These are the Days of My Life - Istanbul, Turkey (old post)

I have not posted my blog in months.  Maybe I am just having too much FUN and exhausted when I get home at night.  I chatted with my Dutch roommate last night and we shared how aside from an Earthquake, Typhoon, Cyclone, and a few grey clouds we have had a pretty positive weather experience during our travels.  Mother Nature is at work during the night and presents a beautiful day to enjoy.  Funny how at home that when She rains on the weekend She can spoil our good time.  I'm ready for a soaker so I can sleep late and get caught up on my blog...Always told myself that I was not going to be a slave to the computer and so far it has been a perfect travel companion.  It is always there when I need it and it never complains about my odd hours of usage...Oh that doesn't sound good in writing...but you know what I mean.
Oh the fun I have had in Istanbul.  I started a week ago just managing to get to my Hostel by myself traversing on the subway with a change to the city tram and hiking it thru the Blue Mosque area to find my Hostel right where they said it would be.  Amazing as the directions were about as vague as take the blue line to the end transfer to the tram for 5 stops and walk straight and the Hostel will be 500 meters you can't miss it?!?!?!  Yeah right.   What they fail to tell you is how to transfer to the tram which is 2 blocks over, that the cost is 2TL, how easy it is to buy the token and that the Hostel is a little off the beaten track once you pass by not thru the park and just down from the Four Season's Hotel.  Landmarks people...give me landmarks.  Anyway I am in a 21 person dormitory which has been fantastic as there have only been at most until tonight only 12-15 weary travelers.  Only 2 nights did we have to put up with the snorer...and one of the nights it was a girl not the guys...LOL  As I have repeatedly said living in a dorm is reminiscent of college dorm living days however then it was just one or two strangers to a suite.  My life has been bunking with international strangers of which language barriers has been overcome, personal hygiene, nighttime noises and the occasional early departure (my bunk mate left at 4:30am to catch a train) and he felt the need to turn on the lights and pack noisily for 30 minutes before he left.  My roommates have not all been like this one but there have been a few.  Most are just really nice guys and gals out to explore the world, have some fun on their vacations and have a cheap place to lay their heads at night after a long full day of sightseeing/exploring.

Istanbul is like so many of the other countries that I have visited in the last 9 1/2 months...it is a plethora of sights, easy to get around (walking), the tram is easy too but I have always preferred the wandering so as not to miss anything and there has barely been anything that I have missed.  I love the people as they are all so friendly and eager truly to help with directions, recommendations and of course to sell you stuff from their shops.  As I am sharing my pics on Facebook, I will just summarize the locations that I have visited and you can view the pics that I have uploaded separately.

Taksim Square is about a mile + of pedestrian walkway filled with high end shopping, restaurants, bars and people watching.  It is definitely worth a days visit and if you can stretch the people watching, dining and a few stops for tea into the evening the whole place changes from family fun into the youth night out.  It was amazing good time.  During the day take advantage of the street performances, singers, guitarist and while I promised not to join any political protest there was a rather large rally for the opposing party that drew quite a crowd (of armed military police with uzi's)...Yikes.  Why do foreign countries seem to arm their military police with such weapons...Oh wait we have the same I just don't seem to be in the are of riots so maybe out of sight out of mind???  Anyway it was a spectacle to be in the midst of and fortunately it did not get out of hand, although I have video of the cheering and anti-government chanting.  So sorry i just had to stay and watch as it was for me....entertainment.  I also video taped a guy in an alley bar sitting in a doorway playing the guitar and singing to well..his 2 friends that were taking pic of him from about 2 inches away and Me.  It was a great special way to spend about 20 minutes being entertained. The walk from my hostel was about 30 minutes of meandering as I just followed the tram rail line all the way across the Bosphorous river where it is a bit of an entertainment paradise as on my side is where all the river boats take their passengers to the alternate destinations further up the river.  There are large mosques dotting the skyline and with their intricately decorated interiors there can be visual overload of the senses.  Alas it is all amazing to see and join the throng of others enjoying the amazing sites.

Night time with the bridge all lit up.  this is the main passenger bridge from the European side to the Asian side of  Turkey.

Taksim Square monument all lit up.  This was a big handout as the metro dropped here for the evening of fun and partying

Festive fountain

Taksim Rd. in full night time glory... P A R T Y ! 

Street entertainer are every few feet sometime battling for the airwaves of their competing neighbor.

Turkish star or is she?

Previously there have been horses in New Zealand, cows in Thailand and now decorated stars.

Hmmm....????

Palace at night from the main bridge on my walk home from Taksim Square.

Fishermen in the evening.

