Cathy Queen of Cameras

in our neighborhood here in Dublin.  What a pleasure to deal with an incredibly competent, sweet person in a family-run business, John Gunn's Camera Shop. 

Cathy won the prize for getting me out of the dumps by praising how much I use my camera :) and stating that the breakage of my 5 year old 18-55 stock Canon lens was not unexpected.  So she gave me what she wanted for a while anyway - an 18-135 zoom lens.  Wow.  Now when we can't read something, the camera can.  And wait til you see the new pictures!

Here's Cathy

and here's Cathy with her Dad, John Gunn (and yes, a third generation of Gunns is visible here - Cathy's third son and John's *tenth* grandchild (he has other children])! 

There are any other family members in the shop, including Mrs. John Gunn, "the one who keeps it all together" and Cathy's sister.  They escaped the photoblogger.  Thanks, all!

Our guide to Dublin, Kevin

Here with Rowan in Newbridge, County Kildare.  So, the amazing thing about Kevn is that we met him and his partner, Bernadette, in Chiang Mai, Thailand over New Years.  Then we ran into them in the Istanbul airport on August 8th, and we were all on the way to Dublin.  Kevin is from Dublin, and Bernadette is from Newbridge, County Kildare.  They are the most incredible hosts.  It is so nice to have friends in a city, and totally unexpected.  Thanks to you both!  Picture of Bernadette, body worker extraordinaire, to follow...

A beautiful lunch in Istanbul

Look at the art!  At Divane A restaurant, air-conditioned!  (ahh)

Jack and Barbara, companions on our Bosphorus River Cruise, Istanbul

Great couple from California - we had great talks about everythig as we cruised the cool River Bosphorus in Istanbul - Gallery to come!

Oasis - the Ritz in Istanbul

OK, so I was seeking a meeting place that I never found yesterday in the 32 degree (90 degrees for our US compatriots).  Wandering in the highest heat of the day, where there was no shade.  As I lost it, I found -- the Ritz!

And so I said to myself, you need a break.  So I went into the Ritz, where they said, oh so graciously, "Welcome back!" 

I was lucky to find a beautiful Lobby Lounge with a view to die for of the Bosphorus

and a beautiful array of wonderful tings for the very weary traveler - my non-alcoholic virgin ice blended pina colada, nuts and olives and tortilla chips, ice cold wet towel, ice water, all accompanied by the giant venti Starbucks decaf latte that had accompanied me for the hour spent lost in the Taxsim section of Istanbul.  Wow, what a spread!

all provided with an incredible amount of care by Alper, the star of the Ritz.  Thanks so much, Alper -- you are the best!