Impressive Istanbul

Christy, Lacey and I flew to Istanbul the evening of March 18 and arrived in Sultanahmet (old town) about 10pm. We had a package deal of flight and hotel (Hotel Albatross) from a Greek travel agent here in Athens. This was their first time in Istanbul and my second. I was here 15 years ago as MaryLynne and I began our 11 week backpacking trip around Europe.


Saturday morning we got going and headed to the Blue Mosque which was about 5 minutes from our hotel. Bagged our shoes, draped our scarves over heads and went into the beautiful mosque. This mosque was completed in 1616 and is called the Blue Mosque because of the blue Iznik tiles throughout the interior. We then walked over to the Hippodrome (which used to be a chariot racetrack but now is a park) and saw the Egyptian Obelisk from Luxor (1500 BC) and the Serpentine Column from Greece made in 479 B.C.

We stopped at the Cozy Pub and Restaurant for lunch and coffee. We had the most delicious hummus! We then met Flynn (who had taken the train up from Ankara) and as luck would have it his “hotel” was just around the corner from ours. Since Flynn had been there just 6 weeks prior he was our instant tour guide and since he lives in Turkey knew some Turkish – extra bonus!

Lacey, Flynn, Christy inside Grand Bazaar

We went to the Grand Bazaar which is definitely grand! There really is no way for you to ever remember where you saw a particular item if you leave the row. We found the Turkish culture a culture to negotiate with – you really never have to pay what the asking price is! On our walking tour, we also had the opportunity to go into the Suleymaniye Mosque which was built in 1557. The atmosphere among the visitors was more peaceful and sacred than that of the Blue Mosque which I found more genuine.

me inside Hagia Sofia

We continued to the Taxim Square area by taking the trolley over the bridge. This is where all the action is. This weekend was the beginning of Istanbul’s 40 days of shopping Festival and the pedestrian sidewalks were packed full of people and musicians and street performers. The area of Beyoglu which reminded me of Kolonaki (here in Athens) had many unique boutiques, cafes and restaurants. This area is also well-known for the Galata Tower – supposedly it has great views of the city but it was dark and foggy so we didn’t venture up there. We finally ate dinner at a fish restaurant in the Taxim Square area.

However the night didn’t end here. We ventured back to our area and found a bar with Karaoke! Let me tell you, I have a horrible singing voice and have never done karaoke! But with some liquid courage and encouragement by Flynn, we sang some duets together. Flynn has a nice voice and used to do Elvis Presley impersonation gigs back in Philly. We sang Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Islands of the Stream (which my two younger friends (Lacey and Christy) had never heard of!) and Summer Loving! Since we were there until the early hours we danced some traditional dances with the local Turkish men (who worked there). What a full and wonderful day!

Sunday, we visited Hagia Sofia, the Church of Holy Wisdom – rebuilt and still standing since 537. Since 1934 it has been a museum. It is huge! Afterwards we toured the Basilica Cistern - this is completely underground and used to hold 18 million gallons of water.  There were many large fish swimming around the shallow waters.  Though it was dark and accented with reddish lights, it was very neat.  there are two Medusa heads (one upside down and the other sideways) as bases of 2 of the columns holding up the roof.  Then Flynn went to the Archaeological Museum and we gals went to Topkapi Palace. This palace was huge! I toured the Harem; this was the area where more than 1,000 occupants lived. Two-thirds of these were royal children or servants, while the rest were concubines. Girls arrived between 5-12 years old and spent years in the dormitories and underwent a thorough education before being introduced to a sultan.

After this tourist highlight, Christy and Lacey went to experience their first Turkish bath (hamam). And Flynn and I went shopping and stopped to warm up and have some Turkish tea. We reunited about 8.30pm and were off to find this fish restaurant which Flynn recommended. It took a while to find, but alas we came to Balikci Sabahattin Fish Restaurant, a great old building and restaurant (1927) (www.balikcisabahattin.com). Fresh fish is delicious in Istanbul and for the second night in a row I had sea bass! After dinner we went to a place to smoke a water pipe/nargillah/shesha/hookah (there are many names!) This is what most Middle Easterners do.

