Retour d’Istanbul

Les hammams, les jus de grenade frais pressés devant vous, les nombreuses occasions de caresser les chats des rues, les kebaps épicés et les gâteaux de riz, le shopping de nuit à Beyoğlu, les visites de galeries jusqu’à minuit à Tophane, les odeurs entêtantes d’épices et d’herbes au Bazar aux épices, les dégustations de loukoum, les appels à la prière, l’architecture des mosquées et des maisons en bois, l’odeur de la mer avec la vue en permanence sur l’eau et les bateaux, l’expérience du thé turc, les cheminées du palais de Topkapı, les trams qui arrivent toutes les 5 minutes, la température agréable et les croisières sur le Bosphore pour aller se balader en Asie me manquent…mais je suis aussi contente d’être de retour dans mon atelier alpin pour peindre. Teşekkürler İstanbul !

Missing the sensual hot stone hammams, the fresh pomegranate juice made right in front of you, the endless opportunities to pet friendly street cats, spicy kebaps and milky rice puddings, late night shopping in Beyoğlu, gallery hopping in Tophane until midnight, breathing in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Spice Bazaar, lokum tasting, the calls to prayer, the architecture of the mosques and wooden houses, the smell of the sea with constant views of boats and water, the Turkish tea experience, the fireplaces of Topkapı palace, trams that arrive every 5 minutes, jacket weather and cruising the Bosphorus to visit Asia… but also really happy to be back in my Alpine art studio, painting. Teşekkürler İstanbul!

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Je reviens à Grenoble après une magnifique semaine à Istanbul…et le Marché de Noël est ouvert !

I’ve returned to Grenoble after a splendid week in Istanbul… And the Christmas Market is open!

Thanksgiving Getaway & the Marché de Noël

On Tuesday I called to make reservations at Pumpkins for their Thanksgiving dinner for a group of five. Booked. They told me to try Café Mari which was also doing Thanksgiving. Booked. Of course; there are two restaurants in anglophone-ridden Grenoble serving the T-day’s feast; best reserve at least a month or two ahead!

Then I thought of cooking a large stuffed turkey in haste… which didn’t seem like a good thing to try last minute. No luck finding an obese turkey anyway:

Just kidding... I know it takes more than the yellow pages to find a big mama turkey in France...

But, it ended up working out because I was then able to accompany the BF to Provence on Wednesday morning and stay in the South all through the weekend. I looked a little less odd while in the south speaking my French sud-Occitan mixed with American accent because ever’one be speakin’ with a southern twang. Three star hotel with breakfast included, sunshine, blue skies, no pollution, warm personalities, shopping, art history, new places to discover; ‘was a nice change.

Now, I have a LOT to update about. I just returned to Grenoble last night and have a lot of experiences and photos to share since Barcelona a few weeks ago!

But, if you don’t hear from me, it may have something to do with the marché de noël opening in Grenoble, which looks much bigger than it was last year! And I thought I didn’t like Christmas…

My 1st day back in Grenoble since Tuesday of last week.. Skipped breakfast and went right to the diot line for le déjeuner.

I must say, Grenoble’s Christmas market (over 120 vendors!) makes the one in Aix-en-Provence look pathetic. If you haven’t visited Grenoble yet, you should come this winter! Also, the Alps = amazing winter food! And Grenoble’s the Alpine capital!

A few posts I hope to get to soon:

Barcelona; photos (Flamenco included!)

Thanksgiving in Provence and the funny thing I ended up eating

Aix-en-Provence, highlights/recommendations

Weekend in Arles, Camargue & Saintes-Maries de la Mer

Weekend in Aigues-Mortes and Le Grau du Roi

Stuffed pepper recipe

Grenoble, Christmas Market photos &  highlights