Exploring the culture, history, and cuisine of Turkey through the eyes of not-just-another-tourist
Yeah, I like that title too. It seems like I start all of my posts these days with, "I haven't written in a long time." From now on, and until otherwise notified, let's take it as a gimme that I won't write unless I'm moved - when I really have something to say. So, we... Continue Reading →
Greetings old friends. I haven't taken the time to keep up with you, to ask how you are doing, or to share my view of the world with you. In fact, earlier this week I mulled over whether I should shut down my blog since I have not kept it up-to-date. But yesterday, I learned... Continue Reading →
We all have things we used to do and plan to do again someday. For me, blogging is one of them. I used to post 3 to 4 times a week. Then I left Turkey. I had hoped that with the help of friends, I could keep my readers informed of the comings and goings... Continue Reading →
I spent 6.5 years in Ankara. Before moving there, one of the most difficult things I could imagine was celebrating American holidays without my family. Even harder, would be celebrating Thanksgiving since it is not a holiday at all in Turkey! It has been two years since I returned to the States. Looking back, my... Continue Reading →
I wrote the following piece last September. For no particular reason, I decided to hold on to it. We lost my brother this week, and for no particular reason, I feel it's time to share my writing with you. September 5, 2017: Many of my readers have followed this blog faithfully for years. Not only... Continue Reading →
Dear Friends, The day has finally come, my last full day in Turkey. I know, I know. I should've told you sooner. In fact, there are a lot of things I wish I would've done, I could've done. But I didn't. These last few months have been trying, nay, extremely difficult. I had bright moments,... Continue Reading →
Fear and the Loss of Freedom to Be Afraid "By the time this clip was finished, we knew what was going on. There was much to be said, a lot of fear, and things to do. It was not long before an emergency bag was packed and I had made the dreaded first call to... Continue Reading →
As you may recall, last month my friend Frederick at TomorrowPictures.tv gave me a great opportunity to interview the folks attending the Trump rally at West Chester University. Well . . . Below is the video you have all been waiting for! I particularly loved listening to the young man below and the conversation he... Continue Reading →
I spent my afternoon and evening yesterday watching the Pope coverage. I feel like I have seen a Pope 4 times, but that is not true. In 1976, I attended the Second Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia. I thought I had seen a Pope there, but I looked it up and my memory is wrong. There was... Continue Reading →
It has been about a year since my friend Fulya passed away. I mentioned her passing briefly in this blog post, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Today I want to take a moment to honor her and to discuss what I have learned about death in Turkey. Fulya cam from a more prestigious family... Continue Reading →
Before the Christmas holiday, I had the wonderful luck of being invited to dine at KIVA with a new friend. I'm not sure which I like better, the friend or the food! Located on the terrace level of one of Ankara's newest malls, Next Level, KIVA specializes in Anatolian cuisine. It's concept is as a "modern... Continue Reading →
In case you missed this last week, we were named one of the "Inspiring Expat Blogs on Turkey" by the Hurriyet Daily News! You can read the article by clicking here. We joined the likes of some of our best blogger friends: Natalie at Turkish Travel Blog; Alan at Archers of Okcular; and Duke at Captivating... Continue Reading →
I am sure you all remember the "hype" a couple of months ago. Everyone was taking the ALS Bucket Challenge. I did it myself . . . sans bucket. Sadly, and as always, people had negative things to say about it - mostly because not everyone was donating cash for the cause. But the naysayers... 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 