Exploring the culture, history, and cuisine of Turkey through the eyes of not-just-another-tourist
So it's Thanksgiving time again. And I love it. My favorite holiday. Good food. Family. Arlo Guthrie. A Christmas Story. Pieces of April. These are my traditions. I was feeling a little blue this year and after the last trip home, decided I would skip Thanksgiving. That was the plan, until about a week... Continue Reading →
Dear Friends in Ankara - Please take caution today! This message is being sent to alert U.S. citizens that the Embassy has received information that an anti-American demonstration of unknown size is expected to take place across the street from the Embassy at approximately 1:30 today. Expect a heavy police presence in the vicinity of... Continue Reading →
Cooking up 100kg of tomatoes in Akyurt! That was some good sauce!
I apologize for not having written lately. I just haven't had time. But I do have a quick question for Turkish restaurant owners . . . Do you have any idea what a "Cover Charge" is? I will tell you. It is typically used to cover live entertainment. I somewhat get that in tourist locations,... Continue Reading →
A day in the life of anyone can bring with it the good, the bad, and the ugly. A typical day for most adults is probably something like this: Get up. Go to work. Grab a quick lunch. Work some more. Head home. Eat dinner. Go to bed. Of course, there's room for a little... Continue Reading →
Below are photos from my husband's birthday breakfast, back in March. Just kidding Hon, I know it was April. Anyway, I came across these photos today and upon further inspection, there is one dish I know I baked, but I have no idea what it is! Do you? And yes, I baked a cake. ... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I am greatly amazed by little things in Turkey's healthcare system. Like the fancy machines. You name it. Turks have it. Lots of lights and shiny metals. And the pharmacies. Sure, you need a prescription for some things, but there's a lot of good stuff you can get without it. Not to sound like... Continue Reading →
There's been a lot of discussion here in Ankara since I wrote my first post about Masala Cafe. That was April 2010, shortly after my arrival to this great city. As you may recall, (or can see from that review), I loved the restaurant! The restaurant is located in my neighborhood, so I frequented it... Continue Reading →
Many of you are aware that I am not a baker. Remember this post, To Bake or Not to Bake? In fact, I don't even like cake that much. Now a nice pie, that's a different story! Lemon Meringue, blueberry, pumpkin . . . Anyway, my husband loves cake almost as much as he loves... Continue Reading →
In 2008, Ankara was listed as one of the world's worst cities for air pollution. The large increase in natural gas prices and the distribution of free coal by municipalities prior to local elections has led to an enormous jump in pollution levels in Ankara, reaching 9,350 micrograms per cubic meter in the Sıhhiye district.... Continue Reading →
On Sunday, as I was leaving Eymir Golu (the lake owned by METU) and about to turn on to the highway, I saw this: I realize it looks like a rather rural area, but we truly were turning here to get on to the highway. And he wasn't alone! On the other side of the... Continue Reading →
CerModern boasts an Open Air Theatre and is showing international films every Tuesday night, 26 June through September 25, 2012. Last night we saw Burn After Reading, starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and John Malkovich. Yeah, it's hot. It's pretty, pretty, pretty hot. But being outdoors in the Summertime is all I want from life.... Continue Reading →
Yesterday was my birthday. My tradition is to cook a lovely Bavarian meal of Wiener Schnitzel, potato pancakes, and cucumber salad. This year, I set out in search of a German restaurant in Ankara. I sent an email to my fellow expats requesting information. Alas, I found that Ankara hosts no German restaurants. I did... Continue Reading →
Musings of a Philadelphia lawyer - who married a Turk, quit her day job, and set out for adventure!
-by Terry Henson Kaymak
Adventures in Ankara 