Mutlu Yillar!! Happy New Year .....from Istanbul

I know....its been a long time since my last posting. Maybe its a writer's block, maybe it's a heavy heart but I needed sometime to get back on my normal track of mind. You see..I lost someone very dear to me recently and I refrained from writing out of respect for him and also..I needed time to get over my grief. Lets pray that God will bestow upon him all good things and place him in heaven. Amen. 


I, however, have penned a little something that I wish to share with you, dear readers....on a loving memory of my dear late father. I know, every father is special...and so was mine......he was a good man, not because he was my father, but because people told me so. Here's to you, dad.....Thank You, dad

So...how was your new year celebration? Very Explosive? Sure...i think we spent almost billion of dollars throughout the whole world to welcome 2012...with fireworks. 


Turkish do not celebrate Christmas (Noel) and Christmas day is not even a public holiday here. However, New Year is celebrated with much jubilation and people will exchange presents on New Year. And I would always get the delicious 'Assure' porridge from my Landlord and incidently, he also had us with him for this year New Year's dinner. Serefe !!!

Istanbul New Year's Eve 2012 Fireworks Live Stream Bosphorus Webcam   

                        Downloaded from http://www.myworldwebcams.com/new_year/istanbul.html

istanbuldinnercruises.com

604 × 374 - Happy New Years Eve 2012 - Google Images

murrtravel.com.lb

621 × 349 - New Year celebreation in Istanbul - Google Images

newyearistanbul.com

500 × 400 - New year Istanbul  Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, New Year - Google Images

YILBASI - worldbulletin.net - Google Images

globaltableadventure.com

800 × 533 - New Year's greeting from 1900.Fireworks in Istanbul, Turkey - Google Images

People watch the “Pergamon: Panorama of the Ancient Metropolis” panorama created by artist Yadegar Asisi at an exhibition in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. (PHOTOREUTERS, FabrIzIo Bensch) New Year’s Day is traditionally a day for looking back at the past, and looking into the future.
Todayszaman - Read More HERE

This year, I didn't go out to celebrate tho' there were many celebrations at Taksim, Besiktas and other places. Just watched the fireworks from my balcony. It was too cold and I was weary of the 'tense' situation arising out of the accidental killing of the kurds in eastern Turkey. Times like this, I figured it safer to stay away from public places and celebration. Just in case...if you get my drift....yeah...I'm too careful, but you can never be too careful actually. You just need to pay attention and be sensitive to your surroundings, that's all. Then, you can leave the rest to fate.


At the stroke on midnite on New Year, Istanbul rocked with several fireworks displays and cannon sounds!! It was as if you were in a battlefield....but it really lifts your spirit and brightened up the night.

Lets just pray that 2012 will be a better year, will see better improvement and will bring peace, joy, wealth and happiness to each and everyone of us. Life is too short actually....so, lets fill 2012 with positive things and thoughts, improve the quality of our and our neighbor's lives and do our part to make this world a better place to live in.....Amen !!!!!!

Istanbul crowds welcome new year



New Year Celebration Around The world - Hurriyet Daily News

Versace at H&M Istanbul !!

Life is great....life is fantastic...Versace is great...and with H&M, it's even more fantastic!! What am I blabbering about? Well...through out the whole globe today, Versace with H&M is launching their collaboration and Istanbul's point of sales is strategically closed to me..wow!! So....this is one time I don't mind walking the few kilometers to get my dream pieces. Yeah..I know, its very shallow of me...but hey...the therapy and the exercise would do me good!


For those of you who are too young or too old to know Versace, just go ask Uncle Google, perhaps then you'll understand the significance of Versace, especially its original designer, Gianni Versace. He was a genius...i guess that's why he died young, they all did. The geniuses......Gianni Versace, Steve Jobs, Micheal Jackson.....to name just a few. But today, Gianni's sister, Donatella did a great service to him because most designs launched were mostly archives from his time...thank you, Donatella. What great pieces...what great designs...and what great prices! It was really a feast to the eyes...well..to me, at least. Previously it would be 'breaking a bank' to buy many Versace designs but with the collaboration with H&M, everybody can afford those beautiful collections.

