bought them with a big heart-beat. Super long, suede, leather. Wore only 2-times! Today I replaced my très chic boots to the deep back side of my wardrobe.

Just because...

All I need is: strawberry, cruising in a yacht and my flip-flops.

Time To Invest

2010-12-22T18:22:00.033+02:00

These questions arise. Do you have any idea?

(1) Where am I going to?

(2) What's stopping me now?

(3) How do you measure delight?

(4) What fuels you?

As how we look matters, it is important how something looks matters. Being a woman or a man, looking younger or older, that matter as well. Whether I like it or not, I use my senses to make decisions. Personal to environmental conditions, things have an impact on maximizing the flow of my creative juices.

Within a few minutes walking from my home, I face to a pretty nice pink dressed this building that is located in the corner like a candy seller. Most of the time, I forgot its commercial identity because I love pink! I love the old house converted, renewed identity, smart money house:

Göztepe branch of a leading Turkish Bank, Türkiye İş Bankası. Actually the Bank's logo color is dark blue, not gold as seen above. But the outlook is very nice pink, you see. Looks like there is no logo that the Bank hides behind. Other branches of the Bank are in logo colors, but this one in my neighborhood is different having a freedom to look and dress as the management pleases.

When I look at things that we can change like how we wear, many questions come in my mind. The take home message for me is that we should be true who we are, and also remember that how we wear changes how we feel to impact what we do.

!mportant

The Asian side of Mega City Istanbul is becoming a financial hub as of new year 2011! Capital Ankara headquartered Turkish Central Bank, the Istanbul Stock Exchange, many financial institutions, headquarters of all Banks will be moving in my living zone to Ataşehir that is ten minutes drive from my home. So Gov't is aiming Istanbul to make the strongest candidate as a regional and global financial center in the region between London and Tokyo. As you can imagine, buying up lands in this area are boosting the prices. Is there any country which is seriously quickly changing each new day with a different headline on the news, one of the fastest rates of recovery from the worldwide recession?

How does this all come out?

Heat Transfer, Pine Needles, Campus Life

2010-12-20T19:36:00.021+02:00

The temperature of my living room is 23 C now. My hot cup of tea is 45 C. If I allow my hot cup of tea to cool in this room of 23 C, my cup of tea will quickly reach the temperature of the room.

On the other hand, depending upon the size of my cup of tea and the size of my room, the thermal equilibrium temperature will not be 23 degrees. How do I know? Because the energy of my cup of tea will cause the temperature of the room to increase. The 2nd Law of thermodynamics helps me to understand this concept. So it tells me that entropy tends to increase as defined in its formula:

qqqqqqqS = H / T

S = entropy (kJ/kg K)
H = enthalpy (kJ/kg)
T = absolute temperature (K)

The movement of energy, known as Thermodynamics, is the branch of physics and also basis of understanding the behavior of physical systems. Studied thermodynamics I and II, that were one of my most liked lessons. The "grown-up" life is really amazing, I give my appreciation in every stage of the life that there is always something to look forward to but there is nothing like being "university student". I missed being on the campus, studying thermodynamics, taking dynamics classes from our italian professor Antonio (from Milano), the library,...

If you wonder, right now drinking tea and reading the life story of clothing designer Rachel Riley, (above) Sophisticated English Lady. Boring article.

Voice Of The Angels

2010-12-19T13:27:00.032+02:00

When I head down the Istiklal Street of Beyoğlu disctrict on the European part toward the Tünel Quarter, there is a gorgeous greeting just few meters away from St Anthony Church that I love standing on the stairs and looking at this beautiful golden mosaic, depicting the Santa Maria standing on a seashell carried by two angels:

Santa Maria Draperis Church is only one in Istanbul to have the signature of Sultan, that plaque located above the door. The Ottoman Empire's Sultan Abdülhamid II gave his permission for the construction of that church and Rıdvan Pasha, the mayor of Istanbul supported the construction.

Being one of the oldest and holiest Roman Catholic icons in Istanbul, the Santa Maria was built by Genoese Nicolo Draperis in 1584, who was the famed merchants in Galata. Interior of the Church is also interesting and colorfully ornamented, I love it! Sculptor Lorenzo Gerotti brought the marble used for the altar from Italy, and worked on the main hall which both the altar and chancel area feature late baroque and roman catholic styles. Sources say that, this Church survived the great fire in 1881 with a very little damage while other churches in the town were destroyed. Then, Architect Guglielmo Semprini supervised the re-building and renovated.

Apart from being a fine mixture of western and Ottoman architectural forms, Santa Maria Draperis Church stands as unique senthesis of tolerance and appreciation between religions, Christianity and Islam. I am very lucky coming from a beautiful City that is really crossroads and best example for the values.

