CULTURE  has countless meanings, depending on where you are standing at the moment.  Here, in my home in the U.S., I (love to) think of something ‘other’…international…different from ‘American Culture‘.

So, in photos I have chosen to show one of my favorite cities…Istanbul…with a culture all its own…different, even, from surrounding countries because of its unique geographical position straddling two continents…part of the city in Europe, part in Asia, across the Bosphorus.

Istanbul is a striking study of East meets West…centuries-old iconic structures and mosques…

View of 2 Mosques, Bosphorus and bridge

Small street – Coca Cola delivery vs. wooden pushcart

The Ark in one of the centuries old Synagogues

Bustling market

Abundance of nuts and sweets!

Man selling pastries from cart, on steps of Mosque

Students at lunch; traditional glass of tea delivery

Busy Istiklal Street (not even in the home of Turkish coffee can you get away from the ubiquitous Starbucks)

Morning mist on the Bosphorus; standing in Europe, looking at Asia

Women wearing hijab, leaving Mosque, carrying Esprit bag…East meets West

Turkish Businessmen stopping for shoeshine

schoolchildren in uniform with iPod buds in their ears…and my favorite moment that I was too slow to capture…a burka-clad young woman on a moped!

Extra-ordinary! Continue reading →