Monday we had breakfast with Flynn and then I sadly said good-bye to him, yet I was so appreciative that he took the time to join me in Istanbul. Then the girls hit the town for some shopping. Our favorite strip was the Arasta Bazaar – a strip of stores right in the Sultanahmet area near our hotel. I purchased a gorgeous new bathrobe which is made from organic natural materials and hand woven by Turkish families. The owner of Jennifer’s Hamam is a woman named Jennifer Gaudet who is from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! I also purchased a hamam towel – the site is http://www.jennifershamam.com . We also each bought necklaces from another store, scarves from the unique textile of ikat and other nick-knacks!

And as the saying goes “the world is small” or “Jill always runs into people she knows” I ran into one of my student’s father from last year in the Istanbul airport on our way back to Athens!

Flynn, Jill, Lacey, Christy - in front of Blue Mosque

Despite the cold, wet, and windy weather we definitely used our time wisely and made the most of our time in Istanbul.

Clean Monday

Clean Monday is traditionally celebrated outdoors, and is characterized by an exodus of city folk to the villages of their parents and ancestors. Although it marks the start of a period of fasting, where meat, fish and dairy products are forbidden, these days Clean Monday often turns into an enormous feast of shellfish, tarama salad, octopus and squid, bean and vegetable dishes accompanied by ‘lagana’, a special flat bread that is eaten on this particular day. Throughout the country one can see people dancing traditional Greek dances, and children and adults alike flying kites.

Flying kites on this day is a relatively recent addition to the celebration of Clean Monday. While kites were considered a predominantly Asian custom, they are also shown on Greek clay vessels. They are thought to have been invented by a mathematician, Archytas of Taranto, Sicily in the 4th century BC. The flying of kites on this religious holiday represents a look to the skies, a mind that lifts itself over materialism to heaven and a soul that climbs ever higher, and is a very appropriate means to mark the beginning of Lent.  ~taken from a Newscomer Bulletin written by Maria Vertopoulos.

So what did I do today?  I met Miah and Dwain at Starbucks where we also bought a kite for Harper!  Then we went up to their landlords to have a feast!  There was so much food!  There were 5 adults and 2 teenage girls (whom hardly ate anything!) and Harper. 

There were 7 different fish - cuttlefish, fried calamari, octopus, a white fish, jumbo shrimp, tamata fish roe salad, a fish dish dwain made which comes from Peru, and fresh live clams which were actually moving so much they were falling off the plate!  Then the traditional bread for this day lasaga.  Radishes, a green salad, fried peppers, black-eyed peas, spinach pies, an artichoke dish, pickled onion bulbs, pickled stuffed eggplant and stuffed grapes leaves.  And my choices to wash it down was Ouzo or Resina.  I dislike both passionately.  I drank Ouzo.   And then we had the traditional hlava - made with tahini no sugar.  That is good but I was so full.

Then the dancing started.  Let's see if I can add a video.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

After lunch, Harper napped and dwain, miah and I played cards.  Then we took Harper and the kite out for its try.  We/dwain successfully flew the kite in the mud parking lot as he scurried around large puddles, trees and trash!

Singapore vs. Greece

SINGAPORE VS. GREECE - This is just what I have heard, experienced or read.

SINGAPORE


1. Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, elevators, theaters, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Tough fines for offenders.

2. Other civil fines include jaywalking, urinating in an elevator, littering, not flushing the toilet in a public bathroom and chewing gum!

3. Toilets – there are some western toilets and a lot of holes in the ground. Usually if a Singaporean uses a western toilet they stand on the seat and squat.

4. Alcohol: Alcohol is VERY expensive. A liter of alcohol is about $54 USD, wine is about $30 USD a bottle. You can bring it in with you but not from Malaysia.

5. Air-conditioning: It is a must! If you don’t run your AC your clothes and books will mold!

6. Climate: 30 degrees C (88 degrees F) at least EVERY DAY! Humidity 100%

7. Sun: it rises at 7am and sets at 7pm EVERY DAY

8. Singaporeans don’t know about personal space.

9. On the MRT (metro) it is silent – no one talks, using the cell phone is not allowed. It is very efficient. MRT never is on strike.

