the "living room"
We have arrived and even slept, after a fairly brutal journey here. By the time we finally arrived at the Bereket apartments, we were ready to stop. We had been in the air and waiting around airports for about 24 hours. I unpacked and fell into bed rapidly. Even though it was 1 AM, the youth went exploring the neighborhood, and made friends over beer with some kids at a hostel. When I was in Morocco in the mid 80's, we had to seek out alcohol in the Jewish neighborhoods. And if anything, Turkey is even more Moslem. Well, more on that, anon. Even Keelin--normally the first to fall out--managed to stay awake a few hours (since she slept on the longest flight).
The facade of our apartment
A driver met us at the airport and took us to out apartment. They had a bowl of fruit, a jug of water, and a bottle of quite good red Turkish wine (a nice 2006 blend of Cab, merlot, and aligante) waiting for us.
entrance to our apartment
I sit here sipping some bad "3 in 1" Nescafe (sugar, instant coffee, powdered creamer, all in one "product," which reminds me of being in Greece when Nescafe ruled. I am listening to the twitter and chirping of birds (and one hungry cat) and delivery trucks as Istanbul begins to wake up. About two hours ago, I was awakened by the sound of a Muezzin calling people to prayers at the mosque. This is exciting, and I am having trouble not waking people yet. This is not normal on a family trip--I am always the one up until late, sleeping four hours past everyone else.
Our apartment is on a very narrow cobblestone street (and it's carless!). The apartments is extremely light, with some views of the Old City. Around the corner is the Konak Patisserie & Cafe which I am itching to try as soon as everyone wakes up!
view from the bedroom
Our apartment building, a five story walk-up was built in 1885 and has been (seismically too I hope) restored, with ten foot ceilings, fantastic ornate plasterwork cornices, well-worn hardwood floors, some brick walls, burnished old wooden window frames, rear-facing Romeo and Juliet balconies, nice bathrooms with big tubs, a washer, a serviceable kitchen, and satellite TV, a CD player, and (!!!) a high speed Internet connection, which is why I am writing to you at 6 in the morning.
Our apartment building, a five story walk-up was built in 1885 and has been (seismically too I hope) restored, with ten foot ceilings, fantastic ornate plasterwork cornices, well-worn hardwood floors, some brick walls, burnished old wooden window frames, rear-facing Romeo and Juliet balconies, nice bathrooms with big tubs, a washer, a serviceable kitchen, and satellite TV, a CD player, and (!!!) a high speed Internet connection, which is why I am writing to you at 6 in the morning.
More soon...after all, all I've done in Istanbul so far is drink coffee in my apartment and write to you, Friendos.
---o0o---
