From Russia...

ahem.  Here we are in (hack) (wheeze) Mosc (cough) ow (snort)(gulp)(gack)

Turkish Delight, but I'm almost out of Jetons

So far, so good in Istanbul with one day to go before we move on to Moscow's  100+ degree temperatures.

Highlights:

-The Blue Mosque.  An obvious choice, but it is really amazing walking in to the structure.  And the outside is already beautiful so that's saying something.

-Drinking banana tea and playing checkers with Dara at one of the nargileh places.  Some guys' jobs is to walk around and get dormant water pipes going strong again.  They exhale so much smoke that their head is totally surrounded in a cherry-flavored cloud.

-The Ayasofia.  It has many layers, literally and historically.  Now a museum, as you walk in you can see the foundations of its early incarnations as a church under the Byzantines.  Once you go in, you see many beautiful Christian-themed mosaics that, ironically, are well preserved because they were plastered over when the Ottomans converted it to a mosque.  Justinian, Constantine, Jesus, Mary, the whole crew is in the house.  In addition, the requisite Arabic postings of Allah, mohamed, and the four other important guys.  There's a hole you can put your thumb in and try to twist it all the way around for good luck, but it didn't seem like it was worth waiting for a mob of grinning tourists to get the photo of your inevitable fail.

-The Basilica Cisterns.  A great way to cool off on a hot afternoon was visiting this underground water storage and distribution system.  It's got fish in it and two statues of Medusa.

-Food - I have found that anything I tried here that also existed in Greece, it was better here.  Take a hike, Athens moussaka!  Now there's something tastier!

-Whirling Dervish show - Five men dressed in white go on a spiritual journey right before your eyes for fifty Euros.  How can you beat that? Really quite amazing to see - they looked so relaxed.

-more to come: we're not done yet!

Four great things about India

It took me awhile, but here were some enjoyable moments from a truly unique country:

• 
  
  Fire restaurant in New Delhi, especially the appetizer platter
• Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, and of course the Taj Mahal - all beautiful structures with great patterns and great stories within.  Once in a lifetime.
• Tere Bin Laden - check this movie out if you get a chance, although I bet it's hard to find in the states. Enjoy seating in the Ebony section, with recliners!
• Jaipur - a pleasant town with castles and elephants

Ready to gobble up some Turkey food!

Well we've had a great week in Greece, including:

-A great day trip to Hydra with beautiful clear, deep, cool waters for swimming.
-Wonderful views of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon and surrounding buildings being fortified for posterity's sake.  They are humbling views, both up close, from nearby rooftops, and down in the city's streets
-Great walks through Plaka, including some decent food
-A super day trip to the beach near Athens - calm waters and a sunbed!
-Mythos!
-Rooftop movies - the great atmosphere totally makes up for a weird flick: "The Last Station".  An odd way to end your life, Leo!

Now we are on to Istanbul this evening.  Hopefully we'll catch up with you there!  Thanks for following and commenting - it's great to hear from you.

Another old building

Just a quick update for now:  we have successfully transitioned from India to Greece, which is quite a difference.  I just can't describe India.  I won't.  No, I can't.  I don't know.  Anyway, we walked around the Acropolis last night, and are headed out for a one-day island hopping cruise tomorrow.  Now I'm about to look for opera tickets so I'll check in later all!

Hello everyone, just a quick update because my time's running out on this computer.  We have enjoyed the truly unique country of India, with the super-friendly people (sometimes so friendly you think to yourself it's creepy) and the delicious food that's hard to forget.  Most of all, we enjoyed the Taj Mahal.  That Emperor had commitment! 22 years, 20,000 people, massive tons of marble and precious stones to boot - all to spend somber time remembering his beautiful late wife...

Tomorrow we're on a day trip from Agra to see Fatehpur Sikri, then more relaxing at the hotel and back to New Delhi the day after for sightseeing and a day trip to Jaipur.  I'll keep you posted! 

Top 5 Reasons to Love Vietnam by Dara

1. Traveling by Boat-

Vietnam is a long narrow country filled with rivers where many of the locals and the tourist enjoy travel by boat. You can have a young, beautiful Vietnamese woman row you in a rowboat. You can do it Miami Vice style in a fast boat along the Saigon River. You can ride a motorboat to watch the buying and selling of fruits and vegetables at the floating market on the Mekong River and of course you can sail through the beautiful, emerald green waters of Ha Long Bay.

2. Pho-

A steaming hot bowl of noodles, spices and meat floating in a tasty broth. I love that they give you a fork, a spoon and chopsticks to eat pho with. First, use your spoon to slurp up some broth and finely chopped scallions. Then use your chopsticks to add add some fresh bean sprouts and minty leaves that come with the pho on a separate plate. Then scoop up some rice noodles and lean beef with your chopsticks. Mmmmm mmm.

3. Motorbike Traffic-

There are over 20 million motorbikes in Vietnam and about two stoplights. I mean I was born in raised in New York City but I'm getting heart palpitations trying to cross the street here. Yet I greatly admire the multi-tasking ability of the Vietnamese motorbike drivers and riders. One guy is texting on a cell phone. Another is picking his nose. One is petting the Chihuahua riding on the handlebars. One is loosely holding a baby, all while honking madly and weaving in and out of congested, downtown Ho Chi Minh City traffic.

4. Water Puppet Theater-

The art of traditional Vietnamese Water Puppetry is over 1000 years old. In step with traditional Vietnamese village life, the series of vignettes that make up the puppet show all take place in the water. Skilled puppeteers standing behind a bamboo screen in waist high water skillfully recreate a village boat race, the planting and harvesting of rice fields, a fishing expedition, children playing in the lake and the legend of a Vietnamese King sailing on his way back from fighting the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty. According to the legend a sacred turtle jumped out of the lake, took the King's sword in his mouth and disappeared back into the lake to signify the ushering in of a peaceful era in Vietnamese history. The water puppets are so cute and joyful. The musical accompaniment was absolutely divine. It was a real treat for a fan of puppetry.

5. Nha Trang Beach-

Nha Trang Beach, located on the South Central coast of Vietnam, has clear, just-the-right-temperature water, plenty of local flavor and fresh seafood vendors who will cook you up a plateful of tasty crab, lobster tails, scallops and tiger prawns right on the beach (and then pull your hair and try to sell you cigarettes while you're trying to eat). It's a great mixture of French Riviera style with a Coney Island vibe complete with a Ferris Wheel and plenty of Vietnamese families frolicking in the waters or playing volleyball in the sand.

Honorable Mention-

Eating Lychee, Dragonfruit, Passionfruit, Mangosteen and other crazy-looking, tasty fruits that we don't know the names of.

What do you love about Vietnam?