Don't get me wrong, the affordable prices does not mean that they had skimmed on the quality. The quality is almost similar with the usual silk, velvet, leather or other materials in the couture range. In fact, they gave more this time with the beautiful dusting bags for bags, beautiful boxes for shoes and accessories and beautiful garment cover bags for dresses! Its just beautiful and did I mention the carrier bags? Everything is beautiful and I am so lucky to be in Istanbul at this time of the year to be able to collect and buy the pieces.

Why was I lucky? Well....I read every where else, people had to queue overnight to get to buy the pieces. Elsewhere, there were lots of disappointment because most items are sold out. That's why I said that I was lucky. I went to the shop at 10am and got almost everything that I was eyeing for except for the leather jacket and the silk scarf. Thank you God.....I am sooo happy.....

All shots taken in the store were from mobile phones...so that explains the grainy photos, but hey....I was not there to take photos....its just that I couldn't resist not taking the shots he he....see all those colorful items? I was outside of the railings, waiting for the "early birds" to shop during their time slots. The early birds were given tags worn a wrist with different colors. They had 10 mins to shop according to their colors. I and the rest of "late comers" are only allowed in at 1.30pm !!

Ahh.....the jackets that I missed and was sold out by 1pm...sigh! In a way, its good...then I didn't have to spend so much...see..there's a blessing in everything !!

the "late comers" like me had to wait till 1pm to start buying.....see those forlorn and worried faces as they watched the pieces being 'snatched away' by the "early-comers'? ...so near....yet...so far....

the agony of waiting....and praying that there'll still be some left behind for you to choose and buy..arghhh

what lovely colors....what lovely designs....what a temptation....notice how limited the items are....

there goes another group of "early-comers"...I couldn't bear watching so I left the store to calm my nerve down....it was too much...too painful to watch....the diminishing return.....

 

Istanbul also had its share of queuing and stampede but I guess there's nothing to complain about if I compared the situation in other parts of the world. Sure...I was swept off my feet in the stampede, ladies were screaming in the stampede, clothes racks were falling down from the attack by the ladies....and I'm sure some friends ended up being foes after the event but...hey....when you go home, and you take a look at those beauties.....my dear readers...I can assure you...it was all worth  it! At the very least, I now know how to handle a stampede... you don't cross the flow, you just follow the surge. Or...let the drift carry you he he...till you get to where you want to be. Then..you can start to elbow your way in to the spot that you really want. Really..its that simple. Of course, when you are in a stampede..you will start to wonder if you'd ever get out of it alive. One thing for sure...those of you out there who say that women are weak...you definitely had not been caught in a stampede among ladies. They can bring the whole house down if they wanted to...so beware you guys!

I got the leather bag due to luck because it was on the floor. When I got up, the lady next to me said "benim..benim!" meaning "mine..mine!" Of course, I replied back by saying " bilmem...bilmem!" meaning "don't understand..don't understand!"...he he...it pays to be a Yabanci (foreigner) at this moment! Ignorance, they say...is bliss. 

Ahh...feels sooo good...what a a good therapy to chase the winter blues away.....and the items are really beautiful. It has lots of Gianni Versace taste in his favorite pink, turquoise, green, gold and silver colors...just breathtaking....beautiful collections. What lovely day....this has been....I am so bliss-ed! So, how was your day ??

for a start...don't you think the carry bags are lovely? as I said...no quality was forsaken....Versace splurged and optimized its "killer" designs....and the shoppers did the advertisement as they walked away with these gorgeous bags....

safe at home.....I wanted to immortalize the moment...the shopping spree..the stampede..the walk..and to just remember the moment. In my country, there is a saying...."loser at purchase, winner at owning"..i felt triumphed...really!

and...baby pink makes three......love these beauties...unfortunately, some people used this event to make quick bucks on the internet, eBay especially. Within 24 hours, these beauties are being auctioned off at starting price of twice the selling price....  

you call it handbag....I call it "work of Art".....

you call it baby pinkie bag.....I call it "cutie pinkie"......

it may not be of thousand of dollars but...it sure packs lots of fun and excitement as compared to its over-rated and over-priced B****n or L**** V*****n or whatever.....at least you don't look like a grandma when you swing and fling this cutie around.....

gone to sleep....in its sweet duster bags....now...doesn't that lift your spirit up.....a little ?? No..?

you call it scarf...I call it "work of art" and deserve to be on a wall....what do you think, huh ??

