A fairly satisfying sort of day today as we did a fair number of errands. First, we met our old estate agent at the new flat to look for electricity and water bills so they could be transferred over to us. We dutifully started by having a cup of Turkish cay each at the tea […]
Three mosque day
It was a working day for me, though not for the GF, but when he said he was planning a tour of the mosques of Fatih, I of course joined him. So we took the metro to near the Istanbul University with its startling metro station, and went first to the Kalendarhane mosque. This is […]
Indeed
From Metafilter, on the American Dream.
The landed gentry
This morning I woke early, as we were moving flat. Away from the mosquitos, the dripping fridge, the foetid kitchen sink, the oddly placed shower. Off to Galata, to the same building we lived in when we first arrived in Istanbul, but a lower floor. Also, no hot water, for there was none this morning […]
Syria town
After the drama of yesterday, today we decided on a quiet day’s exploration. So we took the tram to the other side of the Golden Horn, past Aksaray, to areas new. This is a very Syrian part of town and I’d heard of a fine Syrian restaurant there; from there it was only about 20 […]
Foiled
This morning, we were told, the appointment would be arranged for the afternoon. We would have to go to the bank to arrange payment, pay the taxes and turn up at the appropriate government office, hand over the payment, attest that we did indeed intend to buy this specific property at this specific price, sign […]
Craving unsatisfied
This morning I woke up craving desi food and did some diligent research to find a place in Fatih, across the Golden Horn: a small Indian place run by an Indian couple. A bit of a dhaba, so less likely to water food down to Turkish tastes. So we took the tram over to a […]
Boaters’ bazaar
The agent entrusted us with the key to the flat, though we are not yet its owners, so we took the Trial to see it. It was really gratifying: she really liked it, and could see the potential in it. A bit of a relief to have someone outside my and the GF’s head see […]
The trial
Another relative has arrived, this one staying with us on her way to Lahore. It is a relative I am fond of, but she is undoubtedly a bit of a trial and I have to remember each time I see her that one doesn’t need to engage with the stream of consciousness. She is a […]
Connecting paths
I finished up my work this morning and by that time the GF was awake and had finished his rather long morning rituals, so we left, planning to go to the farmer’s market. We hadn’t made it more than a few steps, though before we decided not to bother: the kitchen in this flat is […]