10. Water is absolutely fine to drink.

11. Medical facilities and doctors are top-notched. Medicines easily accessible.

12. Clothing: will hardly even want to pull on a pair of jeans! Loose cotton clothing.

13. Travel: Numerous travel opportunities and easy to leave Singapore by ferry or plane.

14. Dating: Many dating possibilities – organized activities for expats on weekends like Dragon Boat racing and Hashing.

15. Nightlife: supposedly a little more relaxed – outings are more like 8-9pm

16. Sports: Many clubs and organizations – tennis, golf, kayaking, hiking, bowling

17. Time Difference from EST – 13 hours ahead

18. Language: ENGLISH

GREECE
1. Smoking is not permitted in any of those places either but nothing is done about it and everyone smokes anyway!

2. No laws against these items and litter is everywhere.

3. No toilet paper allowed in the toilets.

4. Alcohol is very cheap.

5. AC: Good to have, but not necessary!

6. Climate – dry heat, 2 distinctive season

7. Does participate in Daylight Savings

8. Greeks don’t know about personal space.

9. Metro is not silent but it is efficient when they are running.  However, especially this year metro strikes often.

10. Water is absolutely fine to drink.

11. Medical facilities seem clean – have limited experience. Medicines cheap and easily accessible.

12: Clothing: Coats to rain boots to mittens to scarves to sandals and sundresses.

13. Travel: Not as easy as we thought to get out of Greece… but plenty of islands and gorgeous water to swim in.

14. Dating: Non existent here. (my opinion)

15. Nightlife: Clubbing beginning at midnight…
16. Sports – 3 cement tennis courts at school, limited time available

17. Time Difference from EST – 7 hours ahead

18: Language: Greek

Successful Job Fair.. I am moving to...

Japan flag

Holland flag



United Arab Emirates flag



Bahamas Flag

Day 3 of London: Saturday was my extremely long day of schmoozing, being aggressive to get an interview, more researching, interviewing, waiting, pacing, listening to school’s presentations and if I remembered I ate! As I went into the job fair last year I really just wanted to stay in Europe, however, I didn’t have the PYP training (a popular type of curriculum used in many international schools) and therefore I really didn’t have an opportunity to get a job let alone an interview! So with my year off this year, I took the PYP class online and had some great interviews at PYP and non-PYP schools.


I interviewed with the International School of the Sacred Heart of Japan, Dubai American Academy, the American School of The Hague, Lyford Cay International School in the Bahamas, and the Canadian International School of Singapore. All places I was willing to live and schools I had done research upon. At this time I have not heard back from the Sacred Heart School or the Hague.



Singapore flag

 I am excited to announce that I have accepted a job as an elementary school teacher at the Canadian International School of Singapore!!!! I am so happy – Singapore was top on my list to move to! The school is huge about 2000 students on 3 different campuses. However the campus I will be working on Toh Tuck Campus will be moving to a new campus on Halloween of this year as will another campus. The school’s website is www.cis.edu.sg .

At this time I was hired to teach grade 2, but the head of the school knows I will be able and willing to teach any grade preschool-grade 4. CIS is a PYP school and a truly international school with children from 70 different nations. Native children from Singapore are not allowed to attend the international schools so they are truly international schools. 

I am busily checking out the calendar schedule (Oct15-30 off; Dec17-Jan9 off; March31-April15 off) so start planning! And that is just the first year – this is a two year contract. Checking out the culture and history of Singapore. Oh so excited!!!!! And the official language is ENGLISH!

Happy New Year to you and me! - London Trip....

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!




Tower of London



Beheading...



