The Clouds Cleared, and Pride Shined Through
Carrying their pride: walking toward Cihangir…and a TOMA (water cannon). I was in a buoyant mood on Sunday afternoon; buoyed with patriotism from the news of the past week: marriage equality, Obamacare stand…
8 ways Portugal and Turkey are alike
The saudade/hüzünlü octopus, by Rukiye Uçar. 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 a…
The Frontier Carnival
The Xanthi Carnival parade man isn’t holding a bag. It’s the traditional musical instrument “Gaida”. It’s a bagpipe, an airtight bag of sheepskin or goatskin. He is “just a fat Greek old guy who is drinking alcohol, ea…
Reflections on Two Turkish Funerals
One thing I hadn’t been to — fortunately — since arriving in Turkey was a funeral. My purpose in this post is to inform what to expect when this solemn and sad event occurs.