SCOTTY. I had never been happier to see someone walk down the hill as I was to see Scotty. “Hey there,” he said. I didn’t even let him finish introductions before I grabbed him, pulling him into a hug and expressing just how glad I was he was there I quickly filled him in onContinue reading “Seeing stars”
Tag Archives: turkey
A final note on Kusadasi
A few days after departing Kusadasi, I thought everything was behind me. It pretty much was … until I was reunited with Claire in Olympos. I was sitting at the treetop bar, enjoying my last evening in my adult summer camp surroundings when she sat next to me. “Claire! Hi!” I squealed as she tookContinue reading “A final note on Kusadasi”
The Story of Mustafa
The first night at the restaurant when I met Mustafa, I thought he was nice. Ignorant, but nice. He had joked with my group of friends, had given me a discount card, had been friendly and welcoming. The perfect example of the famed Turkish hospitality. I immediately liked him. Then, he told me the storyContinue reading “The Story of Mustafa”
Running Scared
After a couple of hours at the beach, I went back to the hotel to shower and do some writing. I tried to sneak back into the hotel, I didn’t want to see Murat’s beady little eyes glaring at me. Fortunately, he was sleeping on the couch, so I didn’t have to talk to him.Continue reading “Running Scared”
Congrats, you’re hired; Sorry, you’re fired
I thought the offer of free room, food and drinks in exchange for work at the hotel in Kusadasi, Turkey sounded too good to be true. It was. There were so many warning bells going off in my head when I accepted the job, and unlike the good (and safe) traveler I normally am, IContinue reading “Congrats, you’re hired; Sorry, you’re fired”
All aboard …
It was way too early when I woke up to head to the Fez office to catch my bus. The sun had just risen and the clock hadn’t even pushed 6:15 a.m. when I strapped and hooked my bag to me and headed down those old cement stairs and through the carpet shop to takeContinue reading “All aboard …”
Playing tourist in Turkey
The smells … the colors … the people flooding in and out of the ancient Spice Market in Istanbul was overwhelming. After my decidedly non-tourist day watching a movie the day before, Joe and I planned a perfect tour of Turkey for the following day. We met early in the morning at Harmony, planning toContinue reading “Playing tourist in Turkey”
Getting my K-Stew, R-Patz and Taylor Lautner fix
I woke up the next morning in Harmony Hostel and went upstairs to get breakfast — a traditional plate including one hard-boiled egg, slices of tomato and cucumber, black olives and big, fluffy pieces of white bread with jam. During breakfast, I began to talk with two Kiwi girls about our plans for the day.Continue reading “Getting my K-Stew, R-Patz and Taylor Lautner fix”
Istanbul (not Constantinople)
“Ooooh … Istanbul … so lush,” Gemma had exclaimed before I departed from Spain to Turkey. In my mind, there was something so exotic about Turkey, some mystical, magical place where Europe hit Asia with thunder. Arriving into Istanbul, I was far from disappointed. When I boarded the Havas bus at the airport (I flewContinue reading “Istanbul (not Constantinople)”
How to barter like a pro
I’ve spent some time now in Morocco and Turkey, two places where the prices you see/hear are merely suggestions. If you are feeling unadventurous, go ahead and pay the ridiculously inflated prices. But, the only way to get the good deals on the scarves, shoes, pants, carpets, lanterns, etc., etc., is to talk talk talkContinue reading “How to barter like a pro”
D Travels 'Round 