Okay, yes I am a little late on the postings but it has been a busy 2011 of researching, preparing and  interviewing for international jobs for this coming school year. I attended the same job recruitment fair as I did last year in London, UK. However this year my friend from Maryland Chris joined me there for a mini vacation as well. We arrived on Thursday morning successfully met in the airport and travelled to downtown London together to our hotel; a great bed and breakfast in the Marble Arch area (Hart House Hotel). We basically stuck around that area on Thursday. Friday we went to the Tower of London which I had never been to before and spent a good 4 hours touring around there. It was a beautiful day, for London in January!

Saturday and Sunday – see Job Fair blog.

Fortunately for Chris, Sunday’s night dinner at Gordon Ramsey’s Claridges restaurant was one of celebration. It was a fantastic six course dinner.

On the London Eye

Monday, we headed down to the other side of the Thames River to ride the London Eye. Again we had pretty good weather and no lines. We could see so much of London from our high advantage points – 30 minutes was definitely enough time on it. Chris and I seemed to tackle the criss-crossing of paths of the tube. Though I did feel like we were little rats going from one platform to the next as the walkways/tunnels had low ceilings – it felt like a rat in a maze! Monday evening we went and saw Wicked. We had great seats in the balcony. I loved the costumes and the set and the story line (I had read the book but the theme of the story was nice to hear again. I just wasn’t too keen on the songs – there was only one song I recognized but all the others didn’t really have a catchy beat to them that you would want to tap your foot to or sing along.

I had a "Wicked" good time!

Tuesday morning took the taxi to the airport and we both had smooth, uneventful rides home! And we both went right off to work!

Christmas in Prague

Dec25 – light snow flurries fluttered around the air while we had our stockings in the hotel room – hung out – caught the train to Prague at 4.30 – arrived in Prague at 9pm – staying at a great hotel Metamorphis right behind the Church of Tyn!

Dec26 – after breakfast walked back to Old Town Square to get some money and happened upon at 11am to watch the Astronomical Clock do it’s thing on top of the hour! Then went on a bus tour of the city at 11.15. Went through Lesser Town, over a bridge parallel to Charles Bridge and up to the Prague Palace. Here we were dropped off to wonder for an hour – we saw the changing of the guards, St. Vitus’ Cathedral – which had spectacular stained glass windows and had a quick but yummy hot chocolate near Lobkowitz Palace – however not enough time to wander. Caught the tour bus and headed back to the other side of the Vlata River.

After the tour, we walked up in Josefov area – the Jewish area – with the Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetary. Then had lunch at Les Moules – a Belgian restaurant – had a great Trappe beer and garlic mussels.

Don Giovanni's opera



Went to see Don Giovanni’s opera with marionettes – the stage and the backdrops made the marionettes look life size until a puppeteer came out and looked like a giant! It was an interesting way to hear an 0pera and see a marionette puppet show.

Dec27 – walked to the other side of the river and then went up to the Prague Castle via a tram. Toured the Prague Castle and then Lobkowicz Palace – a great palace – where the ancestors of the Lobkowicz family still own it today. For 300 years, the Palace was passed down to each ruling Prince – in WWII the Nazis invaded it and confiscated the Palace along with the Lobkowicz family properteries. The items owned by the family were returned in 1945 – however they were all seized again three years later by the Communists. In 2002, the Lobkowicz family once again became the owners. As the narrator on the audio tourguide was a Lobkowicz person himself, you felt a real connection to his family and the long generations of his family tree. Very interesting.  We then attended a midday concert in the old chapel of this palace. There was a pianist, a violinist and a flutist – they played many popular classical music pieces for an hour.

Dad went home (due to feeling under the weather) and mom and I ventured back up to the St. George’s Basillica. Once leaving the church I ran smack into Erik Kunik and his son Atticus and Phaedra then caught up (they came to Greece the same time I did to teach at ACS)– unbelieveable I run into someone I know in Prague!

Mom and I then walk down the hill to Charles Bridge and then back home to a sleeping dad.

Dec28 - Walked down to Wencales Square and then back up to Charles Bridge, then did some last minute shopping.  For dinner we went to a traditional Czech restaurant - actually the restaurant was about 2 stories below ground with a medieval theme to it.  Since we hadn't had much of the Czech food we order a traditional combo platter filled with Czech food - it was so much food, but was delicious! 

