A couple of Turkish hillbillies in Constantinople playing the fiddle and the oud on a street near Taksim Square. 

This is the interior of Agia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in Constantinople. It is beyond my ability to describe. It is around 1400 years old, and is huge, as you can see in this shot. At one time it was literally covered with mosaic icons, but the turks destroyed most of them. The scaffolding on the right is part of the restoration work that is taking place. This is just one small portion of the interior. 

This is a mosaic icon of The Lord Jesus Christ which is in the 5th-7th century Orthodox Christian cathedral "Agia Sophia" in Constantinople. Thousands of small pieces of colored glass were used in this one and dozens of others in the Church. Today, after the Turkish domination, the building is a museum. However, this icon tells me something different... 

Oh no, Bud, those old movies were in color; living color, my friend. The Greeks invented color motion pictures (along with popsicles, baseball, japanese woodblock prints, etc.) over 2000 years ago, just ask them. No, really, just ask them...

Soon we will be welcoming a new member to the blog from the Boston branch of the RGNC, and his name is Joe Distefano. Joe is originally from o-HI-oe, a.k.a. O-H-10, a.k.a. Ohio. He is a top notch guitar player, singer, what have you. Joe and I go back a long ways. We met when we were both voluntary inpatients at a nuthouse of small reknown, and we swore that if one of us ever made it out and hit it big, we would come back for the other. But, since that never happened, we just hang out and mope around and do a few gigs in Beantown from time to time. I like Joe. He's bitter, acerbic, cranky, and old enough to be called "Mister", so we have all of that in common and it makes for good war stories. Welcome to the blog, Joeberto.

Yeah....those bus shots. It sure is difficult to really capture the moment when hurtling down the road. Because of the blur, it is hard to tell, but I suspect that as old as that place appears to be, they probably only showed black and white movies.

Be happy and careful

This is an ancient ruin of a byzantine era drive in theater. One of my "from the road" series, shot from the bus. 

This is the monastery of Vatopedi on Mt. Athos in the part of Greece called Macedonia. Its about a 1,000 years old, and this is just 1 corner of it. Obviously, its right next to the ocean. I was there for 5 days. Good food, lots of Church services, a little work, and...good homemade "raki" a.k.a. Greek moonshine. There are 20 large monasteries like this on Mt. Athos, which is the largest wilderness area left in Europe. The mountain itself rises over 6,600' up out of the ocean, and has snow on the top. Its an amazing place full of some hard-core believers. They don't mess around with it, they grow all their food, heat with wood, and to avoid the best/worst distraction there is: no women allowed! Its actually a law. You even have to get an invitation from a monastery just to visit. I was able to meet and talk with some monks from the USA. Most of the guys are from Greece, Russia, Serbia, Romania, USA, Australia, etc. Some of them live way out in the sticks, up on cliffs above the ocean, or hiding up on the mountain somewhere. I want to go back and visit again. 

Pretty incredible stuff there. Not your typical touristy photos, fer sure. At the risk of blinding folks nearby with the glare off my bald head, my hats off to you, Mark, for bringing us back some stunning images of another world, not just distance-wise, but from a time perspective as well. I reckon my upcoming vacation will be pretty modest in comparison. We are going to Nashville, which is where all the famous Branson performers used to live. I suspect the onliest old temple I will visit will be the Ryman Auditorium. However, we plan on trying to grab a bit of live entertainment down to the Station Inn. Smoke free these days. Nice. In the spirit of travel and adventure, I have slipped in a new Mystery Link over to the right, here. Number 9 to be exact. Number 9, number 9, number 9. Interesting work these folks are doing, and fer a durn good cause, too.

Please keep in mind this ain't no tennis match. More folks is welcome to play than just Mark and ole Bud, here. Fire up yer PC, wireless palm device, web-enabled cell phone or some other means of electronic textual communication and send forth some content. It has been proven to be quite painless. Not quite as satisfyin' as pie and a cup, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Be happy and careful

Thank you for the clarification, Mr. L. Now, for a change of pace and for your due consideration, this is St. Paul's jail cell in Phillipi, near present day Kavala in N.E. Greece. 

