Category Archives: Views
Travel In Turkey: What To See, Do And Eat In Istanbul
What to do
● What was founded as the Byzantine emperor Justinian’s 6th-century church has ballooned over aeons into the Hagia Sophia. Now a mosque, it’s a gargantuan spectacle. Enter and in the spiritual gloom a magnificence develops, daylight angling through windows in the galactic dome light years above. Remarkably there is even runic graffiti, carved by a mercenary from the Viking age (free; muze.gen.tr).
● Allocate a day to explore Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans built in 1459 by Mehmet the Conqueror, who grabbed Constantinople from the fading Byzantines. Chamber after chamber reveals military regalia and priceless gifts from dynasties as far away as China. The Bosphorus views are magnificent and the emerald lawns are made for lounging on (£20, includes harem access; muze.gen.tr).
● The Ecumenical Patriarch, spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide, resides at the Patriarchate of Constantinople, a serene neoclassical complex in Fener district, above the waters of the Golden Horn creek. Join global pilgrims in the glittery cathedral aisles and witness, perhaps, the divine liturgy or, later, vespers — black-clad, scented and seductively mystic (free; ec-patr.org).
● We associate art nouveau with Paris and Budapest, but in the twilight years of the Ottomans it flourished in Istanbul. Casa Botter (originally Botter Apartmani), built on Istiklal Caddesi at the turn of the 20th century for a tailor to Sultan Abdul Hamid, was the city’s first example. After decades of neglect it’s now a must-visit art gallery and, façade-wise, a real kooky looker, chiselled and Viennese-ornate (free; Instagram @casabotter).
The New York Times — Monday, Sept 11, 2023
In Quake-Battered Mountains, Many Moroccans Must Fend for Themselves
In a critical period for search-and-rescue teams, the Moroccan government has given few updates about its response and the scope of the destruction.
Biden Forges Deeper Ties With Vietnam as China’s Ambition Mounts
Visiting Hanoi, the president cemented a new strategic partnership that puts the memories of the past behind them and focuses on mutual concerns over Beijing’s assertiveness in the region.
Spain’s Top Soccer Official Resigns Over Unwanted World Cup Kiss
Pressure had been building on Luis Rubiales, with prosecutors opening an investigation, his soccer federation calling for him to step down and FIFA suspending him.
In Post-Roe America, Nikki Haley Seeks a New Path on Abortion for G.O.P.
In crafting an anti-abortion message that doesn’t alienate moderate Republicans and swing voters, her approach has won both supporters and detractors.
Travel Guide: The Top Ten Places To Visit In Iceland
Travel: A Tour Of Old Town Havana, Cuba (4K)
The New York Times — Sunday, Sept 10, 2023
Powerful Earthquake Shakes Morocco, Killing More Than 2,000
The quake, centered in the mountains just outside of Marrakesh, was the strongest to hit that area in a century. “It didn’t last long, but felt like years,” said one woman who lives near the epicenter.
After Prigozhin’s Death, a High-Stakes Scramble for His Empire
A shadowy fight is playing out on three continents for control of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s sprawling interests as head of the Wagner mercenary group. The biggest prize: his lucrative operations in Africa.
President Biden Keeps Hunter Close Despite the Political Peril
The possibility of a federal indictment of Hunter Biden stunned the president. Yet the bond between him and his only surviving son is ironclad.
Coco Gauff captures first major title with U.S. Open singles win.
Travel Tours: Bikepacking Into Northern Germany
Their weapon of choice: the brand new Brompton X Bear Grylls C Line. What a ride!
The New York Times — Saturday, Sept 9, 2023
Georgia Panel Recommended Charging Dozens, Including Lindsey Graham, in Trump Case
A special grand jury made the recommendation last year after hearing from dozens of witnesses on whether Donald J. Trump and his allies interfered in the 2020 election.
G.O.P. Gets the Democratic Border Crisis It Wanted
The strain of migrants in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities has taxed resources, divided Democrats and put pressure on President Biden to act.
The Orphans of Flight 723
A Vermont woman spent years tracking down men and women who lost their parents in the same 1973 plane crash. Would they answer her questions about loss?
At the U.S. Open, the Dwindling Ranks Leave Space and a Solitary Vibe
The U.S. Open begins with 128 players in each singles draw, and every day some will lose. Gradually, then suddenly, there’s a lot of space in the locker rooms.
Travel: A Walking Tour Of Hallstatt In Austria (8K)
Views: Favorite Birds Of Wildlife Photographers
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Anna’s Hummingbird, Calypte anna
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Photograph by Gretchen Kay Stuart
“I’ve always been enchanted by hummingbirds,” Stuart says. “Their tiny size and iridescent plumage make them seem as though they are born out of fairy tales.”
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Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus
Photograph by Melissa Groo
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The evening Grosbeak tends to hover north of Groo’s home in Central New York State. So she was delighted when a flock of them recently appeared outside her house. “When they roam further south in winter in search of food, I’ve been blessed with their presence, sometimes over months,” she says. “This past winter and into very early spring, I had a flock of up to 15 visiting my platform bird feeder daily, hoovering up black oil sunflower seeds.”
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Northern Pygmy-Owl, Glaucidium gnoma
Photograph by Gerrit Vyn
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In Western Oregon where Vyn lives, the tooting of the northern pygmy-owl is the sound of spring. “Even when you don’t see them, while hiking through the forest or sitting in a lush patch of sword ferns on the forest floor and looking up into the canopy, just knowing they are somewhere up there, watching, deepens the experience and magic of place,” he says.
Boomers Daily 