Donatella carried this cutie when she went to the launch in London...cool !!

would you believe that this is the garment bag for dresses .... really...

see the cute box to hold the accessories......even the boxes are too pretty to throw away and made good gift items...

this is not just a cushion....to me, it's a Masterpiece...

may your days be as bright and sunny as these bags are....and hope you had fun in sharing my indulgence !!

Maybe the new Italian Monti technocrat government should pool all the Italian designers....whether in fashion, cars or other industries to jointly do what Versace did and launch a similar global events with their respective products globally. Maybe these creative and talented designers should commission their masterpieces and the Italian government and people conduct the event as H&M did. The proceeds can be used to settle their debts and help to speed up recovery of Italy. Perhaps...it is time for the talented and creative Italian designers to do their "National" service to the country. There must be a reason why God pooled almost all the best designers in Italy, don't you think? My 2 cents worth.........

Watch more of the Collections HERE

READ MORE ABOUT THE LAUNCH IN LONDON

The Day Turkey Stood Still for her Father

Today, November the 10th. at exactly 9.05 am, everything and everybody stood still for two (2) minutes! Cars and other vehicles will stop in the streets, loud siren will be blasted and drivers come out of their cars and stood still at attention. Head bowed as if in remembrance and I could swear that I saw tears in some of the eyes around me! Those who remained in their standstill cars would blast their horn for the next two minutes or so. It is so systematic....so in sync and seems so natural and normal. 

I, of course...have been tipped off about the event and had waited right smack in the middle of the road, camera in my hand and waited. I wanted to see this phenomenal event and would not miss it for the world. At first, I thought I was wrongly informed as everything seemed  normal as compared to what i was told. But..true enough...at exactly 9.05am, there was a siren and miraculously......everything stopped and stood still. Drop dead...zilch! I truly believed that I was the only one moving about  as I took my shots.

 So..what is so special about today? Well...for the last 73 years, since 1938.....Turkey remembers and pay tribute to her Father of Modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk. You see, 73 years ago, Kemal Ataturk breathed his last breath at exactly 9.05am in one of the rooms  in The Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul. It was alleged that when he was drawing his last few breath, the Navy sailed passed the Palace as a final salute to their great Leader. Now, every year, at 9.05am on 10th November, Turkey will stand still for few minutes in loving remembrance of this Great Man, Leader, Father, Visionary ..... and all flags will be at half mast in his honour. 

Getting ready to lower the flag to half mast......and this is just a shopping centre !!

this man is getting ready ...even though the siren has not started, and so is the man in the background....getting out of his car..

Siren blaring and eveybody at a stand still.....paying homage and respect to their 'Father'......the horns are blaring, too !

Everything stopped.....!!!

Some still chosed to stand still even after the siren......note that they are all of various generations....young, kids and old alike...

the guy in white might be too young to know Ataturk....but from the look of it, he must truly love him,too.....

Whether at the Anıtkabir Mausoleum or on the Bosporus Bridge, people remembered the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on the 73rd anniversary of his death. 
(Text and Photo: Today's Zaman, Kürşat Bayhan, Nov. 10th. 2011)

a solitary half mast flag for Turkey's Father.....

a half mast flag and Ataturk's monument near my house...

I am not an authority or good enough to write about Kemal Ataturk but I hope someday, I'll gather enough strength and courage to write about this phenomenal man who brought Turkey to its greatest height and had shaped Turkey to be what it is today. Turkey has become a model and symbol of progressive and modern (Islamic) Nation and is a 'Big Brother' to turn to for many of the Arab and African Nations. Sure...the Ottoman empire was already powerful and successful but Kemal Ataturk brought Turkey up when it was on a brink of collapse due to the foreign occupancy at that time.

Kemal Ataturk  lost his father at a very young age and as such...took it upon himself to take care of his mother and sister. He was already playing a fatherly role at such tender age and continue to become the Father to the Nation not long after. He was a Visionary  and was able to steer Turkey into a Nation to be proud of at home and Internationally. He didn't just go to war but upon victory....set up the language (sometimes borrowing from other European languages), introduced the usage of surname...he even gave some surname to the people, change the writing from Arabic to Roman alphabet, even changed the way they dress up, the way they eat....and got rid of the Canon Law (Fatwa) and many many other changes and advancement. He also got rid of all the 'titles' and made everybody simply Bey (Mr.) or Hanim (Ms.) And...everything he did has got nothing to do with popularity drive or gimmicks. He was just building the character, integrity and self esteem of the Turkish people.

