the magic of urfa

is carefully tied to the relationship between light and its sand-coloured walls.

the orange glow of streetlamps

linear

At the end of September, I had the good fortune to visit Helsinki and meet some inspiring art teachers. We had some wonderful discussions about the importance of design in art education, and the role of technology in children's lives today. It was a stimulating experience; hanging out with like-minded creative people, who are passionate about art and teaching.

The first thing that struck me about Helsinki was the air, which felt like medicine upon each inhale. I breathed with every cell of my being, as though I could store it up for the return to a less than fresh Istanbul.

The second thing I was taken by was the absence of homicidal drivers on the road. Taking a walk in Istanbul requires nerves of steel and the slightest death wish— seldom does anyone stop for a pedestrian. There is no way to predict what a Turk behind a wheel is going to do; one-way streets go three ways, turn signals mean little— and everyone is in a rush. I found myself stunned like a deer in headlights when the first Finn driver stopped to let me cross the road.



The third thing, was all the straight lines.

dog, dog, cow

of footsteps and echoes

That first one is my most favourite photo of the entire trip.

the colours of antakya

antioch

Everywhere a peeling colour, faded script
the scent of thyme
the pleading call of swifts.

golden

Portugal has long held a grip on my imagination and curiosity. For some reason, I have always associated a golden yellow with the little country, and longed to see if this yellow was all in my head or a fact. I arrived one hour before Friday turned to Saturday, full of excitement, a warm feeling in my chest.

When morning rolled through the streets of Lisbon, I reluctantly unfolded my limbs and pulled myself from the warmth of the bed into the shower— the waking process feeling like honey.



A quick stop at the cute Pastéis de Belém for coffee and the tastiest little custard tart (well, two of them), provided me with the necessary fuel I required for a day of discovery. The plan was to spend a day and two nights in Lisbon, then to head into Portugal's centre, and possibly its beautiful South too. There was a lot to see in so little time; only a fine wandering would do.



Fortunately, I had the most charming guide.
And the light, it was ever so slightly golden.

back to the mosquitoes and motorbikes

So let's go back to the mosquitoes and the green, the motorbikes, the brown river, and the blazing sun.
I still have photos from Vietnam to share, and after all that snow, I could use some heat!
 

colours of saigon

earth, and the palest of blues

auf wiedersehen, wien!

beautiful bratislava