CORRECTION! CORRECTION! My previous message referenced Mark's most recent image. However, since he has recently provided a more recent image than the recent one that I recently referenced, my reference to his recent image is no longer correct. I intended to reference the image that preceded the most recent image, therefore making the image that I referenced the next to most recent image. Although, the most recent image, which is not the one I referenced, does refer to some dining establishment, which has very little to do with the dining establishments I referenced in the next to most recent image.

Be happy and careful (what you reference)

You might want to check your roll of fillum there, buddy. I could swear that the most recent image you have presented here was taken in the southwest corner, behind the counter at the old Casper's Chili parlor on Glenstone, just a spell down the road from Sunshine. One of the dining icon's of Springburg in years past, along with Martha's, Red's Giant Hamburg, and Pappy's. You folks feel free to add to or correct this list as you see fit. I suppose, Mr. Mark, it is possible that, in this cosmic entity through which we are travelling, similar tints and tastes exist in more than one place. Heck, you done proved that Arkansas ain't the only place that folks create monuments with deceased vehicles. Wonder have they heard of trailers, er uh, mobile homes yonder? We might start a cultural revolution over there. I reckon I have filled enough white space for one day.

Mr. Wilson, Mr. Graham - Please take just a moment from your admittedly hectic schedules to send a line. Looks like we need to issue an APB for Brian. The time for the gathering of the clan draws nigh. Until then,

Be happy and careful.

This is a shot of one of the common scenes found along The Streets of Constantinople, which is not to be confused with The Streets of San Francisco. You thought Karl Malden looked old and out of shape running up the hill on Union Blvd. in SF? Hah! Thats kid stuff compared to the cobblestone inclines of ol' Constantine's town! I can picture it now: Malden out of breath, down on all fours, chasing some petty thief through the back alleys and sideways. Suddenly, he gets a stunned look on his face as he clutches his chest because...he has seen across the street a bulgatsa shop which is having a 2 for 1 sale, and frankly, KM loves the bulgatsa (a delicious turkish pastry of philo dough filled with warm custard!) even more than he loves fighting crime...so, short story made long, he abandons the chase and decides to instead take advantage of the sale price, and he orders a coffee (turkish, of course) and eats 3-5 bulgatsa. End of story.  

Due to the underwhelming response to my previous photographic offerings, I feel compelled to try again to beat the dead horse which is the RGNC membership. This is a snotty abstract shot from the streets of Constantinople/Istanbul. You call it Constantinople if you're talking to Greeks, and Istanbul if you're talking to Turks. Its a situation where you really don't want to get on the bad side of either group, or caught between them in a fight either, for that matter. Lets just say that, historically speaking, they haven't been exactly the closest of friends. However, things are fairly civil between them today for the most part. And that...is the inspiration for this beautiful composition which...stresses the harmony between...the different shades of orange, as well as the harmony between different shades of people. Yeah, that's it. Yep, its art and social commentary at the same time. And it's available for purchase. I charge by the pixel, phone now for details, operators are standing by, or will be after they finish their smoke break. 

Yes, there are Greek hillbillies. This is the front yard of my friend Pete's relatives on the island of Kefalonia (which is incredible). He was genuinely thrilled when I initiated him into the Royal Order of Hill Williams on the spot after coming across this fine display. 

This is sunrise the following morning at St. Stefanos Monastery, viewed from the rose garden. The rail in front is the only thing keeping you from the town below. 

This is another view from the monastery at sunset during Vespers. I went out to get some fresh air and got this shot of the light coming through the clouds behind the bell tower. This is above the town of Kalambaka. It's just one of those places, what can I tell you... 

This is a scene from a group of monasteries in Central Greece, called Meteora, near the town of Kalambaka. I was there for 4 days and these places are about 400 or 500 feet up sheer rock cliffs, which is what gives such a great view of the valley. 

This will be a second attempt to notify all 2 of you that I am indeed back on the premises of the U.S.A. I tried to blog yesterday when I got back, but it hasn't posted yet in spite of the "you have published succesfully" message I got afterwards. Anyone else (as in Bud L.) having any problems? By the way, I have to agree with B.L. that things have been a little lacking at the pig roast lately. Whats up? You people got broke arms? Snap out of it!!! Knock it off!!! Blog or cut bait!!!
I'll post a few select photos over the next few days, so you want to stick around for that. Many of them were well focused and contain at least a hint of subject matter.
more later, be good!