I’ve traveled from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side and back again, and I’ve seen signs of spring in all
its glory everywhere I look.
Trees
are blossoming with white and pale pink flowers.
A
few daffodils are blooming near the Dolmabahçe Palace.
Then, last week I happened to stroll by the Ihlamur
Kasrı (Pavilion of the Linden Tree) in Beşiktaş,
and I saw the tulip (lale) trees in
the park. The trees’ pretty pink buds are just starting to open, which seems a bit
earlier than last year. (I took similar photos last April in the park.)
That
may be because we’ve had a fairly mild winter here except for a few snowfalls that
blanketed Sultanahmet and the rest of the city as you can see in this photo
post: Istanbul
Covered in Snow in Instagram Photos.
 |
| This park may be small, but it's a delight to walk through. |
I
love the flowers, but my allergies don’t. For the last week or so, I’ve had
itchy, watery eyes and I’m often sneezing. Such is the price I pay for
springtime beauty.
Oh
well.
I
can’t stay cooped up in our apartment. The weather here really has been
gorgeous with a little springtime rain here and there. I’ll take the rain and early
blossoms over snow any day!
If
you’re in Istanbul, get out there and enjoy spotting the flowers around the
city like I have.
 |
| A Turkish cat sunning herself against the vibrant turquoise background. |
 |
| The peacocks have returned to the park in Beşiktaş. |
 |
| More lale blooms in the park. |
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| Purple wildflowers spotted around the city. |
12 comments:
Great to know that spring has arrived here, and I love your photos. I think the tulips will be out soon too. Perhaps it's time for a visit to Ermigan Park.
Lucky you, we're still getting more snow every day. I miss spring - and lighter food - sooo much!!!
how pretty. that park is beautiful! we are having typical spring weather. 70 degrees yesterday and snow on the way today.
@Elizabeth, are you not around right around? Well, when you return, I'm sure the lale should be ready soon.
@Pille, Yes, we are lucky right now. Such a mild winter and hardly any snow.
@Joyce, So strange! My parents in Nebraska said the same thing....such up and down temps. Hang in there!
I saw my first tulips today too, on Barbaros Blvd. I can't wait to see Emirgan Park for the first time this year.
I love the picture of the cat. I bet we see that picture bouncing around the internet in the next few weeks.
. . know that delightful park well - lovely photos Joy - smile inducing :-)
@Karen, yay! I'll have to go check out Barbaros.
@Annie, thanks! Yes, pinterest for the cat fans. ;-)
@Alan, thank you! Love this park too.
oh what beauty! would love to have a park like this in Beirut! love the clic of the cat basking in the sun, so precious!
Lovely blog and some amazing photos. I have recently started a blog where I look at the funier side of Turkish life. Please feel free to read. http://maninantalya.blogspot.com/2013/03/so-you-want-turkish-wife.html
Dear Joy, those tulip trees are in fact magnolias, just the winter blooming variety, called magnolia soulangeana, which are absolutely gorgeous. The purple flowers seem to be nettles (ısırgan) judging by the leaves, but I am not sure. Lovely blog, will subscribe from nowon, thanx, Lale Gedik
@joumana, yes, it is a lovely park! So lucky just to have it down the street from our apartment. Everyone loves the cat pics. ;-)
@Westy, thanks for stopping by! I'll take a look at your musings. Cheers!
@Lale, thanks for the technical names! I've always known the pink trees as the tulip tree, nickname, I guess. Hope you continue to enjoy my photos. :-)
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