And he took the surname Ataturk...meaning....The Father. And that exactly...was what he was to them! If there is a leader who really loves his people...Kemal Ataturk is the man. Everything he did, he did it for Turkey. The BIG difference between Ataturk and other leaders of the world was....other leaders of the world were and are too busy building a Dynasty. While Ataturk was too busy building a Nation. Too busy was he...that he died without a wife (tho' he was married briefly but divorced and not because he was not good looking. He was very handsome !) , without an offspring and almost without an asset. He however, had several adopted children and one adopted daughter became a millitary pilot and the Sabiha Gokcen Airport was named after her. 

He was truly a GREAT man and i can't find the right word to describe to you just how much the people love him. I, too...love him. Go read the book ' Ataturk by Andrew Mango' and perhaps you will understand how I could fall in love with this man as did millions of other Turks. His was the only biography where I cried when the hero died.  But then again..this is not just a hero...this is KEMAL ATATURK!  

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk......Leader Extrordinaire....this image is found almost everywhere in Turkey

Always immaculately attired, Ataturk taught and insisted that his people must always be well-groomed and properly attired. You can see the effect of this as Turks (especially the ladies) are always well coiffured and attired, even when they were performing the Haj. the Truks are almost always smartly dressed...

don't you think that he looks like Clark Gable? ( Last three images are taken from Google Images.)

Perhaps now...you can understand why I saw tears in some of those eyes today. I know that I have this lump in my throat as I write this piece and as I remember this GREAT man who gave everything for his people and his selfless sacrifices. May God bless your soul always, Kemal Ataturk......Seni Cok Seviyorum !!!

" The centuries rarely produced a genius. 

   Look at this bad luck of ours that great genius of our era 

   was granted to the Turkish Nation. "  

    David Lloyd George , UK Prime Minister 1922

" This Nation has never lived without independence. 

   We cannot live and shall not live without it.

   Either independence or death. "  

   Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

READ MORE OF THE CEREMONY HERE

Turkey's Best Kept Secrets

First and foremost, lets pray and keep a minute silence for all the people of Van province who were injured or killed in the 7.2 Richter scale earthquake on last sunday. My heart goes to all the families, friends and people of Van and its always heart wrenching to hear of more bodies being dug-out of the collapsed buildings. It is really a tragedy of its worst kind. As I shivered in my sheltered and heated home, or bundled in my warm clothing...I wonder how it is for them to sleep in a tent, with no proper warm clothing in this sonbahar (last spring or autumn) weather. We are so blessed...and most of the time, we didn't even realised it. 

Van is situated in the eastern part of Turkey, nearing the border to Iran and Armenia. And there is a beautiful Lake Van which attracts lots of tourists to the site, though I have not been there myself. 

Image copied from Google. Can you spot where Van is located at? Its in the Eastern part of Turkey

When this tragedy struck Van, I am also concerned about what is going to happen to the famous National Breed Van Cats !!

The Turks would know it..but most outsiders would not know about the beautiful Van cats. Yes..the furry lovely 4 legged friend who purred when you stroke her or him. Yeah..i know..blondes do that too ..but that's a different story altogether! Now, focus!

Can you spot the most prominent feature of this lovely cats? No ?? Look carefully....

                      photo copied from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2ikbXeAWYnjBuPm4_YcDNLI3fj54dQDHzno6x9rrUPA5x_jEbDvzn3NyY83NUGrbE_ycV6mRI3UjcXskNoLXjiV3pvi0ATQ6XYmo5nwgfYWkSMleitA4X3o407m7RxdizbokhlV8L7A/s1600/Van4images.jpg 

So..what is sooo special about Van cats? Look at these photos and you tell me what is the special feature of these lovelies. Still didn't get it? My....you sure are NOT observant enough. Maybe that explains why you are not in the CIA ha ha....just kidding! Big brother up there might be listening......

see what a beauty she is.........photo from Google Images

Van cats are very domesticated and usually stay indoor or out swimming. they are very jealous of other cats and rightly soooo....since they are so rare, they are seldom neutered..photo from Google Images

its very interesting to look at the fox-like tail...photo from Google Images

 

they love to swim....being closed to Lake Van.

