A TRANQUIL OASIS IN THE BUSTLING CENTRE OF AMSTERDAM

Last week, I left Lisbon for a while and re-visited Amsterdam, a city where my eyes always get delighted.

One day, I found myself in a beautiful landscaped courtyard surrounded by houses. The street noise, the traffic, the rumble of the trains, the crowd - all gone. I was in a broad and peaceful courtyard and, I swear, it was like the wooden door I had stepped through, had carried me three centuries into the past. So, that was, then, the Begijnhof, an oasis of calm in the heart of the frantic city.

A brick path lined with a dozen lovely two- and three- and four-story brick houses on the left, opened on the right for about 50 yards, at which point it curved right and lost itself behind a pretty country church with a tall brick bell tower capped with slate.

.Dazed by the unexpected quietness, I started down the path. There was a bulky metal sculpture on my right and though there were other people out and about, there was still an air of respectful silence. I would have had the illusion the entire place was there to myself, otherwise. It was such a relaxing spot, such an idyllic place to be. With what I’m sure must have been a sappy sort of grin on my face, I strolled around the perimeter of the central green, soaking up the atmosphere of autumn.

The houses were beautiful, each with its little garden and its gauzy white curtains behind white-trimmed windows. Pretty fancy.

The housing and the church were very well preserved. The place was founded in 1346 for the members of a Catholic sisterhood. One of the houses was a 15th century example of a wooden construction and the others dated from 17th and 18th centuries. Lonely old single women live in the place and have special assistance.

As I had pushed open the wooden door and set foot into that oasis I had no idea at all what had been waiting for me within the walls of the Begijnhof. I liked what I visited and revisited of Amsterdam, but I liked it in that quiet oasis a lot better.

Thank you!

THE TOWER THAT MARKS THE GENOESE PRESENCE IN THE THEN CONSTANTINOPLE

On the second half of the 13th century the Genoeses were confined to a hill north of the Golden Horn in Constantinople named Galata, where they built up a huge tower (Galata Tower) that was the city's tallest structure at that time. 

After the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, the tower became a prison and naval depot. During the 19th century it was a fire lookout post in order to quickly detect frequent fire outbreaks in the city’s mainly wooden houses.

In 1967, after three years of restoration, the Galata Tower reopened its doors. The present tower has been restored to the appearance it had under the reign of Mehmet II during the Ottoman Empire.

The cone-capped tower still dominates the Istanbul skyline, being one of its landmarks. 

The Genoeses traded mainly on slaves, grain and dried fruits and supplied the Christians as well as the Muslim enemy.

Thank you!

MEANDERING VERSUS RIGHT ANGLES

Meandros (Meandering river) is on the west coast of Asia Minor near Miletus and Prienne, two great cities built in the 5th century BC whose street design was based on right angles system. This urban planning was created by Hipodamus of Miletus. 

The river winds along the lowlands towards the Mediterraneum. This is why people use the word meandering to mean the twisting and turning movement. 

         

Nearby I also visited the Greek city of Didim and the surprising Apollo temple with its big columns and a medusa with a gentle face.

Thank you!

BRINGING THE FAR PAST TIME TO PRESENT DAY

I always like revisiting countries, regions, places that have impressed me at the first sight.

In July, I travelled for my second time to Ephesus, the great metropolis and Roman capital of Asia Minor, now Turkey. At that time, Ephesus had a population around 250,000 inhabitants.
It's amazing how despite the passing of the time, the city is the best preserved Greco-Roman city we can see in Turkey.

 One day, I was caught by surprise when I set my eyes on three young women standing out from the crowd of tourists. 

Why?

 Because they were wearing Roman attires. 

As they were walking towards the magnificent theatre, I started imagining that most probably they were going to take part in a debate of public interest, which would be held in that structure with a capacity of 25,000 seats, making it be the largest in Anatolia.

My imagination took me back to the the year 100 BC. What would then be the subject of the discussion? Perhaps the construction of new fountains at some strategic points. It was believed that the sounds of trickling water fountains had calm healing effects. Do you think that belief made sense?

 Thank you!

May you have a wonderful weekend!

TWO IN ONE....

For professional reasons, recently I had to fly to Brussels where I stayed for one week long, enough time to have some free time after my hours of work.

When I arrived it was snowing and so was it when I took off. Amazing to me, considering that I live in a city that never sees snow.

 

I didn't get disappointed with the hotel I had booked online. I always do it and so far so good... It was comfortable and with an excellent location.

 

I was surprised by the large community of muslems that lives over there, mainly in the Gare du Midi area. Hardly could I believe my eyes as they set on a hamman with sepparate entrances for both men and women. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any shot as I had fear of getting in trouble if I had pointed my camera at it.

On Saturday, late in the afternoon, Le Grand Sablon Square, where a flea market had been held, was not crowded at all. The dismantling of the stalls had been almost concluded. 

 

 

By contrast, some of the many chocolate stores were crowded. Even though, I didn't see fat people. Perhaps they have some secret to keep slim, despite eating chocolates.

 

A bar-restaurant, at which the late surrealist Magritte and his artist fellows gathered frequently, was the highlight of my stay. I will never forget that delicious  hot chocolate I had there together with a Belgian friend.