Golden Horn at Dusk
Thursday night was our last night before I took off for Tbilisi. At sundown we were on the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn. It was a beautiful night with the call to prayer melding with tram bells and music … Continue reading Golden Horn at Dusk
Evening Call to Prayer
One evening, at sunset, we went to the park between Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. We watched the night architectural lights come on at both buildings as the sun set and the evening call to prayer came from three … Continue reading Evening Call to Prayer
Istanbul’s Hop on – Hop off Boat
Instnbul has a hop on- hop off boat that cruises between Europe and Asia in a two hour round trip. Continue reading Istanbul’s Hop on – Hop off Boat
Istanbul Spice Market
We took the new light rail to the Spice Market. This week Istanbul is full of the world’s humanitarian aid leaders, at the Humanitarian Summit, but because of terrorism threats tourism overall is way down. One man said “come into … Continue reading Istanbul Spice Market
The Kariye Museum (Chora Church)
On Monday we met our friend Andrea Lemieux, a former IREX, colleague for lunch and a visit to one of her favorite places in Istanbul. The Kariye Museum (Chora Church). Constantine built it outside the walls of Constantinople, although this … Continue reading The Kariye Museum (Chora Church)
Suleymaniye Mosque
The last time we were in Istanbul the Suleymaniye Mosque was closed for renovation. This trip I finally got in to see a mosque that has intrigued me since I took a history of architecture class at St. Olaf. I … Continue reading Suleymaniye Mosque
Kitties of Constantinople
Istanbul (not Constantinople) loves cats. According to Andrea some neighborhoods have free cat clinics where vets care for strays. Some folks take their pet cats to the clinic for free care. People leave bowls of water and people keep kitty kibble … Continue reading Kitties of Constantinople
Log Rolling in Pursuit of an Oceangoing Canoe
Since January I have been watching Steve Brown build a Tlingit ocean going dugout canoe out of a single red cedar log at Sitka National Historical Park. Steve has been working with “apprentices” Tommy Joseph, T.J. Young, Jerrod Galanin and … Continue reading Log Rolling in Pursuit of an Oceangoing Canoe
Earth Day 2016, the Parade of Species
It’s Sitka’s annual “Parade of Species” so it must be Earth Day. Sponsored by the Sitka Conservation Society with help from Old Harbor Books, the Sitka Sound Science Center and the National Park Service kids (and adults) dress as their … Continue reading Earth Day 2016, the Parade of Species
Blessing of the Fleet, 2016
Sunday, April 11, Sitka and the Southeast Alaska Women in Fisheries held their blessing of the fleet at the Crescent Harbor shelter. It’s one of those community gatherings that, in a way, define our seafaring town. First some sea songs, … Continue reading Blessing of the Fleet, 2016
2015 McClear Family Christmas Letter
Sitka Christmas Artisans’ Market, 2015
This year we didn’t make it to any of the European Christmas Markets, but Sitka has a fine Artisans’ Market in Allen Hall on the Sitka Fine Arts Campus. Sponsored by the Greater Sitka Arts Council it is a great … Continue reading Sitka Christmas Artisans’ Market, 2015
Winter Arrives Before Fall Finishes its Work
I saw my chance and took it. During a day of windy snow squalls I saw a break of sun and blue skies. By the time I got on my sweater, boots, gloves and ear band and got to the … Continue reading Winter Arrives Before Fall Finishes its Work
Bone Eating Zombie Snot Worms
If I lived in a big city I would not know about Bone Eating Zombie Snot Worms, but I live in Sitka so I do. This weekend Sitka celebrated its annual Whale Fest. It combines art, poetry, and music; whale … Continue reading Bone Eating Zombie Snot Worms
Stardust Ball 2015, Take 3
Here are more pics from Raven Radio’s Stardust Ball, 2015. To see more pictures click on tranches one and two from this year. And for a “Blast from the Past” you can click on the 2014 Stardust Ball Tranches One, … Continue reading Stardust Ball 2015, Take 3
Raven Radio’s Stardust Ball, 2015 — take two
Here is the second tranche of pics from Raven Radio’s 2015 Stardust Ball at the Odess Theater. Click here to see Tranches One and Three. To see pics from the 2014 Stardust Ball click here, here and here Continue reading Raven Radio’s Stardust Ball, 2015 — take two
Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Heart of Man? — Stardust Ball 2015
Halloween night brought out Sitkans in their finest costumes. Many made it to Raven Radio’s Stardust Ball at the Odess Theater on the Sitka Fine Arts Campus. Here is the first tranche of pictures from the ball. I have 3 … Continue reading Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Heart of Man? — Stardust Ball 2015
Endangered Species Spotted in Sitka
This afternoon on my walk I encountered a rare and endangered species in Sitka, an Alaska Marine Highway ship. The state has proposed a reduced ferry schedule to save money. The schedule includes laying up three ferries all next summer. … Continue reading Endangered Species Spotted in Sitka
Alaska Day, 2015
Alaska Day 2015, rain may make the pictures look dull but it does nothing to slow the celebration. It’s October, some people theorize that the Russians chose to pull out because it was October. Continue reading Alaska Day, 2015
Library Phobia
I have a library phobia. They terrify me. It goes back to a librarian who accused me of stealing a book when the library had mislaid it. My parents were called, the principal was called, guilty until proven innocent was … Continue reading Library Phobia
October 5, 2000
Fifteen years ago today Serbian president Milosevic fell from power. It was a day of great joy and celebration. On October 5 Milosevic fell, on October 6 I tried to get a Serbian visa, the embassy was closed. On October … Continue reading October 5, 2000
Paul Allen Meets Frank Gehry in Seattle.
The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair was designed to show us a future built on cheap hydropower. It was the world of the future from the Space Needle to the Monorail. Many old world’s fair sites look like the past’s idea … Continue reading Paul Allen Meets Frank Gehry in Seattle.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Dale Chihuly is a glass artist from Seattle. In the Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair he has a museum and glass garden with fantastic glass figures set among plants in the garden and displayed with … Continue reading Chihuly Garden and Glass
Reclaiming Jersey City
My earliest memories are of Jersey City. I loved Jackson Avenue in particular because I loved riding on the Jackson Ave Trolley Car. I learned many lessons on that streetcar. It was there I first remembered seeing black people and … Continue reading Reclaiming Jersey City