Winter arrived overnight in Almaty. I am reminded of some Tolkien Bilbo’s Song of Winter When winter first begins to bite and stones crack in the frosty night, when pools are black and trees are bare, ’tis evil in the Wild to fare. Here are two views from my apartment taken one week apart.
Category Archives: Travel
Free Money – for Peace of Mind, Books Galore, Tasha and I.
Being creative on low energy is either deep joy or hellish torture. Working twelve hours a day then writing a blog – I am a star. Yet it is time to look for something else, an alternative source of income so I can devote more time to creating Tall Stories – Fairy Hanny needs aContinue reading “Free Money – for Peace of Mind, Books Galore, Tasha and I.”
Police and Thieves (3)
So the third occasion I was robbed by the Police… Almaty; boozy night, walking home. Cross the street but didn’t quite get the lights right so had to run… … straight into the arms of the law! “Passport?” No Officer I don’t carry it because if I were to lose it I could be stuckContinue reading “Police and Thieves (3)”
Police and Thieves (2)
Almaty is just so gorgeous. The winter could have killed me but my skull seems to have the ability to withstand slapstick slips. The Police in Almaty fuck off in the cold weather. Dread the Spring! Walking home past the hoardings that carefully hid the Dostyk Plaza. Tap on the shoulder; a midget with aContinue reading “Police and Thieves (2)”
Police and Thieves (1)
Doha November 2008. Sensible drinking is highly recommended by governments everywhere. But they’d all be fucked without the tax from insensible drinking. Thursday night; bizarre weekend. It throws the lifetime of sociological habit to work Sunday to Thursday. Tell me about the money, honey. “Hey Swifty have you ever tried a Jägerbomb?” Any sensible personContinue reading “Police and Thieves (1)”
Istanbul 5. Istanbul Modern.
That sounds like a trick they might play in the Time Travellers show. Istanbul – City of History. Istanbul Modern. Actually it is the name of a Gallery housed in a massive container-like warehouse, showing off recent, sometimes controversial, works of Art. Whatever Art means! Last Christmas I was fortunate enough to be in Doha duringContinue reading “Istanbul 5. Istanbul Modern.”
Istanbul 4. Being the Tourist -Dolmabahçe Palace.
There comes a point in every city visit when you get the confidence to jump in a taxi and know where you’re going. Once I have my bearings I can tell if the driver of the said automotive hack will attempt to go from A to B via X, Y and Z; creating an ‘alternativeContinue reading “Istanbul 4. Being the Tourist -Dolmabahçe Palace.”
Tasha – now is the Autumn of our days.
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells WithContinue reading “Tasha – now is the Autumn of our days.”
A sunny day in Almaty
Monday afternoon walking through the City. First thing – the girls are so pretty! Mixed feelings at Panfilov Park. The Cathedral shone down on me – look at this. Great to have caught the reflection from the Cross just at the right moment. The Park also contains the War Memorial to Kazak men and womenContinue reading “A sunny day in Almaty”
Istanbul 3. Notes from a bar at Sultanahmet.
The old dog wandered wondering. What was he hoping for as he dodged across the road, avoiding cars, crazy motorcyclists and trams? Perhaps a tasty snack from the waiters at the Barron Ottoman? They stroked him. The kebab man cut, folded, served; ignored the old dog. He came my way though fish was not onContinue reading “Istanbul 3. Notes from a bar at Sultanahmet.”
Fairy Hanny 