Happy Thanksgiving

Just arrived back in LA from Istanbul. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! It's been a rough year on so many levels but I hope you and yours are all happy and healthy and enjoying the holiday. And of course, remember to gobble gobble gobble!

An Afternoon in Istanbul

Sultan Ahmet Mosque from afar... it is magnificent.

Awww, this mosque only has one pole thingy, how sad...It borders the Grand Bazaar.

Sigh, the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays... open sesame, open sesame! Grrrhh, didn't work.

Built during the reign of emperor Justinian I in the 6th Century, the Basilica Cistern is located next to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. It is an underground reservoir which supplied fresh water to the great palace of Constantinopole.

This is what's beneath of the columns... fresh water and carps...

Mysterious Medusa head in the Cistern. Two of the columns are supported by two humongous medusa heads. One is placed upside down and the other on its side. It is rumored that the medusa heads were cut from another Roman building and reused here.

Yours truly striking a pose next to one of the Medusa heads, the one placed on its side.

Sushi in Istanbul

The winds were howling outside and rain was pouring... so we settled on, eh, sushi, in the hotel... the waitresses were dressed as geishas, haha. The sashimi turned out really good, like all foods here, very fresh...

Good Night from Istanbul!

We started our night out at the Four Season's... alas, I am not staying here... given the economic times, even Princess Cat needs to tighten her belt :-P BTW, this used to be a prison!

Sultan Ahmet Mosque -- you can tell that it is a very important mosque by the six pole thingies. The Mosque in Mecca has seven!

The Hagia Sophia -- it began its life as a Christian basilica, then became a mosque and now it's a museum. It is right across the street from the Sultan Ahmet Mosque.

Another view of Hagia Sophia

Then we grabbed a beer at an "alpine" bar...

After the beer, we headed to Taksim... a popular place that's akin to a nightmarket... the flower vendor at the Taksim Square.

Main thoroughfare at Taksim.

Look at the fish! The one in front has got these little nail like things!

Fruitstand. Notice the long melon hanging on top?

Time to find a restaurant...

We settled on a mom and pop place. It was 10 and the place was packed! It seems people elsewhere (ie. other than America) really know how to enjoy life, chatting with friends until the wee hours.

This is celery root, good dish to eat before the main entree, very refreshing.

My favorite, grilled sea bass! Very lightly seasoned, fresh and tender.

Good morning from Istanbul!

As you can see, it's already a busy morning here in Istanbul. The famous Blue Mosque (now a museum) is in the background... I am on the Europe side, and right across is Asia, isn't it cool, I am in Europe and I am in Asia, kekeke...

Cat is in Turkey

I've arrived in Istanbul! Yay, after 20 hrs! It's a really pretty city, with the waters and hills and historical ruins... it's so different from the States where everything is new. Gosh, the little Indiana Jones in me wants to drop everything and just start digging for treasures! Arrived at night so no pics yet, but hope to post some soon. Oh I am so hungry too, it's 5am here!

My name is Cat, Meow Meow Cat...

Ah, Daniel Craig has turned me into a starry eyed fan girl :-) Quantum of Solace, as the name implies, looked and sounded very good, but did not make any sense. Anyhoo, that's beside the point. The locales were exotic, the women were beautiful and Daniel Craig was über cool. What more can you ask for? Only if I could come out of a meeting looking like this, with my high heels in hand, dress torn up and hair strategically tusseled... My name is Cat, Meow Meow Cat...

Turkish Dance

K, in celebration of my impending trip to Turkey, I've decided to practice my Turkish dance steps again... hehe, hope to meet a few cute Turkish boy kitties there!

Victory Noodles!

Hmmm, the day after... it's been quite chilly here lately, so I wanted something soupy and noodly, and I got it... only if I could come home to a bowl of hot noodle soup everyday!

We have witnessed history...

Prayers for President-Elect Obama... Prayers for America...Prayers for the World...
uncredited picture found on web

Thank you John McCain

For bowing out graciously and honorably...

Yay... we are doing well!

I hear people honking and cheering outside... presumably for Obama. It's like LA won the Super Bowl!

Calling all Patriots!

Remember to vote early and vote often! K, just kidding about the "often" part :-)