Gary Visits from Saratoga Camera Club

While I waited to meet the group, I noticed the people setting up their 

booths to sell seed, to feed the pigeons outside the Yeni Camii

Our photography club was pleased to welcome Gary, who was visiting Istanbul with his wife, Ann. Gary belongs to Los Gatos - Saratoga Camera Club, and had contacted Jennifer, our leader, to see if he could join us on a trek. This was a great idea, as we were able to show Gary parts of Istanbul that most tourists never get to see.

We set off across the Galata Bridge to shoot the fishermen there

We came across this man selling live worms and shrimp for bait

This woman was selling buns, called poaça, to the hungry fishermen

Once on the other side of the bridge in Karaköy, I took a photo of

Farzana taking a photo of this simit seller

We visited a baklava bakery, and this waiter was eager to show us a 

tray of baklava, decorated to show Barak Obama.

Here is a close-up, so you can see the work 

that went into the decoration

We visited a Russian Othodox Church on the 5th floor of a building.

From the window, we could see other churches on the tops of buildings

We were surprised to see a Turkish Orthodox church. 

I hadn't realised they existed until now.

In one narrow street, we came across this street dog that had 

made itself comfortable on an armchair in the street

Ieva was good enough to model for us, so we could practise portrait shots...

...and jumping shots

We ended by walking along Istiklal, and back down to Karaköy

This musician was very accommodating, 

and didn't mind us taking photgraphs of him

I certainly enjoyed my day, and I hope Gary did too. I think he had an excellent idea in contacting our group. It's something to consider when I am in foreign parts myself!