In Istanbul, we stayed in the colorful Galata Tower neighborhood. There were so many fun opportunities to take photographs of the local streets! One morning I wandered through an area where each shop carried one type of part, for example, a wheel shop or a rope shop. I met a guy feeding a cat from a can and saw many cats perched on awnings. Motorcycles cruised up and down the steep cobblestone alleys. And at night, when the storefronts rolled down their garage doors, they revealed wonderful murals. ...
One day we travelled from Istanbul to Ephesus, an ancient Roman city. One highlight is Library of Celsius, pictured above. So much detail, beautifully preserved! There is also a huge amphitheater, still used today for concerts. But the clear highlight was the archeological dig that was uncovering the Terrace Houses. Here wall paintings and mosaics were exceptionally well preserved, enabling us to imagine how rich Romans lived. The wide boulevards and huge agora emphasized how important and wealthy this city was. ...
Following our amazing trip to Africa, Micah, Jacob and I spent a week in Istanbul, and thus also visited Europe and Asia. City Views We loved how Istanbul is situated on the water with spectacular views around every bend. All the major mosques are situated atop hills. From the hills, you can always see the sparkling Bosphorus. After a night ferry ride, we looked out on restaurants and mosques. ...
On a cool Saturday night, Audrey and I enjoyed some cool Brazilian jazz at the Stanford Jazz Festival. Anat Cohen on Clarinet was joined by Marcello Gonçalves, playing the 7-string acoustic guitar. It was a magical evening. Anat plays very lyrically, with a full range of emotion. Marcello played the role of the orchestra, conjuring bass, rhythm, and percussion from his guitar. They played music in a range of styles, closing with a spirited version of Leonard Bernstein’s song America, from West Side Story. ...
Micah, Jacob and I travelled through Mozambique with the leading behavior change organization in conservation of oceans and fisheries, Rare.org. We visited sites where Rare is saving reef and ocean ecosystems, met with local leaders, and enjoyed this beautiful and friendly country. Below, I’ll share some photos, explain more about why Rare’s work is so impressive, and also connect to our own work in educational research. I’m going to focus on our visit to Ilha De Mozambique, the most significant part of the journey. ...