Monthly Archives: January 2013

Bumbling Chats: Meet Mehmet

18 Friday Jan 2013

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Over the past months I have been privileged to meet many people–other travelers, locals who have opened up their cultures and homes to us, and more. Mehmet is one such person. He drove us through the crazy streets of Ankara, taught us about Şalgam, and we now call him a friend.

Mehmet and I sat down today during his visit to Istanbul and talked a bit about why he loves this city, how he’d like to travel through Europe and more.

Bumbling Chats: Meet Mehmet
Mehmet pours raki, the national drink of Turkey.

What is your name? Mehmet.

How old are you? I am 22. 

Where are you from? I was born in Ankara but my family came from Kars, in eastern Turkey. I live in Ankara.

What do you like to do in your city? Now I am just a student in Ankara. I live with  my family. I am waiting to finish my university, and for now I am not sure when I will finish university or where I will go after. Probably I will come to Istanbul because my work is public relations and advertising. Advertising is best in Istanbul. 

Without school, I go to the bar with my friends and drink raki, a Turkish drink like ouzo. It’s famous. I also go to the cinema with my friends, I am interested in movies.

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7 Things I’m Glad I Packed

17 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by in Travel Musings

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My trip’s not over yet, I know, but as I look back and realize I’ve been on the road now for more than 6 months, I can’t but help give myself a pat on the back for my packing job. *Pats self on back.*I’ve made it through summer, fall (real fall!), winter and will be starting spring by the time I get back to the good ole US of A. Through hiking in the hot Mediterranean and the Highlands, last-minute travel planning, and my first white Christmas, some of my stuff has really made the travel grade.

Here are the 7 things I’m glad I packed for my extended trip to Europe.

My comfy black yoga pants

  These were a Christmas gift a few years ago from my parents. Mine happen to be by GapBody (something like this), but I’m pretty sure any black dance pants with cotton-y, stretchy goodness would have been swell.

Not only have they proven great for actual yoga and dance, they’re also good for layering under a short dress in chillier climes or more traditional cultures, perfect for lounging around the house/apartment/hostel/farm/commune, and also function as my cold-weather PJ bottoms! The black color helps with their versatility, too!

Lowa Trailrunners 

I went through quite a process to find the perfect shoes to bring on this trip.

I knew I’d be hiking in many types of weather, and doing a lot of regular walking. I didn’t want super chunky boots for packing reasons. I went to my favorite outdoor store in Tucson, Summit Hut, no fewer than three times to find the best shoe. I even bought a pair and tried them out at home for a day; when they weren’t quite right, the kind folks at Summit Hut let me return them.

The ones I finally ended up deciding on (shout out to Jess for her patience and GREAT recommendation!) were Lowa S-Curve Mesh WS.

My Lowas even ran in Olympic Stadium. Bamf!

Although they’re not waterproof, they dried very quickly so even hiking on the rainy Isle of Skye was no problemo. They got me half-way up (and down) Mount Olympus, and despite all their wear are still as comfy as ever. Because of the mesh, they’re also really easy to pack into my suitcase, and have excellent traction for all kinds of terrain. Win!

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Istanbul in the Snow: A Photo Essay

11 Friday Jan 2013

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes, they’re right.

Instead of going on and on about how I’ve never experienced a real winter in my life, I’ll spare you all my thoughts on how magical everything looks in the snow and instead give you a glimpse of the images I captured the other day on our walk around our neighborhood in Istanbul, Sariyer, which has a fishing village feel along the Bosphorus.
The view from the end of an alleyway.
Just look how snow transforms everyday objects like scaffolding into something pretty and poetic! Zounds!
Roses in the snow.
The mosque near our apartment.
Looks like a few folks still wanted to play on the playground in the bad weather.
The fishermen are there selling their fresh wares come rain or come shine.
These boats aren’t goin’ anywhere today.
Neither are these, I reckon…
All the stray doggies like looking pensive in the snow.
Ataturk looking stately in front of the Turkish flag.
Yes, that is our neighborhood Burger King in the background…
Side-by-side footprints in the snow.

 

4 Ways To Save Money in Istanbul

05 Saturday Jan 2013

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Istanbul is one of those cities that is surrounded by some sort of mystery. Enchantment, some might call it. And enchanting it is. Just walk along the pier and watch the fishermen, meander through the bazaar, or soak in the minaret-studded skyline at dusk and you’ll know it is somewhere special.

The view from our (super cheap) ferry ride.


Like any other big tourist hub, though, Istanbul is certainly a place where–if you’re not careful–your money will slip through your fingers. So how to avoid it? Here are 5 tips to keep your pocketbook balanced and your wanderlust sated!
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Trip Update: What’s Up for 2013

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Destinations, Travel Musings

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Right now, I’m based in Istanbul, Turkey until the first week of February. I’m working on writing projects, graduate school applications (only one left!) and spending quality time with my darling, as well as exploring one of the most mystical cities on the planet.

But what’s next on the docket, Miss Button? 

After struggling with where we’d go for the week-long vacation from work my boyfriend has, (we did toy with Morocco, but in the end the flight prices were too much for my current pocketbook) we are heading to a country I’ve been pumped to see for months: Croatia! Our itinerary isn’t set yet, but we are flying into Zagreb, and I think we will stay north (we only have about 5 full days there anyway, and we’d rather see more of the country than spend too much time getting from one place to the next). I’d like to hit up some places in Istria, especially Rovinj.

Then what? After a whirlwind tour of Croatia, we’ll have to part ways again and I’ll continue north to Slovenia. I’m going to hang out in Ljubljana, and also do a day trip to Lake Bled.

Pretty, huh? Source

After that, I’m going to FINALLY visit Prague, which literally every single person I’ve ever talked to who has been there says is one of the most wonderful cities ever. I hope it hasn’t been built up too much…

And if it has, I’ll roll on to Dresden, then chug on to Berlin.

Big news: On February 28th, I’ll head stateside. I’m landing in one of my favorite cities of ALL TIME: New York City. I’m planning on spending time there with friends and family, and then will take a cheap bus up to Boston & its surroundings again to see family & friends. I’ll be back in Tucson for St. Patty’s Day.

But wait, isn’t that shorter than your original trip idea? What about SE Asia? Australia? 

Never fear! I still have some wonderful adventures for 2013 in the works, many of which will involve more bumbling! Plus, I’ll continue blogging about all the wonderful things to do, places to eat and sights to see on the East Coast, back in my beautiful hometown, and wherever else I go!

Where do you want to adventure in 2013?