From Datça, Osman's Photo Exhibition to Italy

Oh yeah!!! Travelling is what I do for living but I like to travel also for pleasure, without groups, just for myself. I always loved it, did it when I had time and money and still doing whenever I can.
My first trip was with Osman, for his photo exhibition in DATÇA. Datça as I have been writing in my previous posts is a wonderful area of Turkey. It's very close to the point where Mediterranean meets Aegean Sea. All peninsula has a very strong energy flow, I could feel it all the time that I was there. So spending some days there has been definitely very rewarding in every sense of the word.
The exhibition was very good. The opening cocktail was very nice and simple. Wine and local fruits, nice people interested in arts, local authorities like the mayor of Datça added a lot of meaning to our important day.
One of the most beautiful moments of the opening was the speech given by the very much loved and respected painter Mr. İbrahim Çitftioğlu. Mr. Çiftçioğlu, explained the difference between taking pictures and being a PHOTOGRAPHER as an artist... Boy!!! That was a very good speech!!! I simply love Mr. Çiftçioğlu and love his art too!!!

This is Osman Erk

Mr. Çiftçioğlu giving his speech

Osman giving his speech

Osman signing his book 

Listening to Mr. Çiftçioğlu

So that has been a wonderful day. We enjoyed every moment of it... 

My second trip was to Italy. Where exactly? We went to Tuscany and Umbria, we stayed in small medieval towns in Umbria. We stayed in a typical Tuscan farm house for the wedding of Osman's friend daughter. That was magical. A ''dream come true'' for me. I will post some photos from those beautiful days later.  

Osman Erk's Photo Exhibition

The countdown has already started! The big day is approaching and I am getting excited day by day. Osman, my significant other, is a photographer. Although he doesn't call himself an ''artist'',  I know he is a very good one and he has a wonderful eye!!! I am very much fond of his art. And this summer, is going to be a special one because he is opening a photo exhibition at UKKSA, near the wonderful town of DATÇA.
UKKSA is an International Art Academy in one of the most beautiful regions of Turkey. That's the place where Egean Sea meets Mediterranean. That's the place where the city called KNIDOS was born. And the whole area is one of the last secluded places in western Turkey. The nature still keeps its wilderness. You still can HEAR THE SİLENCE flowing between the almond trees that cover all the hills. And I simply love the place!
The funny thing is that, when we were there, in DATÇA, in autumn of the last year, we didn't have any idea that such academy existed! While driving around, we ended up in front of this incredible sculpture garden, that proved to be the fruit of a refined taste. But we didn't know who the people were and what the garden was. The first time we saw the garden, we didn't have time to stop and explore it because I was determined to catch the sunset in ancient KNIDOS. On our way back, we drove past again the garden. But this time it was late and dark. So we said, OK NEXT TİME!!! By saying next time we meant next year... BUT GOD had other plans! So the next day, driving again, I chose another road. We drove along the coast and after that I decided to take another smaller road which seemed to be a shortcut. Yes it was!!! And it took us directly in front of the sculpture garden AGAIN!!! We HAD TO STOP this time!!! That was a kind of sign! And we did stop there. While visiting the place and taking pictures of the modern sculptures placed in the garden, we could hear BACH's Cello Suits, from some of the workshops inside. Perfect!!! Nature, art and Bach!!! I fell in love with the place that moment. And told Osman: I can live here forever! BUT that was not the end! The real surprise came after that! The founder of UKKSA happened to be one of the old friends of Osman!!! And he was there! So you can fill in the rest!!!
If you want to know more about UKSSA and the organizations go to  http://ukksakademi.com/
Osman's Exhibition is going to be between June 15th-30th. The subject is ''LINES'' ...
We are excited...And happy!!! Which is more important!!! 

New York Impressions

Two weeks ago I was in New York. It was a beautiful ''spring city''... Coldish... But still, I loved it... I took some pictures with my iphone and then put it on instagram. I know that now instagram photos are considered art too so I want to share here, some of those pictures... I will label them PHOTOS... So anyone interested, can look them up directly there. 

While I was there, I had nice walks in the mighty Central Park. In a city, where every square feet is a piece of diamond, leaving so much space for just recreation, is a true miracle...Every time I go to this wonderful park, I congratulate every soul who contributes to have such a paradise... So the next two pictures are from my moments in the CENTRAL PARK.

                As you see, the soucer magnolias and white cherry blossoms were amazing!!!


Then one evening I went to Metropolitan Opera, to see RIGOLETTO. Definitely one of the most performed operas in the world and being there again, in the MET, was another gift of my professional life. So the next one, is an impression form the MET...

And the spring bouquets were everywhere... Like this one from the famous MERCER KİTCHEN in SOHO...

One of the well hidden surprises of New York is BURGER JOINT inside the very chic Le Meridien Parker Hotel on 57th Street. Once you enter into the hotel lobby, you find yourself in one of the very elegant and trendy places of the city but that is NOT the surprise. To find what you are looking for, you must follow the red velvet curtain. Really! There is a wall covered with a huge red curtain. So you follow that route to find one of the best places for burgers... And the juicy burgers, home made, old fashioned fries with ice cold beer makes your day. So the last one is from the walls of Burger Joint...