Last week I threw caution to the wind and flew up to Istanbul for an all-nighter. Ben l’Oncle Soul does not often play small rooms, so I had to take advantage of the fact that he was at Babylon. Wonderful venue, wonderful music, wonderful night.

The best time of year for shots from the sky.

I couldn’t resist stopping by Ara Güler’s place, like a crazy stalker. If you’re not familiar with Güler’s work, it’s time to get with it.

I’m really glad these pieces don’t get covered up. I think they add to the character of the city.

I thought this was a pretty clever idea, and lovely to look at.

If this seems like a blatant ad for Krispy Kreme, so be it. I was disappointed not to find any branches in Minnesota… luckily Krispy Kreme is alive and well in Istanbul.

It snowed overnight, but it was so windy that by the time I woke up in the morning, most of it had blown down to the ground.

The Central Palace Hotel. Personally, I loved it. Modern convenience with Late Ottoman overtones.

So much energy and motion.

So many good places to eat and drink in Istanbul.

Perhaps the most famous intersection in Turkey.

I’d never seen a pumpkin carved that way before.

The most expensive drinks on the strip, but also the best view.

The church of St. Antoine (St. Anthony of Padua), a slice of tranquility in busy Beyoğlu.

One little side street of a million little side streets, each with a great variety of things going on.

Such creativity with neon.

You can’t go wrong with a sign like that.

I’m heading out on the road again today, celebratory as usual.

Ski lodges… apparently still celebrating the holidays in February. Works for me.

Peek-a-boo courtesy of Mahogany. It’s bright red.

The border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. I got the feeling that the locals don’t find this area as beautiful as I did.

I only just got around to uploading these a few days ago. What a great city.

One of the most bizarre cloud formations I’ve seen in a while.

Travelling home.

I couldn’t help but make a little nonaptych of my Minnesota Hipstamatic photos. What a great state.

Just some of the fantastic holiday offerings.

What a beautiful venue for a wedding.

Equally impressive during the day.

Glory in neon.