Okey: so you’re bored of tavla?
Have you ever passed an attraction in Istanbul, or (insert famous place) in your hometown that you’ve never been to and thought “Hmm, I really should go there, you know, while I’m living here…Eh, one of these days”? That’s how I felt every time I passed an Okey salonu (Okey room)…
The Clouds Cleared, and Pride Shined Through
I was in a buoyant mood on Sunday afternoon; buoyed with patriotism from the news of the past week: marriage equality, Obamacare standing pat. I hadn’t felt that proud for America in a long time, and I was transferring that pride to my adopted second home, Turkey, looking forward…
8 ways Portugal and Turkey are alike
We crave you, we miss you, we yearn for you Your eight legs of heaven Portuguese octopus! Jump in some rice or olive oil for us –Zeynep & Ezra Seems like we ate octopus in some form every day during our recent vacation in Portugal: usually chopped up in bit size [&helli…
The Frontier Carnival
A blazing effigy of the Carnival Tsar, parades of floats and costumed troupes serenaded by blasting techno and Euro pop, fireworks, and walking around stumbling drunk with a water bottle filled with tsipouro. Oh, Yes. Istanbulus don’t have to go to Brazil to enjoy Carnival season…