While I have been working primarily on my travel writing, developing a photographer’s eye is also an important goal for me and for my blog.  I am always looking for images that represent the place that I’m visiting while also focusing on subjects that have some significance for me.

Some cities, like Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Venice, make it easy.  You can take an amazing picture simply by dropping your camera on the ground. On a recent trip, I found that Istanbul can be added to that group of cities.  Here are some of my favorite shots from this city on the Bosphorus.

Some Street Art that Made me Laugh:

A hotdog with an attitude and a beach ball??

Some things are just universal…

The Blue Mosque & the Hagia Sofia are both stunning, inside and out:

The Blue Mosque from a roof top restaurant

Intricate dome inside the Blue Mosque

When I was a kid, I would sit at the back of the church and goof off…guess the same goes for kids in mosques.

Interior of the Hagia Sophia

The glint of gold and the detailed mosaics were just stunning in the Hagia Sophia

Ancient, but well preserved mosaic at Hagia Sophia

One day I stumbled across a children’s parade and was rewarded by tons of photogenic, picture happy kids:

In Istanbul the food and drink were fresh, reasonably priced and delicious:

Start the morning off with Simit – great food for on the go at about $0.50 a pop.

Fresh fruit juices are everywhere

There’s never a shortage of seafood in Istanbul

I will take Death by Baklava over Death by Chocolate any day

Plenty of choices at the Spice Market

Dinner at a traditional Mehane restaurant – Tapas Turkish style

Coffe done right – dark and strong Turkish coffee

The Street dogs and cats were fed and cared for by the government and the neighbors: 

The little kitten that wandered into our youth hostel

I couldn’t resist the eyes – I think I shared half of my lunch with this cat

Spring-time in Istanbul means lots of little kittens and puppies, though the dogs at least are “fixed” by the government.

I’ll wrap up with photos from one of the best cafes I’ve come across in my travels – wish I’d found it before my last day in Istanbul (Cafe Karabatak Karakoy):

Little accents of flowers all over the shop

Spacious, chill and lots of open windows…plus Free WiFi!

Everything was just delicious on the Turkish Breakfast platter