mcnyc

Oh, ThinGorjus, I wish I were friends with Muffy, we'd have a field day in my travels. My dear friend Em is just as spunky and just as posh (a pair of Manolos and Balenciaga bags rule her day), and we have tons of fun in our travels. Em's going to London w/ another friend as I have work here, but I can't wait to hear her stories when she returns in a week!

StCirq

Ah, carpet salesmen! I have a slew of carpets around my house to attest to my grapplings with carpet salesmen from Mykonos to Izmir to Marrakech to local Afghanis! I've drunk wells full of mint tea for rugs! My very first experience with a rug salesman was with one in Casablanca in 1979. I told him, after bargaining with him for a good hour or so and drinking so much mint tea that I had to pee like crazy, in my very best French that I wouldn't use his rug as a bed for my camel, and I came away a couple of hours later with a lovely rug that still graces the entrance to my home for about $50.00 - pure wool, delicate blue and red pattern, pure Berber.
In Turkey in the 1970s I had less luck but still ended up with a couple of rugs for a total of about $250 that I sent home and that I still look at and say "did I really bargain for those and get them for that price?"
I love nice rugs. I particularly love nice rugs that I bargained hard for and got for an amazing price.
I don't think you have to compete with my Dordogne reports, Thin - your reports are entertaining in and of themselves.

Scarlett

Oh John, I have been completely entertained by this Best of Trip Reports!!
Thank you SO much!
I have been so bogged down in our little drive here- then the move in -then the furniture arranging etc...I had not found this until now..please forgive me for not responding before
On a no doubt eventual rainy day in Portland, I am sure I will be daydreaming that there is a trip report that features Muffy, Huffy, Thin, and Scarlett..

Scarlett

Now now darlin, this will pass. We are all still here, no matter what damn Yankee or fool tries to scare us away~
It is only about 7 pm here and I toast you and your excellent trip report with my Lillet Blanc and send you bighugs.
Let's think of a place to go to next, somewhere exotic and fun.
Do you think Thailand/Bangkok is still fun? exotic enough?
My Yankee has been to Turkey/Istanbul, so he is not that keen on returning.
My friend is going to India..hmmm, that would certainly be exotic.

ThinGorjus

I think that we may travel to Cyprus next summer, Scarlett. That would be very exotic, indeed. Muffy says that she wants to go back to Buyukada so she can play bridge and have a facial. Cheers.

ThinGorjus

topping for schuler.

OReilly

Dear Thingorjus:

This was absolutely priceless; I thoroughly enjoyed it last night over a couple of glasses of wine. You have a delightfully clever and witty style. I also read your restaurant reviews; very useful – thank you. =D>

I planned to go to Istanbul on business last December, but the trip was cancelled. It is now looking like it is on for this December. They have agreed to pay for a business class fare from London and are putting me up at the Point Hotel (http://www.pointhotel.com). I’ll probably arrive on Saturday morning and leave have until Wednesday to explore.

I am so glad you recommended the Beyoglu area for accommodation, contrary to almost everyone else. I was pretty certain that I would be better off there than the Sultanahmet and you have confirmed that!

I am a little concerned about the wine situation: If I don’t get my daily allocation I dry up like a wizened old vampire. I generally drink red (shiraz usually): just how drinkable was the local wine? Do you remember any regions/labels that were particularly good?

I might do a little shopping in the Beyoglu area. We don’t need any more oriental rugs, although I might buy a little silk rug for a wall hanging, but I would love to pick up some exotic fabrics (I have a fancy to run give one of the bedrooms a Turkish harem look). Do you remember seeing any quality fabric stores?

Thanks again for a great read: “We are looking for tennis balls” …. I WILL remember that

Best regards Ger

OReilly

Hoping to catch ThinGorjus!

ThinGorjus

I am here, ger. Usually the better restaurants have good Turkish wine. Divan and the Hyatt had the best. However, I only had white wine at these restaurants. I did have a good red on Buyukada, but I can't think of the name.

OReilly

Thanks ThinGorjus

KathrynT

Thingorjus,

How did you find the weather to be when you were in Turkey? We are thinking of going next summer in July but don't want to wilt!

Balenciaga

Topping for Miss Doubletree.

Doubletee

Thanks for the bump. There've been several very helpful trip reports about Istanbul; I think there's something about the city that brings out especially creative writing!

I, too, will keep "We came for some tennis balls" handy for when I'm asked if I want to buy something by a tout.

Scarlett

Ahh Balenciaga, I love this thread. Thank you and you too are thin and gorgeous

OReilly

As Miss Scarlett said ...

BostonGal

ThinGorjus- doing some research on Turkey and came across your trip report. This is freaking hilarious, nevermind uber helpful.
Thank you for such a great trip report!

cigalechanta

And a bit daff

Beatchick

Thin strikes again! Dahling, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your trip report! Very entertaining, witty, wry and informative. So glad I decided to peep in today.

handmaiden

I am the Handmaiden of He Who Shall Not Be Named. Since He can't reply to any messages, I shall help Those In Need.

Bostongal, I shall help thee.

Handmaiden of T-----

Scarlett

It is always a pleasure to read The Adventures of ThinGorjus aka our Dear Daft Darlin!
I just read ThiGorjus eats Turkey, I was not sweeping and mopping, I was driving!
Scarlett