Friday, December 09, 2005
Lolling about
Not much to post these last few days. It's been a mellow week in Istanbul spent catching up from the illness, remembering to eat my antibiotics, making food, doing laundry, and such. Monday night, Selman, Bob, and I went to Taksim to meet Selman's brother and then spent time with Amelia and Emre watching "Team America" on DVD. That was a riot! On Tuesday night, Selman and I went to Araf Bar in Taksim to hear Selim Sesler's band. Selim was not there but his son was playing clarinet and amazingly! The band is Macedonian Rom and play some wild hot music. The instrumentation included G clarinet, kanun, darbuka, violin, and keyboard. The musicians play extended sets while sitting at a table. Between sets they inhale cigarettes and beer and then are off again. The bar is on the 4th floor with a gorgeous view of Istanbul. It was a very nice night. You can hear some MP3's of the group at http://mp3romantic.net/it/artist/57BC7/Selim-Sesler-Orchester/
Selman left for the east yesterday. His brother is in Istanbul for surgery and he felt he needed to be back with his family and to be working. He is greatly missed by Bob and me. He is a special person and the time we spent with him at his home in Silopi was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! He has invited me to Silopi for his wedding when that day comes. Since his sister-in-law Perihan gave me the beautiful purple dress that I wore to the Silopi wedding, I already know what I will wear to his wedding! Best wishes to you, Ağaymı!!!
Today Bob and I are going to the local outdoor covered market for produce and supplies. Then I will take my first hamam (Turkish bath) of the trip! I'm looking forward to a good sauna and soapy massage! Since Bob still has only restricted electricity in his house, the shower is not functioning and baths consist of heating water and bathing from a basin. This is sufficient most of the time (those months without running water in New Mexico come to mind -- at least I only have to turn on a tap to get the water) but a good deep heating will be nice.
FYI: All of the photos on this site may be clicked and enlarged for more detailed viewing. See the intestines up close!
Selman left for the east yesterday. His brother is in Istanbul for surgery and he felt he needed to be back with his family and to be working. He is greatly missed by Bob and me. He is a special person and the time we spent with him at his home in Silopi was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! He has invited me to Silopi for his wedding when that day comes. Since his sister-in-law Perihan gave me the beautiful purple dress that I wore to the Silopi wedding, I already know what I will wear to his wedding! Best wishes to you, Ağaymı!!!
Today Bob and I are going to the local outdoor covered market for produce and supplies. Then I will take my first hamam (Turkish bath) of the trip! I'm looking forward to a good sauna and soapy massage! Since Bob still has only restricted electricity in his house, the shower is not functioning and baths consist of heating water and bathing from a basin. This is sufficient most of the time (those months without running water in New Mexico come to mind -- at least I only have to turn on a tap to get the water) but a good deep heating will be nice.FYI: All of the photos on this site may be clicked and enlarged for more detailed viewing. See the intestines up close!
// posted by LaLa @ 2:09 AM 
