Fertile Crescent Full Moon Rising: May 2013

And a crack of thunder starts ‘the rest of the evening’. I knew something was up earlier this evening when I went out for a run and the wind had kicked up considerably.  Storm clouds were brewing on the horizon. Significant enough, without rain, that it kept me off the track.

Yep, the sky just parted and here we go… yippee!  The week has been hot. A preview of the typical Anatolian rolling hills summer. Rain was unexpected.  Just another ‘thing’ that I will think of from time to time when considering my time spent here and make me smile.

The rain backs off to let the sweet winds take the spotlight.  Like light kisses on my shoulders.  My hair is whisping in joyous freedom.

I’m on my lanai (balcony) looking out to the night sky.  I see a skyline of apartments to my NE and SE. Looks so beautiful.  I can tell I’m getting nostalgic. The day will soon arrive when I leave Gaziantep- perhaps for good.  Admittedly, I would like to briefly return in 10 years to see how much has been built up around Karatas & Gaziantep University neighborhoods as far out as Zirve. Antepia will be completely built up (luxury apartment concept living).

Everything shifts in a matter of weeks.  My little corner of the universe suddenly expands to points around the globe.  I’m set to be a drifter for 2+ months. I will be drifting from Hawaii to Oregon to Michigan to DC to NYC and finally back home to Maui to kiss it adieu one more time as I set off for greener pastures? Well, not exactly.  I will trot off into the sunset and end up on the other side of the world- yet again. Destination known: Bahrain- thought to be the ancient civilization of Dilmun, “The Place Where The Sun Rises”, where copper was traded throughout Mesopotamian civilizations. It is cited in The Epic of Gilgamish, which I have just recently read incidentially, on Sumerian cuneiform tablets.

As a side dish, I have 2 really interesting options for travel on Mainland Amerika this summer:

1.        Drive across the country from Oregon to the UP of Michigan in a semi-truck. 

2.       Fly across the country from Oregon to the UP of Michigan in a small, 2-seater plane.

I will see how #2 progress… Of course there is always the good, old-fashioned travel option to go via passenger airlines…

So here is how this Friday evening is progressing: Miss Corporal Punishment came over and we’re sitting out on the lanai figuring out the inner workings of the universe. She went out to procure some cigarettes from Miss Major Pain, as well as harass Beat-Boy-B about where our cocktails are…I expect her mission will be successful.

Speaking of successful missions, we are Turkey Trotting tomorrow, a group of us intrepid Homo sapiens… We are off adventuring to Adıyaman and Nemrut Dağ, where legend has it that King Antiochus is buried.

Semi-successful mission: we’re drinking white wine instead, and whining!

The storm lasted about 10 minutes and now the moon is enshrouded in a veil of vaporous air. I think tomorrow will be a most excellent day. We have our own shuttle to shuttle us around while we eat, drink and be merry.

Turkey Trotting: Ankara

Glorious Saturday morning in bed with a coconut/pineapple face mask on. Freshly showered, loofah'd and glowing... awaiting... the next adventure...  I nixed the morning run, due to the previous evening's shenanigans...

To elaborate, it was the inner circle gathering up at my place: mood music, blue lights, books, maps, balcony viewing of the landscape, pupus ('appetizers' or 'nibbles' as we term it in Hawaiian Creole English), okolehau ('booze' as we commonly term it in Hawaiian Creole English), and conversation. At one point we started to do what we had originally set out to do- watch 'The Hunger Games', but couldn't push ourselves over our limits. So, we continued to talk and drink until everyone departed.
As I was cleaning up the aftermath, 2 more (fashionably late) party-goers stopped in...

So that explains my slow morning.  Even the coffee wasn't taking its usual course.  At any rate, I'm prepared.  This weekend I'm off to Ankara- Turkey's capital city.  A mixture of business/pleasure. Now, Ankara isn't usually one of the 'great' cities people talk about, but it does have its redeeming qualities... you can buy (over-priced) pork there; you can (buy an over-priced) drink in beautiful people-watching cafes there; you can take yoga classes there; you can shop-till-you-drop there, etc.