Turning down the page for 2010. Will we be able to see good tolerance and understanding in 2011's world? Who's the best; hindu? buddist? christian? ateist? Why religion still important problem? What's the point missing, respect or tolerance? Should I select my (blog) friends according to his/her religion?

Unfortunately the same problem exists on this "blogging" community!

A bit of my Joan of Arc soul would like to fight for it...

*you can enlarge my photos*

Russian Mountain

2010-12-17T18:18:00.023+02:00

Riotous colors. Mad geometric patterns. You can skip the annoyance of reading a book, and knit a pair of Colored Happy Feet for yourself! Happy face is the mirror of happy feet, don't you think so:)

Sock knitting in Turkish way is very pretty and fun to what I know from knitters. And, it could be something new if you like sock knitting. Knitting from cuff down in Americas and also western Europe countries, however in Turkey mostly sock starting is at the toe, increasing until the foot width is well fitting, and going on up from there.

Here are five traditional patterns to knit; all wonderful, all great Turkish designs:

Those above the most unusual and vintage Anatolian socks are coming from my Antiques Collection. "Too beautiful to be true"! I always adore our folkloric wovens, but knitting is something like a Russian mountain for me, in particular above richness in no way I could make, nowhere else you could see.

Walking On Salt, ROMANTİK!

2010-12-15T17:29:00.033+02:00

First impression: surprise!

When we reach the edge intense whiteness gives us a freezing sensation. Glinting light to the west and gorgeous view..

Second impression: adjustment our feelings!
Crystals look deceptively like snow and ice.. but are we sure about it, snow?

Third impression: convinced!
Oh, not snow crystals like we guessed, but salt. That is really salt beneath our feet. We start to think about salt, that's one of our life's most important ingredients. Makes up 3.5% of a human body, and did you know... the proportion of salt in the world's seas is also 3.5%. Yes, it is extraordinary testimony to the balance of nature!

Located in Central Anatolia, 150 km SSE of (capital) Ankara, on the way to Cappadocia, visiting Lake Tuz (Turkish: Tuz Gölü) should be included in the itinerary of every Cappadocia traveler!

I saw the same lake twice during my two Cappadocia trips that I took this year, in august and october. Everytime I am amazed by the strange sight of the salt gleaming like silverline beneath the clear lake water. We did not mind sinking occasionally into the "interesting" patches of mud and took long walks across the lake. I enjoyed very much the sensation of wading through this unearthly pure white wonderland disregarding the splashes of water on my bermuda and blouse. Because it was much more romantik than walking on snow:)

Also called Tatta in the past, Tuz Gölü it is the 2nd largest lake in the country. Characterictically, it's shallow. Also one of the richest salt beds in the world! Due to its high salinity (33%), 300 thousand tons of salt is obtained here per year, and this is 60% of the total salt production in Turkey. From July to August, the lake evaporates into reflective white salt. After dirty layer is removed, the clean salt is gathered into mounds and loaded manually onto the wagons of mini trains. So it is how the {TUZ=salt} comes on our tables:)

However, there are some "very sad" alarming rates about this beautiful Lake that are dampening our mood! The water surface of the Lake Tuz decreased to:

216,400 hectares in 1915
92,600 ----"----- in 1987
32,600 ----"----- in 2005
---- no Lake? ---- in 2015

Due to the global warming, the Lake has shrunk by 85% over 90 years. If urgent and necessary measurements are not taken to protect it, TUZ GÖLÜ will no longer exist within 5 years.

Camel train
consists of a "thousand camels",
was each carrying up to
250kg salt
in the ancient times

PS- you can enlarge my photos

Yeni Yıl

2010-12-12T18:35:00.018+02:00

Preparations inside and,

for loved ones outside my house,

are almost finished.

Made a difference this year! I thought for those poor and hungry people around the world, and also many people who are squeezed for money because of the tight economy. Instead of purchasing UNICEF or Hallmark cards, I went to create my own greeting cards, 100% hand-made. Materials simply are daily newspaper, travel brochures, buttons, pine, red felt... It was fun weekend that enjoyed so much. Result is quite satisfying, and I advice you all to give it a try.

Meanwhile, did you start practicing? "two-thousand-eleven", or dropping the thousand and simply "twenty-eleven".. In just 19 days it will be the newest of years that I am impatient to hug (in turkish) Yeni Yıl, meaning New Year.

Being Second Isn't Enough

2010-12-11T15:12:00.022+02:00

Behind expectations! Turkish economy grew 5.5% in the 3Q, and 8.9% in the first 9-months of 2010.

Türkiye is one of a few countries that is still able to make very good progress in a post-crisis environment that left many trying to recuperate from serious losses. Indicators say that we are Europe's the 2nd fastest growing sizeable economy after Sweden which grew 6.9%.

