Gypsy seller

In Istanbul the Gypsy community have been around since the Ottoman Empire.  Many still perform traditional occupations such as this lady selling flowers by the roadside.

What lies beneath

This is a photo taken inside the Basillica Cistern in the historical village of Sultanahmet.  Its the largest of several hundered cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul and its pretty amazing to visit.  It was built in the 6th century!  Before then a Basillica stood in its place, built in the 3rd century and that is where it gets its name from.  The feeling is eery but has the potential to take you right back in time.  Highly recommended.

Museum musing

A day out at the Museum is a great way to travel in your own city.  This young woman is wearing the perfect lesiurely day dress and in a style thats complements her well. 

Late night shopping

Istanbul is an alive city, it cant be denied at anytime, but as the sun stays up longer and longer during the summer so do the people! This is the thriving villiage of Ortakoy at 9.30pm.  The carnival feeling lasts way into the wee hours and all mainly without alcohol - just lots of baked potatoes, sweet waffles and lots of ice tea.

Amongst the birds

Sorry for my absence!  Here is a great example of toughening up a flowy skirt - having a leopard print on flowing mesh and matching it with a skull t-shirt.  Her rucksack is flung over her shoulder and shes rocking my favorite hair colour. 

Just taking a stroll, walking the dog..

People on the streets over here have the cleanest shoes... there is a time honored tradition of having your shoes shined here by local shiners with fabulous and elaborate shoe shining equipment. (If your tourist watch out of the scamers!)

Easy layering