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Post by Solomon on Nov 9, 2012 5:24:40 GMT 10
NOTICE: Brenda and I will away for a week and a bit. We will be in Turkey where I will be much engaged in Masonry.
In that period I do not expect to have the time or opportunity for my usual daily postings, which I will resume on my return.
Upon our return, I look forward to reporting on our travels and on my masonic activities.
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Post by Solomon on Nov 21, 2012 10:09:29 GMT 10
My wife, Brenda, and I have returned this week from a brief trip to Turkey where we had been graciously and generously hosted (air fares, accommodation, meals and tours) by Lodge Sebat in Istanbul, under the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Turkey (http://eng.mason.org.tr/). This was in preparation for a proposed conference of theirs, with the tentative title of, “Our Craft and the Position of Women in Modern Society.” We arrived late on Saturday 10/11/12. On Sunday we went on a ferry trip to the island of Halki, in the Sea of Marmara, where we and about fifty or more others (Brethren and families from Lodges Sebat and Alev) picnicked and enjoyed a tour of an Orthodox seminary. On Monday 12/11/12 we recorded four of my talks: Craftswomen in the Old Charges, in Building Trades and as Stonemasons
Albert Through the Looking Glass: Freemasonry’s Nonsensical “No Women!” Landmark
The Masonic Marianne (feminine iconography in Freemasonry)
Women and Modern Freemasonry: Missed Opportunities and Changing Attitudes That evening there was an informal dinner with a number of Brethren, including their Grand Master M.W. Bro. Prof. M. Remzi Sanver. The next evening I was the guest speaker at Lodge Sebat, after spending the day editing and sorting out translation issues. Brenda was entertained on both days with organised tours around the city. On Wednesday our principal host, Bro. Dr. Ali Mutlu Köylüoðlu, showed us around Istanbul. On the Thursday and Friday we went on an organised tour to Gallipoli and Troy. On the Saturday, Dr. & Bro. Köylüoðlu and the W.M. of Sebat Lodge, W.B. Vedit Engin, showed us more of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and we enjoyed some of its culinary delights. On Sunday we departed, arriving home late Monday night / Tuesday morning.
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Post by Solomon on Nov 27, 2012 20:20:29 GMT 10
What passed for humour during our visit to Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) was, on one side, me producing my Red Cross Knights Certificate, stating I had been "Enthroned in the seat of Constantine the Great" and claiming I had come to reclaim my city (there was some mock petitioning about excessive taxes). On the other side, were frequent loud remarks in English, only ever within earshot of Brenda, referring to our "revelries" featuring belly dancers on the night of a dinner she was unable to attend (would that it were true)... ... I guess you had to be there.
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