What could I see happening in 2011?

Well, no prediction. Because Turkey's role will be bigger than usual in 2011. To be the #1 economy in Europe and in OECD is what I expect. Follow us, or follow me:)

Read more news from:

Businessweek

Swedishwire

Intersection..... Glacial. 2 Degrees.

2010-12-10T17:02:00.042+02:00

Irrevocable cold, undesirable white of the Istanbul.

=getting closer possible with double click on my photos=

And now, all snow painting the town is making me think of warm and being warm. I am averse to cold and cold places either. So I was just browsing. Because it's the only way to move ahead without baggage...

Bodrum, my summer @2010

Supportive posts about Bodrum can be reached here:
B1 - B2 - B3 - B4 - B5

Generous Jupiter

2010-12-09T19:53:00.027+02:00

I am the member of a Turkey's leading private on-line shopping club, Markafoni. Offers members at a saving of up to 80's percent off. The site, as you may know, is for quality goods of very well-known and/or world famous brands. Last day I was pretty excited to receive e-mail. Was about a gift check to me. So I made up my selection for the following so-beautiful-necklace among many items: very nice mix of crystals and white pearls. This is from a Hong Kong based jewelery company that has opened its first and new store abroad in Istanbul this year. Sometime next week I should receive it from cargo.

As based on invitation, do not hesitate to send me e-mail if you want to become a member. Only for residents in Turkey, of course.

Oh thanks very much to Jupiter; the giver of luck, gifts, expansion and opportunity. It is traveling in my sign, and natural ruler of my significant houses if I have had a burst of luck since the beginning of current year!!!

After A One Hour Walk

2010-12-07T15:47:00.026+02:00

One of those perfect Sonbahar (:autumn) days. Warm in the sun and warm in the shade. Enjoying the beautiful yalis (:mansion) by the Bosphorus on Asian side (I live) and dancing with the flowers. Walking is the best way to taste of the town and way of getting around that does not pollute, improves my health, save my Liras, and unlike driving, might even result in unexpected and spontaneous interactions with my neighbors and friends of nature..

-- click to enlarge my photos--

-- west meets east via bosphorus bridge --

When back to home, it was nice to warm inside with chrysanthemums I picked on the Bosphorus side. Would be nicer to insert a few tealights floating and use my Blue-Eye glass vase as a lampshade in dark evenings. Also some music? Addicted nowadays to this written in the stars from tinie tempah..

-- following does not enlarge, no click --

Autumn is about to finish here, and we enjoyed the 99,75% autumn under the blue sky with gentle sunlight.

Mozart Sunday In Turkey

2010-12-05T10:19:00.014+02:00

-
In Vienna there is a park called "Türkenschanzpark", means Turkish trench park. The words inscribed in Turkish and German on the fountain that was erected in this green area exhibit the traces of Ottoman influence: "The heart is the home of the friend, I came to give heart."

Combing the golden pages of our great history, of our great the Ottoman Empire.

Beginning of the 17th century. Stretching from southern Hungary to Jerusalem, to Mecca, to Cairo, and to the earternmost frontier in Algeria. The most powerful state in the world, the Ottoman Empire reached its largest historical size! Famed for its strong and efficient central government, military power and extraordinary wealth at its height. The Ottoman's ambitions extended all the way to Austria...

The 1st Siege of Vienna in 1529, led by Sultan Suleiman l the Magnificent.

1600's... Sadly those years marked the beginning of a long and slow decline that would lead to the dissolution of the Empire 300 years later, after World War I.

Then again in 1683, the 2nd Siege of Vienna. Ottoman leaders was hoping a new victory might restore the Empire to its full glory. After this 2nd siege of Vienna City, the figure of Turk and also Turkish Culture -exotic clothes, harems, to waterpipes- became popular throughout Europe. Turkish characters cropped up in all sorts of plays and operas.

Although in Mozart's time (Salzburg, Jan 27, 1756 - Vienna, Dec TODAY, 1791), the Ottomans ["Turks"] were no longer a serious threat to the Viennese or all Europe, it was still a recent memory. Made Mozart inspired by the Ottoman siege, above you played his famous Turkish March.

I like our March, the great Musician's piano sonata A major, a gift to Turks in highest value. So Turks are important for Mozart. And, Mozart for us. TODAY remarks the day of a man's 219th death anniversary that is highly avant-garde piece of music. Thank you, Mozart, we all love you.

Da Voi Scomparirebbe!

2010-12-04T15:07:00.044+02:00

art = sanat

nature = doğa

woman = kadın

(replicas of jewelery used by ancient Anatolian Civilizations;
ottoman tile and kilim motifs in silver)

Do not be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve, and let others how much she means to you:) Forget the season and remember life is jolly because of Kadın.

