From Rome to Constantinople (that's Istanbul to you)

I wish I had been able to spend more than 4 beautiful days in Turkey. Since that was the time I had, I opted to spend them all in Istanbul. It's gorgeous and bustling and touristy and fabulous. Nicky met me there and we spent our time eating tasty dinners made up of dipping things and tangy cheeses and fruits and breads and wine after glass of Divine wine. The old town is home to two beautiful, and rather famous mosques, the new town is urban and modern and crowded, and the shopping is brilliant all over the place. I acquired a love for Turkish delight (Nicky might have as well....the stuff was good) and gooey pastry of all sorts. We took a river cruise that highlighted the neat geography of Istanbul and the views were gorgeous. Like many places in Europe, Turkey is home to a large population of homeless cats. Unlike many other places, these cats appeared well. Well fed, well groomed and they were everywhere in abundance. Nic and I decided to do our part and fed a crew of kitties a hot dog we bought from a kiosk in a park right across from the Blue Mosque in the old town. They were a little scary in their pursuit of our meat morsels, but it was an experience none the less. I can't imagine feeding stray cats in a park in London or even Minneapolis. Probably because there are few if any stray cat crews in London or Minneapolis, but even so, it felt neat and unique and just not the sort of thing two practical girls would be compelled to do except during a long weekend holiday in the mysterious, beautiful, bustling city of Istanbul.

Here we have the old town, a window display that made me salivate, and Nic with her brood of feline wonders.

The cats are everywhere. Indoors as frequently as outside.

I had to take this photo, as it would appear that police officers double up while patrolling around town on their trusty motorbike.
Talk about making the most of your resources!

The new town looks like this from the river. It's really beautiful and interesting to soak up.

The spice market where I purchased my tasty treat of Turkish delight.

And then came my goodbye for now trip to Italy

Just look at the feet on this very regular (for Italy) street lamp in this very regular park just down the street from my Hostel in Florence.

A bridge built for kings and the most fashionable police in the world. They have got to be. And the walk! You should have seen these two glide down the street.

While I have no Italian heritage that I am aware of, the country is a place that feels like somewhere I could live someday if time and circumstances were right. I love the look of the place, the culture, the incredible incorporation of art in life and art in cities and just art everywhere, the people and heaven help me, the food. During my life in London, I weekended in Italy on 3 different occasions. On my 4th visit, pointedly to say goodbye for now, I started in Florence and then trained down to Rome. Rome. Rome. A city like no other. A mind blowing, sensory overload, food indulgent, cat populated city with so much history it hardly feels historic at all. Rome. Dang. What is America's equivalent to Rome? We need one. I need one. What is it?

It was pouring down rain, freezing cold, and I had a cold but did that stop me from making my way to the Trevi Fountain to ensure my return to Rome? No! I will go back.

Since October 29th

I cannot believe that I left my job with Bromley on October 29th 2008 and since then (I write this on January 27th 2009) I have been traveling and saying goodbyes and saying hellos and reconnecting with fair Minneapolis. The last 3 months have been a seriously beautiful dream come true for me filled with the joy of freedom and new experience as well as the feelings of loss and longing that comes with the territory of leaving a place one has lived from 3+ years. The whole thing has been momentus and I urge everyone who can to save and scrimp and take some time away from the rat race (1 month, 2 months, 6 months - next time I'm shooting for a year!) to experience, enjoy, consider and plan for the next thing. I feel amazing. Of course, I could not be doing this without the support of my sister, who is letting me act as her domestic in return for rent. That allows something that would otherwise be 2 months of travel to extend to 4 months, two of travel and two of trying to make something of myself in a new and exciting way.

To recap: On October 29th I left for Scotland, sweet Scotland. Already I long for Scotland. It was important for me to revisit the land of my ancestors and say my goodbyes. Edinburgh gave me men in kilts, beautiful views, walking paths slick just after a rain and mysterious buildings that inspire billion dollar fairy tales. My last night in Edinburgh, I happened upon a busy pub on the high street that I hadn't gone into the first time I visited the city. I had the best hot toddie of my life in that joint. It was the whiskey no doubt, but they also made it with clove stuck orange. Beautiful. I had two.

Next stop, Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. I loved this little town. It was quaint but bustling. I ate Cullen Skink, I bought some tartan, although not the pattern of my family clan, I wandered the river walk at dusk and little streets that lead me to a breathtaking view in the early morning light. I visited Loch Ness while I was in the area and hoped against hope that Nessie would show up for me (she didn't!?), I really just had the best time. Inverness is a definite recommend to those who are Scotland bound.

I went back through Edinburgh on my way home to London, and then on to York, where I spent the day shopping, drinking tea and eating scones, admiring the architecture and outside art, and just loving up the UK and feeling thankful that I got to live three years of my life there.