Our last day in Istanbul

Today was our last full day in Istanbul and it was well spent.

In the morning we went to Ermigan, the site of a wonderful, huge park that also annually offers a tulip festival, in April. While there, we saw a new exhibit called The 1001 Faces of Orientalism. The title of the exhibit plays off the 1001 Nights stories, and documents the development of " Orientalism", as a form of art, as a major force shaping European and US culture, and also, of course, as a complex ideology that denies the many accomplishments of the East, while exalting its external features and exocitizing its inhabitants. The exhibit included historical documents, photos, movie clips, paintings, clothing and many other pieces attesting to the complex relations within Orientalism.

Afterwards, we got to enjoy the park and had a final afternoon off. I went to visit Istanbul Modern, a wonderful art museum by the Bosphorus. In the evening, we had our final dinner together and said goodbye to our guide Ali and our driver, Mehmet.

We leave for the airport tomorrow morning and will have long flight back to Pittsburgh. The trip has been wonderful- a great group of people, most of whom did not know each other beforehand,  but had a great time together. Thanks to everyone for participating and for  Nicole for organizing the trip!

I look forward to more postings when we get back - access should be easier and I know there will be many more pictures.