Book 25: ACTUAL SIZE

BLACK LEATHER JACKET

A cousin of Momo’s from Afghanistan, working the Grand Bazaar.

RAFI IN CIHANGIR

Hey, Rafi! If you’re out there… I have no recollection of doing this drawing! Where was it? Thanks…

THE TRAIN AGENT

*-The agent who sells me my train tickets to Plovdiv. -The old Orient Express station in Sirkeci -TriciVenola ©2010*

Off to Bulgaria again on a visa run. Akif here was always a prince. Hope he’s enjoying his retirement.

AKIF AT THE TRAIN STATION

This is the old Sirkeci Train Station featured in Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.” Christie used this train station, but the one in the famous 1974 movie, while identical, is in Paris. I had to leave every three months for Bulgaria to renew my visa. It was always a trial, and I grew quite fond of Akif as he was always a help. The train station is now a museum.

A PAUSE ON THE BRIDGE

-Half a loaf…A dreadful day of effort with no results- then I finally got my ticket, came out in Sirkeci to see Yeni Mosque filing the end of the street against a pink sky- and then, from the bridge, Suleymniye transparent against the bright twilight- Amber lights &sky. I ate pilaf from a vendor, standing and marveling still that I am here. -TriciVenola ©2010

SNOW CAFE IN PLOVDIV

*-While outside the world turns white -Everytime I come there’s more English -Snow picks up outside while I draw the same characters from trips of yore. -TriciVenola ©2010*

Back in Plovdiv for my visa run, at my favorite cafe with the trees growing up through the roof. This time the ice was so fierce, and my old boots so slick, that I couldn’t venture far from the cafe.

AN ICE CHURCH

-My old friends the statues in the park are all hoary with snow- It’s gorgeous but dangerous out there- Forced to take refuge in a smoky cafe with awful music -I want to be in the Old City -But too slippery out there -Little dramas of motion as everything quivers to stay alive in their relentless beautiful white.
*-Here’s a candle for you, Faye, &one for Daddy- It’s too snowy to get up to St Helena’s like I planned- So an ice church in the trees -TriciVenola ©2010*

Marooned in the snow, I couldn’t light candles for my loved departed, so made do with a drawing.

SELF PORTRAIT: SNOWING IN PLOVDIV

*-Trapped all day in a cafe by too-slick boots- nothing to do but draw everything there in the mirror. Snowed in in Plovdiv on Daddy’s Birthday Feb 6 -2010 (1918-1997 sigh) TriciVenola ©2010*

SEREF AT COCOON

Famed tribal arts dealer Seref and a piece of fancy stitching.

TRIPLE WINDOW

Holy Trinity windows: The radiating brickwork, said the Byzantines, represents the Divine Radiance emanating from the church, while the two pillars of the window are SS Peter and Paul holding it up.

THE BIGGEST NOSE IN THE WORLD

*-Çok büyük burun! -On the Tunel Funicular 3 March -TriciVenola ©2010*

I kid you not.