I've been traveling through Turkey the last few weeks and so haven't been able to answer any of your messages, but now that I'm back home I'll get caught back up with everyone as soon as I get over the nasty case of jet lag I've got going.

I started my trip through Turkey in Istanbul, a truly amazing city that current population estimates put at 17 million souls. While I was in Istanbul the staff of the Sumengen Hotel made my visit a delight, and all I can say is the final night at the Sumengen Hotel was a delight beyond description! Many thanks to Ibrahim and all the staff for helping make my final night in Istanbul something I will cherish forever!  Click on the photos for larger versions.

Below is the street down from the Sumengen Hotel where I stayed, going towards the Apex Hotel, in the Old City part of Istanbul, a place that I shall never forget.

I highly recommend a walk along the square between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (pictured below) in the evening with your significant other, it will be a moment etched into your heart forever.

To unwind after getting home I put on some nice mellow jazz LPs, Bill Evans at Town Hall, a must get for Bill Evans fans, and Rickie Lee Jones's Pop Pop which had arrived in the mail just before I left. Pop Pop is a great album with old standards like My One and Only Love, Second Time Around, I'll Be Seeing You, The Ballad of the Sad Young Men, and Coming Back to Me.

For travel junkies: I'll tell you about some great travel clothes that make life easy on the road, and a few things to avoid.

For camera junkies: wait until you see some of the photos I took, Turkey is truly an amazing place! The Leica M9 performed flawlessly and was easy to haul around because of its small size. The M9's medium format-like photo quality, due to its huge full-frame sensor, placed in a compact camera body, makes it a joy for travel.

Thanks to everyone who posted while I was gone!

Best,

Jeff