Bestest Cat in the World

Seriously....

This is the best cat in the world....

Oliver just chills out with me all day long...




and then we nap!

Our days are peaceful when we put Miss Peabody outside.

She likes it there... we think?

Blessings to those hanging out in the recliner,

Kristie

Meteora, Greece

Greece,

Prepare to be amazed.... we sure were..

Metéora or in Greek: Μετέωρα means "suspended rocks", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above".

Meteroa is one of the largest and most important complexes of monasteries in Greece. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars. Of these six, five are inhabited by men, one by women. Each monastery has fewer than 10 inhabitants. The monasteries are now amongst the most popular tourist sites in the world and now serve primarily as museums.

Access to the monasteries was originally (and deliberately) difficult, requiring either long ladders lashed together or large nets used to haul up both goods and people.

Steps were cut into the rock, making the complex accessible via a bridge from the nearby plateau. During World War II the site was bombed and many art treasures were stolen.

Until the 17th century, the primary means of conveying goods and people from these eyries was by means of baskets and ropes.

Here I am....scarred to death of heights!

Here are our travel mates.... Two Chaplains and a JAG...(seems like the start of a very good joke!)

Did I mention I am afraid of heights?

And no trip is complete until you are bombarded by the tourist shopkeepers!

Blessings to those enjoying the altitude,

Kristie

Bare with Me!!

Greetings,

I am so so so so

very behind on my posts.....

thank you for your patience with my tardy posting.

(You should see how far behind I am on my school work!)

Thanks again,
Kristie

Turkish Hamam Bath Experience

Greetings,


This post has taken a long time to write and post... maybe because I am still a bit traumatized from the whole experience.


First let me just explain the hamam...


The Hamam is the Middle Eastern variant of a steam bath, which can be categorized as a wet relative of the sauna.

In Western Europe, the Turkish bath as a method of cleansing the body and relaxation was particularly popular during the Victorian era. The process involved in taking a Turkish bath is similar to that of a sauna, but is more closely related to the ancient Roman bathing practices.

A person taking a Turkish bath first relaxes in a room (known as the warm room) that is heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air allowing the bather to perspire freely.

Bathers may then move to an even hotter room (known as the hot room) before splashing themselves with cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to the cooling-room for a period of relaxation.

The Turkish public bath took on an important role. It was not merely a place where believers could fulfill the Islamic precept of cleanliness. It was a place in which to mingle, socialize and gossip. Women would proceed from their harem to the hamam with great ceremony, accompanied by servants heavily-laden with delicacies to tide the ladies over the hours they would spend lounging in the steam.

The young women used this opportunity to show off their ornately embroidered towels and ivory inlaid slippers, not to mention their youthful figures, while older women would spot potential wives for their sons. Men would discuss the latest court scandal or talk business and politics. Contrary to popular ideas, hamams have always been either permanently designated for one of the sexes, or have a separate schedule for men and women.

**PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY**... will need it to further the explanation!

There are five stages to a traditional hammam experience. First the body is "seasoned" with heat as you lie down on the octagonal marble slab. Then the tellak and helpers vigorously massage the body. This is a stretching and sometimes painful experience. Don't worry, though, they know what they are doing and the steam gives an elasticity to muscles which makes the massage so deep. The third stage is a peeling off of the outer layer of skin known as tozu and involves depilation of the armpit hair. This is done in private by a bather in a solitary nook of the hammam known as a halvet. Razor blades or depilation powder are available at the hammam for this phase, although it is by no means obligatory for a visitor. The fourth stage is a thorough soaping and the fifth a relaxation where you sit very still, putting yourself back together after a marathon hygiene session.

OKAY... now for the Hansen episode in a Turkish Bath... there is ALWAYS a story with anything Harry and I do!?! Why, I have no clue?

So who does not go to Turkey and experience the infamous Turkish Baths? Those of you who know me... I AM a bath person. I love them. I soak for hours reading a book by candle light in my bath.

A Turkish bath..... is nothing like your bath at home!

I would go into great detail... but I have tried to suppress the details at great length. Just a For your Information.... before you go to Turkey.... please email me privately so I can discuss:

1. the differences between normal US conservative Southern ladies and European women

2. how picture can be misleading to a conservative white girl from the South

3. when given a garment of clothing such as this red frock (picture below) you should ask further questions regardless of the language barrier... use your hands and gestures to get your question across...

