Revisit

Categories: Istanbul · latest · moving images · writingsTags: 7 Comments

I’ve officially been on break for a week and it’s been really nice. Maybe China ‘prepared’ me for humidity, but it’s not too bad here right now. I looked at my list from my post in May and after some research, I realized that some of these items were a bit expensive so I am rethinking the list: 1) Take an intensive Turkish language course Yes – 9am to 1pm, Monday – Friday, plus homework. Fantastic but hugely time consuming! 2) Get a swimming pool pass from one of the hotels No. Anyone have an extra $800 to $1,00US to…

Street Art Istanbul

Categories: images · Istanbul · latest · walking around Istanbul · writingsTags: · · 4 Comments

Recently, I downloaded an app called StreetArt Istanbul. From this app, I get a little bit of information about the street artists around Istanbul. For instance, I had no idea that some of the more well known street artists get commissions to do certain pieces. Also, this app gives the location of the art; not such good news because directions are incredibly difficult for me. However, as I was walking around Istakal in the rain this morning, I stumbled upon this great alley with a bunch of street art; mostly painted by an artist named Leo Lunatic. I felt like…

Becoming Turkish

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I’ve made the decision not to go to California this summer and to stay put in Istanbul. I will probably take a few long weekends to cities in Turkey, but overall, I want to start saving money and not always spend it on traveling. Traveling can be really expensive, and it tends to sneak up on you. It’s always the little things. However, this decision caused a bit of panic because what am I going to do for six weeks? Most, if not all, of the people I work with are traveling which could mean a lot of Claire Time….

With Love, From Poland

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My friend and I visited Warsaw and Krakow and we also ate Warsaw and Krakow. The food is delicious especially the perogies and Polish sausage. Holy all that is good in the world! I didn’t even like sauerkraut but now I love it! Plus, they have chocolate covered marshmallows and an ice cream shop every fourth store. What I didn’t know about before I got to my Fatherland was the Polish resistance in Warsaw in 1944 against the Nazis. As a result of this rebellion, the people and the city were brutalized; 85% of the city was destroyed, prisoners were…

Following My Heart

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Since my blog is called Traveling with Claire and I haven’t done much traveling, I haven’t been writing too much. It’s not like Shekou where I was literally counting the minutes until my next vacation. I had a week off recently and I stayed here in Istanbul, exploring some new areas and trying some new recipes. I really do love this city. However, there is another reason I stayed home – I got a new job at my school. I will be the Tech Integrator/eLearning Coach for IICS! Next year, I am out of the classroom and onto new challenges!…

“You can walk and you can pay!”

Categories: latest · walking around Istanbul · writingsTags: · · · 2 Comments

Today I went on an ArtWalk around the Tophane and Karakoy districts. All said, we visited eight galleries. It was inspiring to see the different works of art, although I have to admit that some of the more conceptual pieces went right over my head. The woman who started ArtWalk, Saliha Yavuz, was interesting. She essentially started this art tour after she had been working in a gallery and tourists kept coming in to ask her about the different galleries in Istanbul. And let me tell you, there are many! Anyway, she decided that this was something she could create and…

Finally…

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My ankle is finally, finally almost healed. A torn ligament is not a quick fix! Last week was the first week that my ankle felt normal… it’s been weeks and weeks! Slowly, I am getting my walks back in. I love walking. It gives me peace of mind and time to think. I walked home from Turkish class last week and this morning, I went for a beautiful walk around Istanbul. Early Sunday mornings are a great time to see Istanbul because there are no crowds and fewer cars barreling around. Plus, we are having remarkably good weather so it…

Reading the Signs

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When deciding to stay at an international school, most schools want the ‘soft’ decision of whether you are staying or going by October but by December, they need to know the definite yes or no because they have to start recruiting. I have already given my soft yes but there are always questions, well no. There were no questions about China… but the point is, it is a major life decision. Plus, recruiting is a brutal process and moving isn’t much fun either. And if you commit but then flake or change your mind, you can get blacklisted. No bueno….

Claire’s Apartment 2.0

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Since coming back from my whirlwind tour of the Baltic, I’ve been making some changes to my apartment. I purchased some new furniture and because it’s been so hot and humid here in Istanbul, staying inside and organizing my things has been a welcome relief. The political/protest situation around here has calmed down and it’s been really nice to be back in Istanbul, just hanging around. However, word is that things will most likely heat up in September when schools are back in session.  On Istiklal, there is a constant police presence with full swat gear at the ready. In…

Internet Access is a Human Right

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I knew I loved Estonia. I recently read an article in The Economist about how this country has become a leader in technology. There are two sentences within the piece that echo a sentiment that I have believed to be true for some time, ‘In 2000, when the government declared internet access to be a human right, the web spread into the boondocks. Free Wi-Fi became commonplace.’ Can I get an Amen? Whilst exploring parts of Europe with my family this summer, I was infuriated many times at the lack of free internet. It wasn’t so much that I wanted…