A few last pix of Istanbul

Bridge over the Bosphorus, connecting Europe and Asia.

And I couldn’t resist one last balloon-over-Cappadocia

Here are the rabbits who told my fortune, outside of the Aya Sofia — all signs point to lettuce — in other words, it’s all lookin’ good. Specifically, the rabbits sniff, select and pull out a little blue folded piece of paper off a lettuce tray just for you; and mine read: “You will have good news and be very happy very soon You succeed everything you attempt If you acquired wealth, you will get it even it’s a bit delayed”. Given that I’d been to the mosques, and the churches, and the holy sights in Jordan, and the pyramids in Bosnia even, I figured the rabbits might have some kinda sign — and for 3 Turkish lira (about $2) the rabbits were worth it, if only for the picture. I don’t really understand the bit about acquiring wealth and having it be delayed — but it sounds positive, no?

The “Fortress of Europe”, built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 4 months in 1453. Each section was assigned to a vizier who was to be executed if it wasn’t completed in time — now that’s motivation.

And a home, a wood-framed Pasha’s retreat on the Bosphorus, that sold for USD $125mm in 2007 — and you thought Candy Spelling was spending a lot of money on her new condo, at $47mm.

This (to the left) is where I ate, and where I did just a little shopping (no lie; it was only a little…there). I stayed at the Angel’s Home Hotel, connected to the restaurant; a kinda kitschy (red-velvet heart shaped pillows with gold fringe on the beds; lots of angels and cupids everywhere) boutique hotel, with breakfast on the terrace on the top of the hotel, with views on one side of the Bosphorus and the other of the Blue Mosque. Not the Four Seasons, Sultanemet, which was right around the corner (and the former prison that was the original “midnight express” location — how crazy is that!) but very cool, and a way better deal.

~ by mimi on July 24, 2008.