Many people want to know where, specifically, we are going. While we have a general idea where we are headed, we purposely purchased one-way tickets so that the flow of the trip seemed less constrained. Below are the countries we hope to visit as well as a general map of our intended path. This will…
Our hotel breakfast options are much different than typical American fare. Olives, cucumbers, feta, and Turkish tea are standard. Yet another reminder of how accustomed we become to routine. Below are images of breakfast at Ottoman Hotel Cağaloğlu.
On Friday, we went to a bath house to experience a Turkish bath. There is no bath, per se, at least in the Western understanding. Rather, the term refers to the way one is washed and massaged by an attendant from head to toe. We were a bit nervous. We had looked at several, but…
While walking to lunch with Erika and our new friend Catherine in Selçuk, Turkey, there came behind us the sound of honking car horns and music. At first, I thought it was young people garnering attention like I see so often at home, but as the procession came closer, I saw a boy dressed all…
There was some sort of celebration today that involved military displays with cannon fire. These girls danced wonderfully, for whatever the purpose, and shook their shoulders like nobody’s business!
There are several sites around Istanbul that serve as memorial sites for religious leaders. Some are elaborate familial shrines that entomb several generations. Some are more like simple graveyards. Several of the dates we notices were from long, long ago. As an American, it’s odd to see things dated from 1289. It’s a good reminder…
Admittedly, I knew very little about Gallipoli (Gelibolu in Turkish). The United States played a negligible role in that particular theater during World War I, so our history doesn’t pay it much mind. Most of what I know about its significance comes from the popular Australian ballad, And the band played Waltzing Matilda. The song is…
