News came from Kathmandu, the Seeker died. It had not seemed likely, when I met her, that she would live on for two more years, but then it also didn’t seem likely that she would ever die, having clung to life with fingers tightened into claws.
Break out
We broke out and went for a short excursion despite the weekend lockdown. It was the first day of any sun at all, so our resolve to stand in solidarity with the Turkish fizzled away. When we stepped outside, well, it was a rather crowded lockdown on the streets as there were dozens of people […]
Roundtable conference
We had a roundtable conference this afternoon, with the contractor, his architect daughter and our local friend. It was a very good meeting: much was clarified and agreed and we now know what the next steps are likely to be. There is one neighbour who is likely to cause trouble, even though we have all […]
Dawn of a new age
This evening a new age dawned, somewhat belatedly for us, as the rest of the world has been on the food delivery wagon for a good long while, even before the pandemic. I successfully ordered profiteroles from my favourite cake shop, and the GF ordered dinner from one of the nicest places in Cihangir. Remarkable […]
Brief excursion
There was only enough food in the flat for one so I left it for the GF and went out for a short stroll and to bring myself back some lunch. I found a new street in Galata, one running parallel to Papadopoulous where the GF and I once viewed a very crumbling flat in […]
Small victories
A few small achievements on Monday to make up for the stagnant weekend. The first was that I finally managed to call the helpline for our visas to learn that they were still being processed, and that was why we had not heard back. A relief, as it was definitely keeping me up at night. […]
Time vortex
Weekend lockdowns put me in a sort of time vortex, I have no idea when it is. This weekend was particularly grim as I had a great deal of work including a meeting, and the sky was dark and grey so there is almost no light in our flat; what there is gets sucked up […]
Morning shock
This morning I was woken by a message from a sibling asking if I had submitted my taxes as the deadline is tonight. This, of course, nearly caused my heart to burst in terror, as taxes are truly something I do not understand and I have to file in multiple countries. Luckily, I got confirmation […]
Quest for a pepper grinder
Yesterday was Monday I’m told, but I feel quite out of time, as though the week has been going on for a very long time. It turns out taking my weekend on Friday didn’t actually feel much like the weekeend, or maybe it did and in that case it should be Friday tomorrow, but it […]
Day the first
This lockdown business is not suiting me at all. That said, it doesn’t seem to be suiting anyone else either. This morning I woke and saw a ghostly moving figure outside on one of the picturesque streets leading towards the Galata Tower. There I saw a young woman in a flowing white dress posing for […]