Daily Archives: 11/21/2011

(Community Matters) Americans once forgave the economic chasm because they believed their children had a fair shot through education & hard work. Now politicians tolerate systemic inequities b/c they see a their path to getting rich. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) Kudos to Kevin Keim and the Charles Moore Foundation – Placenotes make great holiday gifts. WSJ gift guide

(Community Matters) Mostly toured the Beşiktaş portion of Istanbul today. Started at their Four Seasons, to Brent’s school (Bahçeşehir University), the Dolmabahçe Palace, then back to Sultanahmet for the Grand Bazaar. Met Robert Pitman’s good friend, Hakan Evin who is a total treasure – great find; thanks, Robert.

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While Brent went to classes, I tried out a hamam, a Turkish bath, Çemberlitaş Hamam İşletmeciliği. We’re so lame; hard to beat dinner at my hotel, especially since the staff has fallen in love with Brent – completely charmed by his conversational Turkish.

(Community Matters) hmm, since Standard & Poor’s downgraded US debt – foreign deposits at the Fed have doubled from $350 billion to $715 billion and the dollar has appreciated 6.7%. Foreign demand for US assets continues to rise.

When they assigned a AAA to CDS’s, the world economy almost tanked. They are now holding municipalities hostage, raising fees at ridiculous rates. Talk about a bad brand . . .

(Community Matters) In Hong Kong, it’s The Flying Pan; in Waikiki, it’s Eggs ‘n Things; Reçel Türevleri stands out even among them – best breakfast in Istanbul*. The most artistically presented breakfast in a minimalist designed restaurant with Janis Joplin playing (though I did also spot a Edith Piaf CD – hope they’re playing this tomorrow; I’m headed back).

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The freshest, most delightful breakfast I’ve enjoyed in a very long time. Over 40 homemade jams (made by owner Türev Uludağ’s mother) – once we got talking, Firat Akbuş (Türev’s assistant & close friend) ran up to the mother’s apartment so we could taste her Turkish salsa (omg). Tomatoes are from their garden. They make a vegetable paste – which looks strangely like refried pinto beans – of bread, tomato puree, hot peppers and spices; its taste on fresh bread is indescribable other than simply delicious. Fresh squeezed juices, of course.

Recel Turevleri is at Sinapasa Besiktas Turkey, 134100 Besiktas

0 212 227 4477

*yeah, I know very limited sample size – sue me

(Community Matters) My first full day in Istanbul, Brent & I engaged a guide to show us through the old city of Istanbul, Sultanahmet. We saw the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (aka the Blue Mosque), the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace and the Spice Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, so to our misfortune, our guide took us to the Istanbul Handicraft Center for a “lecture” on Turkish rug history and exhibitions (ugh, horrible, liars). Later, to watch Whirling Dervishes then dinner at my hotel.

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