Hello, Fodorites. I am leaving for Istanbul tomorrow with my friend (Muffy), my mother (Tuffy), and my husband (Puffy). I (Huffy)just want to thank the few people who helped me with my holiday, such as Judy, Seamus, and the lady from New York who went to Istanbul with her father. I just hope my fez and rhinestone Gucci sunglasses aren't too much for the Turks. See you--Mimi, Scarlett, Snobby, mkingdom, beatchick--in ten days.

Ciao,
John G.

Bon Voyage Are you all guys calling each other by these names?

I'll be there in early August. PLEASE do not buy everything in the Grand Bazaar..leave a little something for the rest of us (and no, those emeralds in the Topkapi are NOT for sale).

Have a GREAT trip.

have a fabulous trip Thin. Can't wait to read about your trip!

Au revoir, cherie! Safe and happy travels to you! In honor of your departure, a little song:

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul

BC

Have a good trip, John. Will look forward to hearing your thoughts on Istanbul. We went about 6 years ago over Easter and enjoyed it immensely but, despite that, it isn't a city we'd rush back to.

Bon Voyage cherie Huffy!

Have a great time (says the woman from NY who went with her dad)!!!

Dear John, your group will be better than the Gabor sisters . I wish I could join you in my mocassins, but alas, I cut my hair, so no braids, but my scent of Iris by Santa Maria will bless you.
yes, the song comes back to me from those days when it was constantinople.
, that they made us say ISTANBUL.
YOURS TRULY.
Buffy, in Cambridge.

What, no Buffy?

EXCUSE ME--no making fun of "Muffy." That is the name I was called all my life until I went to boarding school and they had the temerity to ban nicknames. The head refused to have a school full of students named Cookie, Muffy, Buffy (WE had one), and Brownie. I think he drew the line at "Hen-Hen."

Called the wife Muffy for years.
Then she thought Chanel had a better ring to it.
Her mother would roll over in her grave at the thought, Mildred calling herself Chanel. ha.

Buffy must have gone to Transylvania to slay the vampires.

I am reportýng from Istanbulç. Just had two bottle of Dolmus at Yesýl <Ev, and fell ýnto the gutter runnýng from the carpet salesmenç. Why do they thýnk I want a carpet? DonÝ THEY realýze that I just want a good martýný? Sýrö, what ýs Tangeray? We donit haveö, but we have nýce carpet for you, yes? NO. Muffy fell ýnto the Bospuros todayç. Wýll report back later after I am soberç. Cýao.

Hello Thin and Gorgeous,

Enjoy Istanbul! I'm sooo looking forward to your trip report.

Oh boy... oh boy...this oughta be good!

And when he's bad-he's good1

<<Wýll report back later after I am soberç. Cýao.>>

Oh please don't wait! In fact, have another bottle and then write back!

>Ev, and fell ýnto the gutter runnýng from the carpet salesmenç. Why do they thýnk I want a carpet?

Because, Dearest, you were laying in the street after those beverages ;-)

Can't wait to read your first installment w/plenty of Huffy, Muffy and Puff Daddy details...

LOL reminds me the first time I tried to use European keyboard.

No, Thin, I'm not laughing at you. I am lauging with you... or do I need a bottle to be able to laugh WITH you?

So, what was Tuffy's reaction to your Turkish experience?