*Baconfest 2013*
detailed details to soon follow...

As I am running late today, I'm multi-tasking: throwing together a day bag (for 4 days); refreshing all my podcasts & music in Ipod; charging iPad and iPhone (I know, 'branding; to the max). Because a Hawaii denizen is always thinking about the beach, wherever they are no matter how land-locked of a situation they are in, I always have to think about a bikini to accompany me- you know, just in case...

The weather looks like it is going to hold-out (not too hot, and not too cold but just right) so this is a good thing.  I'm surprised it's not blazing hot here in G-tep this morning.  Again, this 'spring fever' concept fascinated me- most especially how the weather plays ping-pong.

I have lots to divulge, but that is going to have to occur at a later date as I need to scrub off this pineapple/coconut plaster face mask that seems to be petrifying onto my skin... I might add, though, that it is organic and you can actually eat it... I know, weird right? I also have an organic chocolate lip mask/scrub that one can eat off if one so chooses... I have all the shits and giggles here at my apartment...

So, I bid you all adieu now and will scurry off to get it together and pull off this 'escape from Gaziantep' long weekend. 

Foul Weather/Foul Politricks... what's in store for the day?

Another severely overcast day, another extremely relaxing morning lounging in bed with coffee.  Yesterday played out like a yo-yo: up/down/up/down. period. My evening run brought sole solace to me. Of course, the Gaziantep University track team never disappoints... One of the guys came up to me post-run and asked me if I could teach them some yoga.  I'm happy to oblige.

What always keeps me on my toes on the track is tracking the futbol(s) as the soccer teams are always practicing as well. It's like rush-hour with balls coming from all angles.  One day I will get pegged for sure.  I assume I'll be in good hands at that point...

So you all can catch yourselves up with relevant news in my region with this, and then return here:

http://www.policymic.com/articles/41227/43-killed-in-car-bomb-blasts-near-the-turkey-s-border-with-syria

Now, I'm at least 3 hours away from this, but there is residue.  It is a very delicate situation, this situation.  The PM and his cohorts initially didn't want to point fingers at any one group, and even went so far as to explain that this could be due to the PKK peace process currently in effect where PKK members are exiting SE Turkey and going into Iraqi Kurdistan (this was a result from talks between Erdoğan and Ocalan in the past few months). Of course, there are some peeps that don't want this to go so smoothly, but considering this happened in Hatay Province (where the majority of Syrian refugees are), it seems to sway to "this" agenda.  Was it Assad? Was it Turkey? Was it the US thugs and their thugs (Israel, etc)? Let's be real- all governments are thugs in most respects.Was it a concentrated effort from many "sides"?

I don't know what to believe anymore. But this is also an interesting article to, perhaps, help shed some light...

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139373/efraim-halevy/israels-man-in-damascus?cid=soc-twitter-in-snapshots-israels_man_in_damascus-051015

Anyway, things will reveal themselves in time- as they always do. And we will still not know exactly what we are being fed by the media, etc. I have my ideas.  I also have my cravings, and last night I was craving Syrian food from my favorite new restaurant in town.  After some deliberation though, I decided not to go as I just didn't want to get 'involved' in 'anything'- and this is being awfully vague I realize, but you would understand if you are 'boots on the ground' here. This was a sucky decision and I'm not proud of it, but I have to accept this. I have my reasons, and I have my distant memories of another time and place and situation... I think you all know I was in the wrong place at the wrong time once before...

So, I made a grilled cheese sandwich instead.  And continued to keep up with the Twitterverse news updates... Fortunately Solo_ojo came over to break me away from my laptop.  Rum and cokes galore.  It turned out to be a rather melancholy Saturday evening, but honestly many of them are... Anyway, it got me thinking about timing.  It is probably a good time to be wrapping things up here in Gaziantep.

