Almost 6 o’clock, and I’ve yet to close my eyes…
July 3, 2008I’ve been reading “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova. It’s a twist on the classic Dracula story — focusing more on Vlad Tepes, Count Dracul, an actual historical figure… We know him as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula, Prince of Wallachia. The story is typical but so well written that I am afraid to sleep. To dream about it, as I had had just two nights ago.
I am almost halfway through the book. So many things have happened already that I don’t know what else could possibly happen. I enjoy the way the book takes you to so many places in Europe. The main characters, when I last read, were just leaving Istanbul for Budapest…
I’ve never been to Budapest. I find it odd that I’ve yet to visit Hungary… Ah well. Eventually.
Turkey… My memories of Istanbul are slim. But I recall the smell of feet at the Blue Mosque… The Stele of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus which I couldn’t reach… The sprawling grounds and the pretty gazebo at Topkapl Palace… The Turkish delight which made Gerald’s teeth hurt more (he was in misery the whole time after that — at least until we got him to the dentist in Prague, Czech Republic)… The fine-spun silk carpet we bought near the Grand Bazaar… The hot apple cider mix and Turkish slipper keychains we bought in the Bazaar… The odd sign which said “Sorry, we’re open.”
Funny how I remember more of Istanbul than I originally thought. I wish I’d read up on those places a lot more before we went… Ah well. I will not make that same mistake.
Places to read on before this month’s trip: Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, England, and Scotland.
I wonder… Should I buy another memory card for the trip? Perhaps.
Previous Comments
Ooh..It’s not quite historically accurate, but I like it so far!
Posted by gingerdame at July 4, 2008, 9:14 amI have read this book, after this try reading as well Sepulchere. Very nice book too.
Posted by equilibrium2008 at July 17, 2008, 11:54 amNice post.Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!
I’m still waiting for some interesting thoughts from your side in your next post thanks
I read that book! It started out spooky and I really liked it, but towards the end it just got boring. I’m just not much of a history buff, but maybe you’ll like it!
Posted by Nikki at July 4, 2008, 6:52 am