Happiness

Categories: Istanbul · latest · writingsTags: · 2 Comments

The attack here in Istanbul last week left me a little shaken. I love this city but I also want to live in a place that is safe. However, as I look at the world around me, no place seems safe… just less dangerous? Is it time to head out of Istanbul before it gets worse? Will it get worse? To be honest, I don’t see how it could get better at this point. Many of the countries close to or around Turkey are hot messes. It’s already spilling over. It is with these heavy thoughts running around my mind…

Treat Yourself

Categories: muddled · san diegoTags: · 2 Comments

When shopping, I do like to get the most bang for my buck. Translation: I love a good sale. Recently I went to a Banana Republic outlet and got the cutest coat and most fantastic wide-leg pants in the world. However, they were just a tad too big so I took these items to my favorite tailor in San Diego, Ayaka. I used to watch a program called ‘What Not to Wear’ and one piece of advice that always stuck with me was to have a good tailor. It makes all of the difference in the world! A piece of…

A Walk On The Beach

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One of the benefits of living in a city for a long time is that you get to know the secret spots. Especially in a city with heavy tourism, it’s fun to go off-the-beaten path. One of those places for me in San Diego is Imperial Beach. Imperial Beach (IB) is literally right next to Mexico as it is the most southwestern city in the States. You can see the border from the beach; put your foot just over it and be in two places at once! Slowly but surely, this beach town has been growing and expanding. However the…

Not For the Faint of Heart

Categories: latest · moving images · walking around IstanbulTags: · 2 Comments

On Saturday, I visited Eminönü. In Istanbul, if you have visited the Spice Bazaar, you know where it is. Eminönü is what I refer to as ‘The Maze of Mass humanity’. This place is crowded. Not only is Eminönü a transportation hub (think buses, trams, cars, and ferries), it is also a massive shopping area where a person can buy just about anything. I am not exaggerating when I say this. It’s my go-to place for baked goods but that is the very tip of the iceberg. So if you come to Istanbul, Eminönü is a place to see. However, try to get…

Photos and a Night Walk

Categories: eating out Istanbul · images · latestTags: · · · 3 Comments

Tonight I went on a photography night walking tour with Monica Fritz. We covered the streets of Eminönü and in some ways, it felt like a new city. I guess the night had a lot to do with it but also, it was just men out and about. No joking, we probably saw about ten women walking around. It was just a bunch of dudes. We ended the walk in Balat and having a tasty dinner in a restaurant called Forno. Below are some of the photos I took with my 35mm lens. I have been looking forward to using this lens at…

Beautiful Börek

Categories: eating out Istanbul · Istanbul · latestTags: · · 2 Comments

I love Börek. This Turkish dish is simply delicious; I have never had a bad börek. Essentially, it is phyllo (noodle layers) filled with cheese, spinach, or minced meat. The cheese (peynir) is my favorite, but all will do in a crunch. My friend Pia recently took me to Sinem Börek located on ‘Sadri Alışık Sokak’, right off İstiklal Caddesi. If you are like me, finding a place to eat when traveling can at times be stressful. Places are unfamiliar and knowing if it is safe to eat can be a gamble. Whether you live here or are just visiting, this…

I Want To Be a Foodie

Categories: eating out Istanbul · Istanbul · latestTags: · · 5 Comments

I don’t have a natural appreciation for food. Growing up, my stomach only liked plain food and it was quick to dismiss any other types. So even though there are foods that I love, I would never, ever consider myself an adventurous eater. In my opinion, this trepidatious beginning with my finicky insides has soured me on many of life’s tasting pleasures. However, I believe the time has come to change this about myself.  As I begin to get out there and develop my palate, I am hopeful that at the very least, I will be able to develop a…

A Rebrand and Some Brunch

Categories: eating out Istanbul · Istanbul · latest · walking around Istanbul · writingsTags: · · 1 Comment

Recently, a friend of mine suggested that I ‘rebrand’ my blog to not only write about my travels outside of Istanbul, but also about what I do in and around this charming place. Within this complex city, there are so many interesting aspects that exploring Istanbul should be considered a full time job. When I tell people where I live, they always ask what it’s like to live in a city with so much history; where the East and West converge. The best way that I can explain my fascination with Istanbul is the constant energy; sometimes when I walk out of my apartment…

A Different Country

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I recently went on a small road trip through Eastern Turkey. Kars and Trabzon were two of the cities we visited but did not get to explore too much.  Away from the 24/7 of Istanbul, I found calm, quiet, lovely spaces… along with some stunning landscapes. For me, it was like a different country! It is very difficult to condense five days into a little over five minutes, but I did my best with the video below.  Enjoy!