My images of today are daily & seasonal which come from: europe (the gallery), and asia (all others) that I live on with. If you are a good visual thinker, this article will help you a lot, go direct to imagine the Queen City. If not, remember ALL of those fantastix are disappear; best is come closer, to Istanbul, in person:)

An Incident?

2010-11-30T20:03:00.026+02:00

I can say this hereafter:

Oh my, what a secret-less world;)

I think we are in the beginning of a new "information war" in the "information age"! WhatİKnowİsLeaks earthquake began Sunday night showed that confidential remarks, field cables, thousands of pages of data and intelligence reports can be easily made public. Easy as that?!

A sort of cake fighting for all countries at door. For what I am sure about is the diplomatic style and relationships will be influenced. Seriously. I think we are getting ready for what I might call new world order. In near term, not long. Can I expect more than it? Yes I can. Yes I do. Because it is said that there are still more documents to come, say more dirty(!) tricks on the waiting list.. We will see.

Until the day that we will see, I can't stop thinking that not they are bad guys who are behind of WikiLeaks. It is gonna be better than today. Welcome WikiDays ahead, and wondering who said them to push the button? I wish this could be made public as well.

A Star In His Eyes

2010-11-29T12:58:00.027+02:00

(i wrote a haiku for it)
Every single leaf,
in the hopes for fresh,
A brilliant star.

} i like spraying silver powder {

It is more than a holiday icon for me! My most favorite. Because nothing dresses up my home like its vibrant bi-colors... çok çekici ve bambaşka güzelsin sen ya!

Our Father figure, founder of modern Turkish Republic, Atatürk loved so much this flores de noche buena, and pioneered for the plantation and recognition of this fantastic poinsettia all over the country. Since then, we call it with his name as Atatürk Çiçeği in turkish, meaning the Flower of Atatürk. Rarely we may also call it Noel Yıldızı, meaning Christmas Star.

Is there any plant in the world that is being called with a statesman name? I did not hear, except ours!

Spinning Coin

2010-11-27T11:16:00.029+02:00

23MIO+ tourists enjoyed TÜRKİYE in 2010 (Jan-Sep). 6% increase compared to the same term in 2009 (J-S). Most visitors from: Germany 15%, Russia 12% and UK 10%.

My enlargeable 'Visitor' photographs are from the trips that I took in various spots at home this year. If you break your promise, no matter how small or big your travel plans about TÜRKİYE, you will be angry and upset, so be decisive and tactful:)

Long-time dreaming African Safari (particularly in Kenya), Pyramids and Nile in Egypt and Iran are in my plans for next year. Oh come 2011 come quickly!

Happy Mehmet

2010-11-25T20:10:00.015+02:00

Mehmet is Turkish. Pierre is French. Karl is German... Mehmet likes rakı (the traditional Turkish alcoholic beverage). Pierre the wine. Karl the beer... They are the names of happy people who come from a different country around the world.

{ designer with his design }

On the basis of drinking traditions of a nation, celebrated industrial designer Karim Rashid designed the Happy People Collection for the award-winning Turkish design house Gaia & Gino

{ our belief on 'eye' brings good luck against evil, so it is blue }

Are you doing what you are passionate about, or is your job simply how you support your lifestyle? Join the discussion.

Fenerbahçe Parkı

2010-11-20T14:21:00.039+02:00

There was an ancient lighthouse garden at the Fenerbahçe cape. So the name of this so beautiful park "Fenerbahçe" comes from fener meaning 'lighthouse' and bahçe 'garden'. Located on the Asian side at the shore of the Sea of Marmara, it is also one of the upscale districts in the City, having the same name like the park, Fenerbahçe. A few minutes walking from my home, I always like come here and take tours inside. One girl + Two Season + Twentytwo shots:

FP is actually home for 'everything', particularly for historically important trees!
One of them is above; Pistacia Atlantica [Sakız ağacı in turkish]. It is the natural species of Turkey. This tree is 250 yrs old!

The blueer part of this beautiful Fenerbahçe Parkı is here: Romantika Café. The great delight is to stop here to take some drink/gelato viewing the matchless islands and all around, just splendid. A note to yourself, spring and especially summer are the times the Park returns to be an oasis for every kind of greens and live events, guitar concerts, more..!

Above is the only tree coming from the Imperial Garden of Majesty Grand Sultan in the Ottoman Empire, known as the Lawgiver, Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566)! Cupressaceae [Servi ağacı in turkish]. This tree is 450 yrs old!

The tree is giving small berries in rosé wine color on these days (below), soooo beautiful.

Season? I am not able to name it... Calendar says it is November in Istanbul in my photos. To me, like "no trenchcoat" warm! Summery goodness:)

~You might enlarge my views taken on 11/18, pls click on.