Istanbul

I’ve escaped to Turkey. Arrived late this afternoon and took the metro and tram system to my hotel, which is about a quarter mile from the most famous sites in the city — Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque. Took a long walk at sunset along the Sea of Marmara and walked among the narrow streets below the mosques. It’s a truly beautiful city. Was able to snap a few photos before sunset, but I’ll take more tomorrow.

Dinner was on a rooftop at a hotel, with a view of the Bosphorus and the mosques. Stunning scenery, a lovely breeze, clean air, and the food wasn’t bad either.

I’ll write more soon. I wasn’t going to bring my computer, but I didn’t finish all of the work I had to do this week, so part of this vacation is going to be of the “working” variety. But only part. The upshot is I’ll be able to write dispatches in my hotel rooms.

Now if I can just get that song by They Might Be Giants (or The Four Tops for the older set) out of my head.

Every gal in Constantinople

Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople.

So if you’ve got a date in Constantinople

She’ll be waiting in Istanbul.

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam.

Why they changed it no one will say,

They just liked it better that way.

Istanbul, not Constantinople, yes it’s

Istanbul, not Constantinople.

Why did Constantinople get the works?

That’s no one’s business but the Turks.