Today I decided to hang out on the ship (the Oceanic Vista). We didn’t dock in Istanbul until 1 pm. Then, with most people off on excursions, I had the perfect opportunity to enjoy all the ship has to offer. I’ll be spending five days in Istanbul, so will have plenty of time to sightsee, and I’ve been here before. … Read More
Istanbul – Day 2
Disembarkation from the ship was swift and easy, especially since I had a wheelchair assist. That was a good thing, since it was about half a mile from the gangway to the taxi stand (including clearing immigration and claiming luggage). The taxi driver, Ali, introduced himself and then immediately started suggesting he could be my driver. He would take me … Read More
Istanbul – Day 4
If you aren’t hungry now, be prepared—this post will definitely whet your appetite. At 5 am I was woken by the call from the muezzin at a local mosque. A muezzin is a person appointed at a mosque to recite the call to prayer, which is announced five times a day. It is the signal for the faithful to stop … Read More
Istanbul – Day 4
Yesterday was about food, today was about shopping. My original plan was to go to the Mosaic Museum. Then I’d walk to the nearby hop-on-hop-off bus stop and enjoy a scenic trip around the city. I’d get off at the spice market, have lunch and walk around for a bit. Making plans is inviting trouble. The museum’s website indicated they … Read More
Istanbul – Day 5
I’ve had a food day and a shopping day in Istanbul. Today was a culture day. My first stop was Taksim Square, a bustling hub of activity and a symbol of modern Türkiye. Located in the heart of Istanbul, it’s known for its lively atmosphere, hotels, shops, and restaurants. In the center of the square is the Republic Monument, commemorating … Read More
Istanbul – Day 6
Today was my final full day in Istanbul before returning home. I spent the morning wandering around my neighborhood. In the afternoon I visited with an American friend who has been living in Istanbul for the past fourteen years. To get to her neighborhood I took a now familiar tram to the ferry terminal on the Bosphorus. I was early, … Read More
Olafur Eliasson
While traveling I visited the Istanbul Modern Art Museum specifically to see an exhibit of Olafur Eliasson’s work. Eliasson is an Icelandic artist whose light installations have been shown around the globe. My first encounter was almost twenty years ago at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. His hypnotic light tunnel shimmered and changed with every step through it. … Read More
Tiffany Lamps and Clara Driscoll
Yesterday evening I met up with fellow Score mentors (the organization I volunteer with) for an evening at the New York Historical Society. It’s an often overlooked museum that has fascinating exhibitions. I immediately headed for the Tiffany lamps. Apart from the dazzling lamps, this is a show about feminism and how women’s achievements have been buried. Clara Driscoll led … Read More
Brooklyn Museum — Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo
Mid the July 4th weekend, I assumed the Brooklyn Museum would be sparsely attended. Nope. Two blockbusters shows brought in crowds—Paul McCartney’s photos and Hiroshige’s woodblock prints of Edo (Tokyo). The museum’s collection of Hiroshige’s woodblock prints is purported to be among the world’s finest. The colors are vibrant, preserved after decades in storage. The subject matter is his hometown … Read More
Paul McCartney’s Photos at the Brooklyn Museum
This exhibition of McCartney’s photos is titled: 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm. It was the period when the Beatles hit it big, starting when they left Liverpool. They began to perform internationally, first in Europe and then in the United States. The photos are the equivalent of home movies—Paul’s take on what was swirling around them. They look so young, … Read More