Ahhhhh....My Taste Buds Will Never Be the Same!

September 16, 2013

Elizabeth Walking in Galata

Cihanger

Traveling in Turkey has kept me from being able to access the internet. I have SO many things to show and write about, too many for this short blog entry today. The internet I have today is only in the hotel lobby. I can't even access it in the evening in my room. If I close down the computer, I have to put all the info in again to log on. It's a pain, but it is what it is, here.

Elizabeth Working on Her Calendar in a Small Cafe

I spent three days with my daughter, Elizabeth, in Galata and Cihanger. Elizabeth booked us in a beautiful hotel. The beds, the pillows, the shower, everything was luxurious.

Our Fancy Hotel Wall and Bed

Small Demonstration on Istaklal

I was happy to go on an interview, one day with her in another part of Istanbul. I had planned to look over the area and sit in a cafe, while she was with the woman and her family, but the woman insisted Elizabeth's ani (mother), join them in their home. (I mean really insisted) So I wouldn't be impolite, I decided to join them.

Elizabeth and Friends
(names later, I have to look them up.
I remember the young lady's name, it's Ada)

They had a young dog, named Hercules, and modest apartment on the fourth floor. As is the tradition, everywhere in Turkey, we took off our shoes, put on slippers and went into the apartment. We were served a mix of nuts and sweets before we were served a special home-cooked meal. The tastes and textures were too different and delicious to show or tell. Believe me, my taste buds will never be the same after this trip. I will have to be more creative in my cooking to satisfy my new level of "heaven" in tastes.

The view out their small balcony was a "Million Dollar View". It overlooks the small city and rolling hills in the distance. We sat there awhile after our meal. They gave us each a small gifts to take with us when we left. The woman would not let us walk to the bus stop alone. She walked the quarter of a mile to the stop and waited until we boarded and said goodbye.

Elizabeth Sitting Next to the Million Dollar View

Since my time with Elizabeth, I have traveled to my friend, Birim's lake house in Iznic. We spent a few days in this small community on the lake called Darka. I will write later about this beautiful spot. Now, I will leave the hotel in Iskeseher, to be a tourist and enjoy the sights. It's about 80 degrees, dry, with a light breeze today. I'm wearing a new sleeveless dress I bought in a small market, yesterday. I definitely am spotted as a "Foreigner", but the Turkish people are very sweet and gracious. I speak as many Turkish words as I can learn and remember so I feel more at home.

Love to my family and friends.