"IF ONE HAD BUT . . .

 . . . a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul." - Alphonse de Lamartine

I've got a better idea. I have lots of glances and I am going to keep gazing on the gorgeous men in Istanbul. Sheesh, it's almost too much to take. But, yes, I'll force myself to hang in there:-)

Quite a time racing around Ataturk International Airport, as Michael and I somehow managed to arrange everything but our actual meeting place. Happy coincidence that I saw him as I was trying to figure out how to call him on the wrong pay phone while also guarding my many bags AND duty-free Grey Goose Vodka "host gifts" . . . while also being discombobulated and grossly sweaty as it was very warm and I couldn't find a luggage cart for all said luggage.

Gorgeous sunny warm day which I promptly wasted by napping as I didn't sleep one wink on either flight, but did read one book & four magazines, drink two healthy pours of red wine, watch five videos and manage to lose my camera. (No more about that, I swear.) Michael more than made up for it by grilling some amazing steaks on his beautiful terrace for dinner while we caught up, watched the crazy orange moon and wondered many times just WHY there are so many huge & sinister birds flying around late at night.

Have been mostly eating and people-watching so far, but plan to fit in the Topkapi Palace, Chora Church and Whirling Dervishes over next couple days.

You say goodbye and I'll say gule gule for now (although I can't figure out how to put the proper dots over the "u's").