We are well here in Istanbul - no matter what you read in the news!
The third chandelier is done, the three small red chandeliers in the lobby are done, the ceiling glass discs are being installed and will be done by noon tomorrow, the pendant lamps, restaurant lamps, and sconces are all in the works, so we are doing pretty well.
Going to dinner now - so I will post photos after I get back from dinner and a walk!!
Eloise
So this is how we start everyday at the Divan City hotel where we are staying. An amazing breakfast buffet . . . where we tried everything on the first few days, but now into week number two we are much more selective and eating smaller portions. We can order any eggs any style as well as what is pictured below . . . we are not going without! So much for any diets! This is a see-food diet!
All sorts of breads and muffins and Danish and croissants . . .
Hazelnuts, raisins, apricots (upper left) to add to muesli . . .
Large bowls of Nutella, jam, meats and cheeses . . .
A selection of olives, seasonings, cheeses, and meats . . .
Various cheeses . . .
Note the honey comb to the right . . . everyday there is wonderful honey right from the hive!
This the "Healthy Section" - fruits and yogurt - including stewed apricots, delicious melons, apples, fruit cup made from fresh fruit . . .
Back to work - on the glass disc ceiling over the stairwell. There are about 130 glass discs that have to be screwed into the metal frame, that is now installed in the ceiling recess.
Lunch time at the Kebab House - up on their second floor restaurant under large red umbrellas. Kathy and Robert had a business lunch with a Turkish glass blower who is going to help repair the glass sushi bar pieces. Rachel and Luc arrived to the hotel to join Jay, Juliana and Eloise for lunch . . . There is a large park or green area beyond the back of the terrace. We wish to explore this area, as we could see various dogs and folks walking below. We were sitting up in the trees, and all sorts of large exotic looking birds were flying around . . .
Turkish tea served in a typical hourglass shaped glass cup, and always served black with sugar cubes.
A cigarette/cigar salesman's tray on the street . . .
Workers installing the stone floors in the elevators . . .
Planning where and when to meet in the evening . . .
Eloise installing the small red chandeliers . . . three in the lobby near the three large red chandeliers . . .
The devil within . . .
Jay has made great progress installing the glass in the ceiling frame . . .
After dinner Robert, Juliana and Eloise went for a walk before bed. We wandered through the neighborhood behind the Divan City Hotel. It is very hilly with lanes and apartments going up and down. We turned one corned and came upon the most intriguing restaurant - all in an old VW camper van. Two men were inside, one cooking at a grill along the back of the van, cooking meat he had taken out of the little refrigerator in the van. He had a counter along the window, with various bowls of herbs and oils, etc. and along the other side were rolls and bread, onions and vegetable. In the front passenger seat was a man, sitting in the seat that was turned to the driver's seat. On the driver's seat was water and he was washing up the dirty dishes. It was a sight, just parked along the road, with customers lined up at the back buying food. A kebab van on the go . . .
At around 10:00 p.m. we came upon this fish restaurant round the corner from our hotel. They were singing Turkish songs with a guitar accompaniment . . . and we were invited in and served some Turkish tea. The music was wonderful and people very nice and friendly. The main musician was very good, and plays in a band with an orchestra? (or band?) at at night spot near Taksim Square. He is playing this Saturday at midnight, and we have the name of the club, so depending on energy levels, we may go and hear him. Anyway we are planing to go back for a fish dinner sometime. We met a Turkish man who used to live in Geneva, who was a good interpreter, and who comes to eat at this restaurant every night, as he doesn't like to cook and lives across the street. And we met the fisherman whose boat is up where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea, where he fishes for food for his brother's restaurant. It was a fun evening with lots of singing and dancing!
No comments:
Post a Comment