                                                                       photo copied from  http://www.swimmingcats.com/faqs.html

Well....for those of you who are 'quick'....yes....the beauty  is in the eyes, literally speaking! Look at the eyes....don't you find it odd that the eyes are in different color? and i can assure you, she is not wearing contact lenses. That my dear fellow readers...are the trademarks of Van cats. 

They originated from Van and is almost always white in color. And being closed to Lake Van, it is reported that they love to swim in water. And another distinct feature of Van cats are their "fox-like" tails. So..you combine the dual-eye color feature with the fox-tail effect..what do you get? An exotic prized cats! So exotic are they that most Van cats are always behind locked doors or cages for fear of being kidnapped or stolen. They are very expensive to buy ( if you can find them in the shop) and are extremely rare..even in Turkey. When the owner of a Van cat admit to having them, they'll speak with hushed voice and with extreme care not to be overhead by others! Its a prized possession and no matter how much I'd loved to get them and bring them back with me...I can't. It is against the law and you can be charged and/or jailed heftily if caught trying to take the cats out of the country. Just as you would be charged heavily if caught trying to take out antiques or antiquities of more than 100 years old. So..don't try to feign innocence when it comes to this....you have been warned!

Another prized  secrets that the Turks are proud of is their Kangal dogs. Kangal dogs are Turkish special national breed that is also protected and is not allowed to be taken out of the country except to Turkish Nasionals..Now...while Van cats are adorable...Kangal dogs is also adorable but they could also be eadly.  Kangal dogs are the only dogs that can kill wolves!! You have to see them to understand that they can be friends and killer monster at the same time. Kangal dogs are huge...most times, they would be as high as your waist, on their 4 legs. And they are normally used by the army, or as guard dogs. As with Van cats, they are also well shielded from public eyes due to its scarcity. But at homes, they are so adorable and would be a very important part of any families. They are very lovable and are trusted to guard the family and are always a good companions to the family, especially children.  They originated from Kangal in Sivas, hence its name.

Kangal dog....as big as the man....this is about the only dog in the world that can kill a wolf.....special breed from Turkey...and Turkish National pride!

 

do not be fooled by its size...it can be as lovable as a poodle and will stay at home to watch over the children as well. a truly men's best friend

how lucky for this kid....with a friend like that..you'll never be bullied at school !! perhaps you can understand now why and how Kangal dogs would be loved by the family. it takes care of the family, the children, the livestock....your guardian for life!

       (All kangal dogs photos copied from http://kashifbt.blogspot.com/2010/05/turkest-kangal-dog-pictures.html)

I know that I would change my lane (or path) if I saw a Kangal dog coming towards my direction. You see..sometimes you have to follow the rule of the jungle...size does matter! Hey..they weigh at least 50kilos....that's more than my weight! I don't argue with Kangal dogs. In fact, i don't argue with dogs, period! Although the stray dogs in Turkey are well taken care of and are even tagged by the council. There are many strays but they are not ferocious as they are well fed by people on the street. It is a common sight here to see someone stopping by the roadside...open the side door..and give packets of meat or chickens to the stray dogs. And of course, these strays always get their feeds from the bakery with the  good  old turkish bread.... So, in Turkey, the stray dogs co-exist with the environment and the people nicely !!! 



Special tribute :

In loving memory of " Tiger "   who died couple of years back after a Vet said that she couldn't live beyond few months due to kidney problem...and wanted to use her as an lab experiment! well.....she lived for more than seven years !

 

 

 

 

in fond memory of "   Coco "   whom we had leave behind with a wonderful man who raised and care for 39 cats. so...bless him....my 2 cats made it 41 ! we shall take them back when we go home ....

the other cat with Coco and the 41-cat-man. " Snowball "   is such a gentle cat, being of a Birman breed. she is so gentle that her breed could even be trusted with small babies. 

Snowball simple came to house and refused to go home. i suspected that she was ' poached ' and she didn't know how to go home. maybe she liked the environment of my house and decided to stay permanently. one thing for sure...she is so scared of strangers that ...at the sound of my door bell, she'll bolt out and hide...must be from her painful previous experience. Truly miss them !!

 

Van Cat - Read More Here 

Kangal Dogs - Read More Here 


Acknowledgement :


Thank you for all the wishes and concern for me and family during the earthquake scare. We are okay and are touched by your kind wishes and prayers.