Istanbul

A overlong morning touring some properties for sale in Istanbul - I do sometimes think about moving back here - but I can't afford the areas where I'd most like to live (of course!).  The photo is the view from one of the apartments I viewed and is a good  visual comment on much of Istanbul. Overcrowded and rundown - but definitely being gentrified by developments such as the two brand new apartment buildings that I looked at. 

By 14.00 I was back on school campus and surprised my dear, dear friends and excolleagues in the music department. We three drank tea and had a lively catch up chat - other people walked by and it was a frequent greeting from those I haven't seen for so long. Quite emotional at times. After school, I met with Caitlin and we had an hour at her place before walking down the hill for an evening in Arnavutkoy with Sean and Marshal at Dantes bar, a favourite haunt.  Delicious food and an excess of imbibing may have featured during the six hours that we sat, talked, laughed... so good to be back.