These are the Days of My Life - Venice Italy

Today is Tuesday and I have stayed in bed all day...jealous?  Don't be as it is cold and raining here today and decided that it was a great day to catch up on sleep and well just cuddle under the down comforter with a book.  It is amazing as i travel the number of interesting but sometimes odd literature that is left behind in the places that I have stayed.  I am currently reading "When God was a Rabbit".  Sometimes my English versions are limited but fun to delve into in far away lands.  I have read the "The Sinstine Secrets", several mysteries...they seem to be popular and a few odd left overs like the Japanese/Chinese conflict and the Fall of Apartheid.  I have been open to all and am still amazing myself thru my interest in all these historical happenings that I have lived thru but failed to educate myself about.  There is so much information out there that I have been too busy to enjoy or better educate myself about at the time.  I know you are wondering why I take the time to read while on this exciting adventure around the world and the answer is simple...no matter where you are no matter what you do, no matter how busy your schedule is you have to find a balance.  Sometimes a good book or even a book that I have never heard of turns up and perks my interest.  I have to say I am/became an avid reader before I left on this trip over the last few years and it has centered me on what is important and what I used to think was important.  Sometimes setting aside all the wonderment that is our world and just having me time rejuvenates me.  The books content isn't as important as the time I have committed to myself to just relax/unwind and enjoy the moment.  I remember the stares I have received from harried travelers as they dash out the door or even more from the tour scurrying by as I sit peacefully on a bench, in the grass, on a step (Spanish) and am engrossed in a simple means of entertainment...reading.  I just know they think I have lost my mind let alone precious touring moments to read a book but for me it is amazing to look up and just be able to watch my surroundings of the hustle and bustle without having to be a part of it...even if for a few minute/hours or in some cases like today all day just to relax, nap and enjoy.  I see alot of fb posts about a rainy days are perfect for snuggling up with a good book so why would it be strange to do the same while traveling.  Some of my most memorable days have been at the beach or pool or in the park on a blanket with a sandwich lunch and a bottle of water and just enjoying the day...no worries, be happy!

I hope each of you take the time to slow down and enjoy what makes you happy, if not reading then walking, biking, relax listening to music, participating in a hobby/craft, snuggling with a loved one, no intentions just for the happiness that it brings to your life.  Tomorrow will always come, I'm a glass half full kinda guy which will allow me to catch up, make progress, and accomplish that which I am required with a relaxed/refreshed perspective knowing that I took time for myself.  Selfish...maybe, but rewarding...always!

As I head into the cooler Fall/Winter months I am beginning to review where to next on my travels and why.  I have heard great things about the hike thru Cinque Terre but challenged deciding if the weather will facilitate a hiking experience.  I guess i will be in the hands of Mother Nature...as it should be.  I  have also decided that I will add Amsterdam to my final leg from Morocco and stay a week prior to my last stop in London prior to heading back to the home land.  As this amazing year is winding down...what am I saying... I still have 2 months of enjoyment...anyway; I am taking more time to settle for only the best of experiences and not just the most.  I hope each of you join me in that way of life that the hustle and bustle of commitments and appearances is not clouded by the sheer enjoyment of being.  Enjoy!

Venetians are really big on costumes...maybe some Halloween costume ideas?

Bling

Fancy animal masks...and one large cock/rooster...shame on me.

If you can pull it off go for it....I know some of you who can....LOL

B L I N G.....B L I N G

Feeding the pigeons in St Mark's Square.  Amazing what a few bread crumbs will attract.....thousands of pigeons swarm all over you from head, shoulders and arms to get at the bread crumbs in your hand.....Cool!

Pigeon shitting in my hand in St. Mark's Square.....NOT Cool!

Puppy not to sure of all the pigeons.

Singing Gondolier....kinda Hot!

Fiorucci...now that's Italian.

Fun shot with the Canale Della Guidecca behind and the Lido Island across the canal.   

These are the Days of My Life - Florence, Italy

Here are some of the additional pics from the music/light and acrobatic show in the piazza.  What a great event to stroll upon.  I have great video as well and will eventually get around to sharing.  Enjoy.  The acrobatics repelled from the window at the very top of the bell tower above the clock.  The crowd went wild.  

Teramisu and Chocolate Gellato...YUM

Chalk artists daily pick one of the classic artworks and freehand  recreate them  from photos in chalk..  the street sweeper    washes away the days craft to leave a clean slate for the next days artist to create his/her masterpiece.  These are amazing and draw (pun intended) a huge crowd to watch the creation right before their very eyes.

