Monthly Archives: June 2011

Saw Romeo and Juliet at the Budapest Opera House last night. The ballet was so rich and textured in emotion, so brilliant in composition and visual effect that no little girl should be allowed to see it as she will … Continue reading →

Today we were involved in international incident on the tram from our hotel into downtown Sophia. A ticket inspector got on the tram and wanted Patty and I to pay a 10 lev fine for not punching (composting) our tickets … Continue reading →

For any fan of Agatha Christie the chance to ride on the ‘Orient Express’ is one of those fanciful daydreams you can’t help but have the second you finish the last page of Murder on the Orient Express. Well that … Continue reading →

          The bone yards of many empires can be found on the streets of Istanbul, of Izmir, of Bodrum, of everywhere you go. Byzantine, Roman, Ottoman. Three thousand years of history stacked in back lots and built into … Continue reading →

Many minareted Istanbul is like an ancient seed upon whose shores the history of our species is writ.  

I found out where all the tourists in Turkey are, they’re at Ephesus.  The entrance to the site is like a genteel carnival with restaurants, genuine fake watches and a great avenue of magnificent pine trees under which swirl thousands … Continue reading →

I  like tourists.  I find them to be polite and enquiring in the best possible way.  Many on the Aegean coast of Turkey come just for the sun, sand and the chance to unwind from the stresses of ‘normal’ life.  … Continue reading →

I met some tin boys in the square and asked if I could play? They said ‘yes’ and so we did, but when I stood to go, they would not come to run and jump as my grandson does. We’re … Continue reading →