It was great to see both cities again (it was 15 years ago and in the summer when I was last there).  It was even better to see them through the eyes of my parents as they had never been to either city.

It is unbelieveable how much history lies in both cities - and how connected they used to be.  There was definitely much more grandeur, wealth and power a couple of centuries ago.  We all noted on how Prague was more "Christmassy" than Vienna was even though 65% of Czech's are atheists. 

As we get older, I feel enriching ourselves with new cultures and experiences fulfills our lives much better than with unwanted/ unneeded materialist items.

on the Charles Bridge

Christmas in Vienna

Dec21 - Arrived in Vienna – found out Mom and Dad’s flight which was arriving in 3 hours was cancelled due to snow in Frankfurt decided to take a taxi to the hotel – Marriott – wise choice as they didn’t arrive for another 6 hours – however without luggage.

Had dinner at a traditional Viennese restaurant and then to bed.

Dec22- Went on the On and Off Tour Bus – first went on the ring around the center – seeing the outside of the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, City Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, - catching a few Christmas Markets – trying different acholic and non-alcoholic punches – they serve them in mugs – you pay for the drink and the mug and then if you return the mug you get money back! Then went to Schonbrumm Palace – they had the best Xmas Market. Toured 22 rooms in the palace – Franz Josef and Elizabeth lived – parents of Marie Antonette….that evening went to a Brahms Concert with a choir. Afterwards we went to the famous Sacher Hotel to have the famous Sacher-Torte – a chocolate cake. The Viennese definitely love their cakes!

Dec23 – Went to the Hofburg Palace to watch the famous Spanish Horses – Lippanzzer – Europe’s oldest breed of horses – most of them are white – actually they are born grey and turn white as they grow/mature. We watched for about an hour as about 7 riders did morning exercises with their horses – everything from walking backwards to sideways to having the horses practice picking up their feet in a ballet like fashion – it was like these horses were pointing their toes/hooves. Some horses looked like they were prancing and dancing. One rider had his horse stand on his back two legs only. The long rectangular room had two balconies in which watchers like us could view the practice ring (though it was not a ring it was a rectangle). The room was grandeur with carving ceilings and glass chandliers – unfortunately we were strictly forbidden to take photos.

That evening we went to a restaurant called Vincent’s in a neighborhood – unique food – about 7 courses over 3 hours.

Still no luggage. Dad dropped his camera and it doesn’t work anymore and mom’s boot sole came right off!


in front of Schobrumm's Palace

However on this day, Mom forced Dad to go to the airport and plea and beg to search and retrieve their luggage. Grudigling dad took a taxi to the airport and while finally being allowed to enter baggage area and search for their luggague he found the two pieces completely on two ends of the room which was filled with about 1000 suitcases! At the rate the baggage handlers were moving they would have never gotten their luggage back.


St. Stephen's Church

Dec.24 – We thought we didn’t have anything to do today but boy were we busy. We began the day by going back to the Hofburg Palace to visit the Treasuries Museum – this is where we saw many jewels and royal clothing worn by the Hapsbergs (Franz Josef and Elizabeth). We saw the largest emerald in the world about 2700 karats and beautiful crowns. We then went to another famous restaurant – famous for its cakes – called Demel’s – I had a lovely apple strudel. After a little rest we went to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for the 4.30 Vesper services in which the Cardinal Kristofer… was attending. Although it was all in German and no real Christmas hymns, it was great to spend Christmas Eve in such a splendor church. There were not enough seats for everyone so people just stood beside the pews!

After church we hurried down to Kurgberg Palace – a small palace in the Stadt Park in front of our hotel to attend a Strauss concert. It was one of those tourist attractions, however, it was good lively music with soprano and bartone singers, 2 ballet dancers and a small yet effective orchestra.

After the concert, we then again hurried up the street to an Italian restaurant called Danielli’s for some pizza.

Aside notes....– mandatory to check your coats at concerts and some restaurants, however, you also have to pay to do it – random!

Tons of people with dogs – dogs are welcome in stores and restaurants!