These are the Day of My Life - Rome Italy

I don't know how some traveler so it...moving every other day from place to place.  i guess that is what the vacation or allotted break allows. But some are moving so fast that they barely have time to drink in the real essence of any of the places that they have alighted. I had 4 roommates in Rome who were doing a whirlwind 3 week school break and seeing 5 countries.  Can you really see 5 countries in 3 weeks?  i must have done something wrong?!?!  I feel that there are so many things that I have missed or that I still have to do.  As I have traveled over the last 10 months i continue to hear of places that are sooo cool that i can't wait to schedule my nest trip(s) so i can spend an equal amount of time in all the places that are either a stones throw from where I've been or on a whole new trajectory off the beaten path so that I can uncover the wonderment that is our wonderful world.  Yeah, I have a list but i won't bore you with it now.  I gotta save something for later as there are only so many hours in the day and so many days in My year.  I am thrilled to be savoring My experience and only more excited to know and have uncovered so many other exciting places that I can explore.

My final day in Florence was spent at the Piazza Pitti museum which was right across the street from my Hostel.  I got up early as I knew there was quite a Palace and gardens to explore.  I was not disappointed.  In the evening i went out form my prerequisite gelatto and wandered into a piazza where there was a performance of some sort (in Italian) with an awesome light show that was shown on the side of one of the buildings along with a group who spoke words with a conductor and music but not sung.  Then the light show was a countdown of the centuries in roman numerals and this amazing lights/graphics of demons climbing the side of the building, the facade of the building crumbling and then as if i wasn't impressed enough they had these acrobatic repellers from the top of the spire windows repel and do a swinging dance while on the side of the building...to top it off there was a group of young adults do a performance of wait for it...Michael Jackson's "Thriller".  The music was so loud that my IPhone volume was on the lowest setting and it came in loud and clear.  It was a wonderful show for eating gelatto in the freezing cold.  My hands got numb and didn't thaw until i got back to my room and the tingling of defrosting was almost painful.  Not sure of what the temp was but the piazza was open and the wind was whipping thru like cray but there was such a large group of people that i didn't notice my numb fingers until I got home....BRRRRRRRRRR!

And yes there was a peaceful demonstration in the afternoon in front of my hostel in the Piazzo Pitti but it was a small group and they were playing instruments and singing so the crowd was lively and festive.  Nothing like the mob in Rome.

 I left this morning via train to Venice and was pleasantly surprised at how nice the 2nd class accommodations were for the 2 hour train ride.  I don't know why I expected a wooden bench seat but it was anything but and although the train does spend a bit of time in underground tunnels the landscape at this time of year is stunningly gorgeous. The colors of Fall.  my train stopped in Bologna, and 2 other small cities before arriving at the Maestra station.  I was able to locate my new home (hostel) without too much trouble.  The buses were closed today as there was a local marathon that had alot of the streets shut down.    Why when my hostel directions say go forward/onward does the one street that is mine have to be closed off for a marathon...don't they know I get lost easily?  Anyway the nice looking police captain assisted me and my luggage over the barricade and on my way.  I think he realized that although I did look rather striking with my backpack that i was not going to complete the marathon in my current get up.  I am staying outside of Venice proper as the lodging rates for in the city were way over the top.  As I plan to stay a week I decided that the 10 minute bus trip into the city daily was a more economical option so that I could enjoy more gellato...yum!

Preview to the concert/light show.

Just a practice shot for tomorrow night.

the old bridge is home to all the gold/silver/jewelry stores that lock up tight at night.

My ancient elevator that took me many time to the 5th floor.  Thanks, I will miss you

View of the city of Florence, Italy

My home away from home in Florence Italy.  2nd brown door from the left.  I had the tastiest bistro downstairs that had the best chocolate crousants and cuppachino's

Hercules....

Looking out of the front door of the Pillazzo Pitti.   My what a big door you have...

City view from the gardens.

If you thought the palace was large the gardens go on for ever.  Beautifully landscaped with statuary in every nook and cranny.

A little piece of paradise.

Ok so there is a bench on the left of this large piece of stonework where a girl is sitting and to compare to the size of this facial mask you can't even see her.

Water fountain that comes complete with thirsty souls whose thirst will never be quenched.

You decide what it is......

The correct answer is the winged Pegasus...

Beautiful walkways to stroll and sneak a kiss...

Fall in is the air and the trees are turning...magnificent.

Medici Grotto...

Very bizarre water fountain where the dripping water has created  a moss covered; almost as if he is regurgitating this mass of moss... 

Fall colors are everywhere and with the cool weather a great day to enjoy the sunlight in the gardens.

PACE = Peace in the rainbow flag.