More Roma

Pope Benedict (the sun came out just before he did)

Part of the crowd in St. Peter's Piazza on Christmas morning

view from the hotel room

Buon Natale en Roma

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve at Santa Maria Maggiore

view of Santa Maria from our hotel, the Mecenate Palace

heading to St. Peter's for the Pope's Christmas morning message

waiting for il Papa

Via Merulana Christmas lights

Busy Saturday

Yesterday Sim spent several hours with Tyler working on the "Ale Project."  When he was home for Thanksgiving, Sim consulted with the guys at Ithaca Beer and brought back barley malt, hops, and a book.  Tyler has made beer before, so yesterday they mixed it up, cooked it in the very large pot Sim procured for 10 lira in Eminonou, and they now have 5 gallons working.  They hope it might be ready for New Year's.

I met up with Sim and we went to Molly's Cafe for a reading by my RC friends.  Mostly poetry, some songs, a lot of fun.  After the reading a bunch of us went to a Thai restaurant nearby, then to a Beyoglu club where our friend and colleague Jake was playing with his band. The temperature was very mild and it was clear, so it was delightful to walk around.

At the club, did some dancing and had a lot of fun.  We again tried to get a bus from Taksim (the metro to Kabatas closes well before midnight), and I know we were in the right bus shelter, but after waiting awhile and witnessing a young woman barfing right next to us, we opted for a cab. 

Today was rainy and we slept late.  Did the Times crossword, made a stew, which wew just finished. Sim's in heaven because he's got the Giants game on our TV, a glass of raki, and he's got Cooper and Jake on Sype at Coop's to talk it through.

Christmas Spirit

As I mentioned in my last post, the Christmas spirit is strong at Robert College.  Last week there was a holiday bazaar at Bizemtepe, the alumni club, and today there was one in Marble Hall, the large foyer of Gould Hall, the main school building.  Felt antlers were a popular item.  Here's a picture of some of my favorite 9th graders sporting them.

Last evening the temperature was back to springlike mildness, but today there were lots of snow flurries, which excited the kids (and some of the adults) and further contributed to the Christmas spirit. 

Next Wednesday our Christmas/ New Year's Party program looks like this:

Program

5:30 pm

• Bonfire and wagon rides with Santa– Rodney Wagner Maze
• Fireplace and drinks for adults – Faculty Parlor

6:30 pm

• Drinks – Faculty Parlor for Adults
• Santa / presents – Marble Hall
• Children's games – Marble Hall

7:30 pm

• Dinner in Cafeteria           

9:00-10:00 pm

• Marble Hall
• Christmas carols and Dance
• Coffee and cookies

Hard to believe this is a school with a 98% Muslim student body. 

At home



 In the kitchen while Sim cooks

the dining room

My Christmas tree



Bebek 

Wearing the apron Julie gave me last Christmas

And more out and about

More out and about

My favorite mosque, Rustempasa, near the Spice Bazaar



Old lady selling bags




Lucy and Coop at Rustempasa with the Izmit tiles



At dinner in Beyoglu