Images from a Broad

My clear sign - the very clear message I received after asking if I was crazy to embark on my year abroad.

the second sign, fifteen minutes after the first.

The reception room to the women’s quarters in the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul.

The sultan’s reception room in the women’s quarters.

Nakshidil’s tomb near the Blue Mosque in the first stage of restoration.

Nakshidil’s tomb being restored.

an ancient house built into the mountain on Ikaria.

At the Acropolis with Nikos for my whirlwind tour of Athens. Note the ancient Roman coin around my neck that will be ripped from my neck seven months later in Palermo.

umbrellas float over the narrow streets of the seaside town of Pula, Sardinia.

my darkly-tanned foot in Pula

ancient mother goddesses predate Christianity by more than 1000 years. Note the striking similarity to the Christian cross and crucifix.

Sella diavola, Poetto Beach, Cagliari, Sardina

Pasta Nero con Cozze is squid ink pasta with fresh mussels and tomatoes

An on-going pagan ritual that pre-dates Christianity by more than one thousand years in the Sardinian region known as Barbagia.

Piazza San Domenico, Cagliari, Sardinia. Tables outside Bar Florio, one of my favorite hangouts in Cagliari, Sardinia

The umbrellas of Pula - colorful umbrellas strung over the narrow streets of the seaside town of Pula, Sardinia.

Bronze Age statuettes from Sardinia - These ancient statuettes are some of the oldest ever discovered in Italy

ancient beautifully crafted pieces reminiscent of Ancient Rome, unearthed in Cagliari now residing in the Archeological Museum.

an ancient gold necklace more than 2000 years-old in Cagliari's Archeological Museum.

Antica Cafe, Cagliari, Sardinia. the evening aperitivo at Antica Cafe

a basket sends goodies between buildings in Cagliari, Sardinia.

The famous weaver, one hundred-four-year old Yaya (grandmother) on Ikaria.

Meditating after twenty minutes in the radio active hot spring in the Ionian Sea, Ikaria, Greece.

The metal rack that stabbed me in Istanbul.

my Mexican feast for friends David Kahn, and chef/cookbook author Diane Kochilis and her husband on Ikaria.

With my guide, Lemika, at the first gate of Topkapi Palace, Istanbul.

My ridiculous big, red Christmas bow tee shirt!

My surprise Christmas present, Mauro.