Boo-Hoo

So the Brokeback shopping list has already changed. Over here, the big sell-out news was L'Oreal buying Body Shop. The same week, back in the US of A, Colgate bought Tom's of Maine. It's getting harder and harder to stay one step ahead of The Man! I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this any more! At least, I'm not buying your stinking shave cream (since, like, you stopped making it anyway)...

Thessaloniki

We were supposed to take an overnight train from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, but there had been torrential rains in Bulgaria, which opened flood gates and consequently washed out the tracks in Turkey. So we took the bus.

This is all I have to show for the 10 hour trip:
Istanbul bus station
Coke Light can

Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we checked in to a lovely hotel and then got a walking tour courtesy of Savvas. I was only semi-conscious until around lunch time the next day:
Art nouveau doorway
HelExpo
Very Ottoman-looking
Cathedral
Art gallery...
...in former mosque
City wall
Self portrait
Ate delicious dinner here

The next day we went to see King Phillip's tomb, an hour or so out of town. Then we returned to the city for a seaside repast featuring more grilled octopus and two kinds of whole little fried fish, followed by a stroll along the waterfront promenade.
UFO Club
Face stickers
Umbrella art 1

That night, the kids went off to Athens, and I was left to wander on my own...
Umbrella art 2
Former hamam
Entrance
Pavement design
Groovy building & sign
Knotweed
Saw thistle
Old sign
Old house
Scary!
Crumbling...
...old...
...architecture
Dog
Haussman-esque
Shell gas mascot
Real estate ads
Wall walk garden
Wall walk gate
Wall walk blue house
Wall walk yellow house
Wall taverna

The next day it was time to say goodbye. I decided not to buy any souvenirs, but I did get a delicious Greek easter bread at the bakery, which was pretty much the only thing open on Sunday.
Souvenirs
Bakery
Marketing!

Istanbul - March '06

After the end of Lent term, a group from the program went to Istanbul and Thessaloniki. Steven, just returning from a round-the-world trip, met me in Istanbul for a long weekend.

Near Galata Tower
Lots of amazing neon
5 Kat sign
Trendy Cuppa
Flowers, Taksim Square
It's a face!
Yikes!
Self-portrait 1
"French" street
Gate
Halva - yum!
Flavin-esque
Bakery sign
Grand Bazaar
New Mosque
Antique thingie
Artichoke, Istanbul Modern
Manti, Istanbul Modern
Dolmas, Istanbul Modern
Sign, Pera
Construction, Pera
Construction, Pera
Building in Sultanhamet
Near Hagia Sofia
Hagia Sofia
Hagia Sofia
View from Sulimaniye
View from Sulimaniye
View from Sulimaniye
Cafe, Pera
Steven, Pera
Pera
Self portrait 2
The next 'hood
The next 'hood
Window grate
Kitty
Ladybug cakes, Istiklal