Traditionally, a whole range of paraphernalia is associated with the hamam. The pestamal, a colourful, checked cloth which is wrapped around the waist by men is still in use. Takunyalar, or wooden clogs, often inlaid or carved, have generally been replaced by plastic flip-flops. Soap, shampoo and other toiletries were carried in hand crafted copper or even gold plated tarak kutusu, literally comb boxes, and a copper tas was used to pour water over the bather.

4. Find out the occupancy of your bathing area BEFORE you enter

5. Understand the definitions of the 5 stages of Turkish hamams... like "seasoned body" and "vigorously massage" and "peeling off of the outer layer of skin" means in layman terms

6. Carefully read all disclosures

7. Understand that although it sounds cool to get a Turkish bath... it is NOT cool for another person to wash a grown adult!

Although it looks comfortable.... it is a very uncomfortable situation...

Again, please email me with further detailed information regarding a Turkish hamam if you are thinking of venturing that way!

Blessings,
Kristie

Hippodrome of death

Greetings,

Today.... Harry almost killed us... again.

It started with his NEED to see the Hippodrome. Not sure if he even knew the Hippodrome existed until we arrived in Istanbul, but he was adimit that we did not leave until he laid eyes upon it.

Hippodrome was built in 203 A.D. The hippodrome was a stadium which served as a meeting place for the politicians, for chariot races, wrestling, boxing, and other athletic activities that took place. The arena was over 400 meters long and 120 meters wide, In the fourth century the spectator capacity was increased to 100,000.

The Hippodrome is all but destroyed except for a few monuments... so that's what we set off to see.
Obelisk of Theodosius (The Egyptian obelisk) The Obelisk, brought to Istanbul by Emperor Theodosius I was made of pink granite and its height is 17 metres. Originally, the obelısk was 27 meters in height ,10 meters hıgher than it ıs today and weıghed 800 tons.It is unknown when and how the lower part disappeared.

The hieroglyphic inscription on the Obelisk describes the victory of the pharaoh and a sacrifice to the god of the sun Amon-Ra in which the pharaoh kneels at the foot of the god.

The Obelisk was brought to Constantinopolis in 390 A.D. and stood over a rectangular stone base on four bronze feet. Its marble base in itself is six meters. There are inscriptions in Latin and Greek on it.

Next monument up..... Serpentine Column was donated to the Delphi by the 31 Greek city states after the victory over the Persians in 479 B.C. This is one of the oldest monuments in Istanbul. The names of these 31 cities were written on this obelisk which is 5.10 meters high. Originally, the column was 8 meters high (a drunken Danish guy broke them) and the column was in the form of three serpents' heads with the gold cauldron supported on their heads. Only two of these heads have been found with one in the Istanbul Archeological Museum, the other one in the British Museum.

Constantine Column was the landmark of the city because of its height of 32 meters. The column was erected in the fourth century by Constantine the Great.

This monument was completely covered with bronze plates. During the Latin invasion in 1204, these plaques were removed and melted to make coins.

Now for the Hansen version....

Harry just had to see this place... so we head in the direction of where the Hippodrome should have been. After several trips round-n-round the general location. We finally found the monuments. Harry zero's in on the Constantine monument and B-lines over to have his picture taken.

I begin to look around and take in our surroundings. What I notice... is that we have wandered into a park of sorts. A park where there are picnic tables, with families spreading picnic blankets, setting out food, and watching their kids play in the park. On the sides of the park are booths. Booths cooking food, but not yet selling food. It smells wonderful.

Then I notice... I am the only female within the entire park NOT covered up.... in a birka (head wrap). People are everywhere... but a Harry and I are the only Pale Faces around.

Harry is clueless. He stands in front of the monument yelling, "Hey Kris... get my picture!" "You know what this is?"

"Um, Harry.... shhhh"

"This is from Constantine, how amazing is that!", he says as he is smiling waiting for me to take his picture.

"Harry, let's go", I proceed to tell/coax him. "We really should to go!"
"Why? what's the hurry.... there are still 2 more monuments over there?" ... and over there is further into the park area and NOT where I wanted to go.

As I get closer to him, I whisper... "harry, look around. we are the only non-Islamic’s around". To which he finally turns around to take in his surroundings...

"It's okay, we are fine.... nothing gonna happen to us!" Just as he finishes his statement of safety... the Muslim call to worship begins... and that is when I REALLY realize where we are....

IN THE PARK OF THE BLUE MOSQUE!

On Friday... which is their most holy days
At Sundown.... which is when they finally get to eat since they have been fasting ALL day. Fasting all day makes people grumpy!
During Ramadan.... which is their most holy time of year.

