MERHABA 2 0 1 1

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Athena from the 2011 Pirelli Calendar,
created by Karl Lagerfeld,
Greco-Roman theme 'Mythology'

What makes it gorgeous is not only what I filled in by my own experience and packed into this year 2010, but what I could not. I think there is no any better expression in any language than merhaba. Merhaba is a reason that I have a lot to look forward TO. Merhaba is a reason to BE. Merhaba is hello. Happy New Year 2 0 1 1.

They Call Me Caterina...

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... this is my story.

In Italy, it was the common name given to the slaves from the Constantinople, today's Istanbul, Caterina.

Her son traveled to Turkey and Azerbaijan to discover his Caucasian roots. His findings as well as researches say his mother was hailed from... Azerbaijan and a Muslim. This very well-researched novel about the mother of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), slave mother Caterina da Vinci, is the best work I have ever read in a long time!



A very colorful story of her relationship with her son who was destined to change the world forever; from his growth, his creative and inventive side to how daring is why his mother felt she had to protect him so long.



Warning: Anyone not interested in historical romance, Turkey and Renaissance Florence will not enjoy this truly captivating book.



"All other cities are doomed, but I imagine that as long as people exist, Constantinople will exist."
~Petrus Gyllius
French scientist,
(Albi, 1490 - Rome, 1555)

Lady Kokkino

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Love them, hate them, you cannot help but see them!



If you ask me, I do not like seeing them everywhere in Istanbul. The photos that including them are kind of not my liking. Maybe the ugly shots that cast a shadow in Istanbul's beauty, however it is the fact of Istanbul life:



Of late, they are on the roads. Like any city in the world, main road flower-shops in down town can be little expensive. We know, things are cheaper if they sell. Shot the gypsies (above) on the Bağdat Avenue when I went for shopping this past weekend. Means red in greek language, kokkino is very popular New Year flower now, that they are hurrying up to sell them.

Not selling only flowers, they can also pick old furniture and old iron stuff. They tell your fortune reading up your coffee cup. They sell lottery tickets. They are interesting musicians who sing and play their accordion in the streets, so they are always hopeful to collect some money if people throw them a few cents from their balcony.

I would like to ask, if we should believe in bloggers?

Since I started the writing work on this community I became aware of one fact, important. Bloggers are chasing the "beautiful things" and sharing the only "best photos" of their town/city. Why is it so?

For example, is Rome a beautiful city? Have been to many times there. Of course Rome is not a beautiful city! Rome is not about fountains, squares, cuisine but also life and public fact sheet! Who shows us those sad Rome/Italy photos in a blog? Nobody. I do not want to talk about the southern Italy, Calabria region. How I was very disappointed when comparing north and southern parts of the same country. What about Paris, Wa DC, NYC, Tokyo, London? I saw the not so good parts of those world cities. Marrakesh in Morocco? I saw really poor and horrible photos of Morocco that made me said "oh my God!". If you read a Marrakesh photoblog, she tells it as a heaven on Earth. Who believes?

Another example. What about Turin in Italy? When I read a Turin daily photo blog that is being managed by Pietro, his blog here, there is no any bad photo of Turin life. All the photos are to say to the visitor as if Turin is a wonderland.

My one wish for bloggers is to be honest and, if not that, to be transparent. Share all the beauty and ugliness of your living zone. Because the world is not a fantasyland. Blogosphere should not turn to be a fantasyland under your pen.

Megakent

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Istanbul is a city of three:


S E A

Underground Basilica Cistern

Ferry Mooring Rope (cool vintage green and texture!)

Galata Tower

Arnavutköy Ferry Pier (the Bosphorus)

Maiden's Tower (the Bosphorus)

P E O P L E

Traditional Mosaic Lamps

Handpainted Ceramic Plates

Decorative Handpainted Ceramic Hanging Balls

Traditional Slippers

T I M E

Baroque-style Historical Buildings in Nişantaşı

Non siete per caso uno di quelli che abbiamo tentato senza riuscirvi di trasformare in un cittadino di Istanbul?

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