LaLa Land

Sending warm Christmas wishes to all my friends and family!!!! Here's a photo of the shabbiest Santa I've ever seen -- he's selling lottery tickets on Istiklal Caddesi and looks more like SATAN Claus!!! Tomorrow I will probably spend the day Christmas shopping since it's just another day in the Muslim world. I'll be missing my family on this first Christmas with my beautiful niece, Wiley!!! Kiss her for her Aunt Lala!!!!








I finally went to Sultanahmet -- I can't believe I have been in Turkey a month and have only just made it over there. I visited my friends Salih and Mehmet Can and saw the Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Camii (The Blue Mosque). It's a gorgeous old part of town but I don't miss seeing all the tourists and getting hassled by the touts ("Hey, lady -- where are you from?!? You dropped something -- my heart."). Offfff.




Last night I went outside for more firewood and it was snowing HARD! It's slushy and not sticking much during the day but quite lovely coming down.

I made it to the hamam again recently and had the works done! The waxing took quite a while -- cutting down old growth is hard work! The ladies were disappointed that I didn't bring my camera again so I'll definitely get some more photos next time.

Off to Taksim -- Merry Christmas!!!!