"You're right Harry because we are leaving.... NOW!" and we did. Along the way we were headed several pamphlets on converting to Islam, which I graciously took.

Blessings to those with knack for winding up in the strangest places,

Kristie

Basilica Cistern

Greetings from one of my favorite places in Istanbul,


The Basilica Cistern, an underground waterway used as a reservoir for water storage. It is a spectacular place. The mixture of ambiance is amazing. Stunning. I could stay there for hours.






The Basilica Cistern was built by Justinian I after the bloody Nika Revolt in 532, an enlargement of an earlier cistern which was constructed by Constantine the Great. During the Byzantium Period, it was used as a reservoir for water storage for the Great Palace and other buildings in the First Hill. During the Ottoman Period, the water was used for Topkapi Palace and watering the gardens of it.



There are 336 columns in the cistern in 12 rows. Most of the column capitals are either in Corinthian or Doric in style. The vaulted brick roof is supported by the columns, each over 30 feet tall, and water was pumped through over 40 miles of aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea. Although the extra water was needed by the city during long sieges, Justinian originally built it to correct water shortages at his nearby Great Palace.

The carp in the water are decorative and an incidental protection against pollution. Some people even think that the Byzantines originally also raised fish in the cistern.

In the cistern the light and classical music accompanies the sound of endlessly dripping water. Water still drips melancholically through the ceiling, and the brick-domed ceiling echoes classical music.

There is one upside down Medusa head supporting one of the columns. Why it is upside down has been a question of much discussion, but the best guess is that the people who placed the stone believed that if the head was upside down, it would ward off evil spirits.

Not far from the upside-down Medusa head is a second Medusa head, which is sideways. Why one head is upside down and the other is sideways only deepens the question about their orientation. Perhaps the builders felt that to place two heads in the same orientation would empower the evil forces living in the snakes on Medusa's head. Also, their presence in the Cistern in the first place is interesting. Perhaps, since they were underwater for most of the ages, the evil forces remained safely submerged.

You might have seen this before.... The cistern was used as a location for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love. Also....the finale of the 2009 film The International takes place in a fantasy amalgam of the Old City, depicting the Basilica Cistern.

I can so see how this place makes for a good spot in a James Bond movie. It’s incredible.

The cistern is dark with soft red hue lighting the wooden path towards the next set of columns. You only hear the echo of water dripping down the walls and trailing under your feet. As you walk the wooden planks through the maze of columns the smell of fresh water mixed with old underground architecture assaults your senses. In a good way. There is a slight chill once you descend the 100 degree heat into the 60 degree or so cistern.

Everyone you encounter along the way is quiet... something about this place makes everyone whisper. Occasionally you will see the intense flash from a camera, but the radiant red settles back on the columns and reflects off the water.

I loved it. Someone needs to make a romance film here... it’s that fantastic!

Blessings to those in ambient light,

Kristie

Agatha.. I love you

Greetings,

Still in Turkey.... I petitioned for another stop... the Pera Palas Hotel.

The Pera Palas was built in 1892 for the purpose of hosting the passengers of the Orient Express and was named after the place it is located. It holds the title of "the oldest European hotel of Turkey".



The hotel on 6 floors with 145 guest rooms including 6 suites has 273 beds equipped with all the modern comforts.



The Hotel, which has entertained kings, queens, statesmen and artists from all over the world since its establishment, is still maintaining the tradition of hosting its famous guests after its restoration in 1974 after which all the valuable and unique memorabilia remains in its original form.



The medium sized rooms and the bathrooms have not been changed for many years and are very traditional. Most of the beds are iron and brass with deep mattresses.

It was not for these comforts that I so desperately wanted to see the Pera Palas Hotel, but because A G A T H A Christie often stayed here... and it is where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express. And just a tid bit of information on me.... she is my favorite author in the whole world!

Her room has become a museum within the Pera Palas...



Agatha Christie was in fact one of the hotel's most ardent visitors. The "Agatha Christie Room", number 411, is now preserved in her honor. It is rumored that she wrote Murder on the Orient Express here.

The only problem.....

when we arrived at the hotel.... this is the only glamour we were able to set our eyes upon....

and this....

because... the hotel is undergoing some major renovations.....

and this..... Seriously, the tour book said the renovations were to be completed by 2008. These folks are way behind!

We tried.... though! I wanted to peruse the halls, sip tea like ole Agatha from the cafe, peek into her former hotel room, sit at her old desk, but her book from the museum, just see the sights and smell the smells. (that kind of sounds like stalking) But all I was able to see was the sign!

Blessings to those with a good book,

Kristie