The New Essential

'Mutfak' means 'kitchen' in Turkish, but it is also (sort of unofficially) a type of restaurant that is very common in Turkey. Restaurants where a single chef prepares several dishes at the beginning of the day, sets them out on a counter, then you can help yourself to whatever combination your heart desires.

My favorite is in the Cihangir area, but we just discovered another in Galata that we love. The food was far too good to capture on camera before cleaning the entire plate. Oops?

Chora

Recently listed as one of the thirty must-see museums in the world, the Chora Museum is small, but filled with incredibly well preserved Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. A little out of the way for tourists, but definitely one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Istanbul.




This section of the ceiling was my favorite part of the Church turned mosque turned museum (a common theme in Turkey)... take a look for yourself at more details: http://www.choramuseum.com/

Sports Fest 2011

Every year, in May, Bogazici University hosts a sports festival for countries around the world to compete in. And everyone else just drinks Efes on the lawn.

Into the Woods

Being overly nostalgic already and looking back at spring break photos from April. Can't believe it's almost June!

This was the most beautiful view I've ever seen in my life, although pictures really don't do it justice. Northeastern Turkey, near the borders of Georgia and Armenia.

For your enjoyment

I have been trying so hard to bring together any string of words that can begin to express my feelings about Istanbul at this moment, and it's simply impossible. In the meantime, because musicians seem to do it so well, here is something I keep watching. And watching.

Ode to Streetfood: Part III

The Bogazici simit: An institution unto itself. A perfect one lira ring of heavenly toasted, sesame seed covered joy. 

Mom, can we keep him?

Garance says it best...

Choosing to have fun in life is often more fruitful than chasing perfection.

Pieces of Selanik

We took a pastry tour of the city

Our humble abode for the weekend

THE best salad of all time

Our lovely host, Maria

Impromptu trip to Greece

I bought a bus ticket yesterday to Selanik (Thessolonika) for the weekend, which my mom sternly believes I have already been to. I disagreed with her, as she was five months pregnant with me at the time.

Here's to my first trip to Greece (outside of the womb)!

Geriatric lover, for sure.

This man is one of only thirty-three people in the world who speak Urartian, an ancient language of an Iron Age kingdom near Lake Van, featured on his hat and necklace, as well as the inscription behind him.

He lives in a local village, where he has eleven children and almost forty grandchildren. When I asked him why he learned this language, he said 'I was curious'.

Collecting my thoughts

Some photos from the ruined Armenian city of Ani.

Armenian border, Turkey.

Dear Graduates,

you have no idea how much you will be missed...

And the office hours at espresso royale.

And the morning cuddling.

And the funny hats.

And the mac n cheese.

And the Blue Velvet references.

And the inappropriate use of Wanda Sykes quotations.

And the appropriate use of Mrs. Doubtfire quotations.

And the Saturday morning pregame breakfasts.

And the ChiO kitchen for that matter,

let alone the red couch.

Sending good thoughts your way. xoxo