Istanbul: April 2006

Pigeons!!

Spring has arrived in Istanbul and so have pigeon eggs on one of our windowsills. It is fun to watch--the mother does the longer night shift and then the father comes in from about 10am until 4pm. The mother usually checks in to make sure the father isn't shirking his duties. I never knew pigeons could be so endearing.

Pigeon eggs on our windowsill...

Tunisia

Every three months I have to leave Turkey to renew my tourist visa (yes, I'm not legally in Turkey). Most go to Bulgaria and literally cross over the border and cross right back. I decided the beach sounded a little more appealing and chose a mini-vacation to Tunisia because I have a friend who is also doing a Fulbright there. Tunisia was very pleasant and a welcome escape from the craziness of Istanbul.

Here are a few pictures from the trip...

The Mediterranean is a something I could get used to being around

Volleyball in tunisia? It was quite an active vacation. I played tennis, volleyball, and a round of golf.

another incredible mosaic...odysseus tied up as not to be lured by the sirens...

beatiful mosaics at the Bardo museum. My friend Pauline (also a Fulbright) is studying "dining room" mosaics from the 2nd to 4th century AD.

Some of you may recall our trip to the wine expo last fall. We were a bit more official for the most recent expo having an official invitation. This time we decide Courtney would act as head researcher and I vice president of sales. Of course, we're still working for agate ventures. Turkish wine still has a way to go (at one point we both smelled vomit as a distinguishing characteristic of a white), but free wine is good wine, right?

Mount Erciyes

Skiing...let's just say I have a new appreciation for Steamboat. Look at the snow coverage in the background. I did ski in denim for the first time (a highlight) and had some sweet rear-entry nordica boots.