Three cups of coffee later and I am ready to slowly greet the morning.  I'm still not ready to jump outta bed and go for a run.  Perhaps I'll wait for the frisbee crew. Perhaps it will rain again. It certainly looks threatening.   Should I do some laundry? Yes, I should. Should I clean my apartment? Yes, I should. Should I start packing up stuff? Yes, I should. Should I drink more coffee? No, I shouldn't. Should I procrastinate longer? Maybe I should...

Spring Fling

Saturday morning in bed pondering readjusting myself to get up and brew some coffee.  Yikes, no milk... Ugh. Trek downstairs to buy some (means getting dressed), or pop over to PsychoWard's next door to borrow some (means getting semi-dressed).  Option B it is... Shit, PsychoWard's not up yet... Time to be a tough cookie and take my coffee black...

Yea! BeatBoy Brandon saves the morning and actually answers his door at 8:30 AM on a Saturday and accommodates me with da cream.  Happy coffee-girl now.  So I continue on with my thought process while the Guatemala Antiga (coffee bean for you neophytes out there) is brewing:

I must start off with a current weather report here in Gaziantep:  It is kinda 'brisk' this morning- in comparison with the last week's anyway.  Yesterday late afternoon this 'Killer Hail From Heaven' rained down on us here in G-tep.  It was like nothing I have ever seen before.  I had just finished my run and was gracing Solo_ojo's presence when it 'happened.' The day was threatening rain all day- storm clouds on the horizon sitting low all day while at work and thunder/lightning show on the service bus back to Cell Block D...

For close to 10 minutes it hailed golf balls.  People were getting pegged. When I finally had the courage to leave Solo_ojo's (Cell Block B), I took with me a frying pan of his so I could safely arrive to Cell Block D.  I made it without much ado, but it was freaky.  I wonder if all those hot Gaziantep University track team dudes got stuck in the hailstorm... Speaking of, have I mentioned how AWESOME my runs have been lately... I'm all about inspiration...

Because of this atmospheric disturbance, the morning is 'chilly' by my standards. This means that I don't have to jump outta bed and run before it becomes extremely hot.  So I now have some time to chill out and let you guys in on a few secrets of mine as of late. I've been Plotting as you know. Plot A has surfaced, so Plot A it is. Where it is IS a different story though.  I still know not. But I'm prepared for across the planet. Due to this, Plan B is also still in effect standing ready- this is also an awesome option...

Ankara is on the agenda next weekend.  Time to catch up with The SunDevils as I affectionately call them (Reb and Stev-O).  I feel a weekend of debauchery coming up, BUT there is an even greater reason for my visit- SO the weekend can't be too debauchery-laden... I have an 8-page Health Verification Form that must be filled out by a US Embassy sponsored doctor- hence the visit to Ankara. Unfortunately the appointment has to wait until the following Tuesday so... 4-DAY weekend!!! Monday is a 1st round of tests that I have to pass (urinalysis and TB) before Tuesday's (everything else I assume) tests can occur. So, let the healthiness begin! I think there is even going to be a show-and-tell session at Bilkent University on Monday...

What I do know about my upcoming weekend is that BaconFest 2013 is going to occur! I also know that I'm going shopping. I also know that I'll be boozing a wee-bit. Sure to be in prime health form.  I also know that Wednesday is going to be rough... haha. Final Exams at the university... The place is going to be a dysfunctional, chaotic mess- and imma love every minute of it because it is my last here at this university. 

Truth be known, I'm already feeling nostalgic about leaving G-tep. As I trotted off to Solo_ojo's office yesterday to escape (as I always do)- regardless of if he's in his office or not- I realize that soon I will not be able to do this activity anymore.  Soon there will be no more 'fantasy email' moments in the PD Center.  Will I ever find another office-mate that likes to keep the shades down all day and lights off? (Solo_ojo affectionately coined me as the "Princess of Darkness". He always knows when I've sequestered myself away in his office as the shades are drawn and lights off). Soon there will be no more history discussions with Sensei-Says in his office. No more trips to the Psycho-Ward Chart Room. The Food Trough days are coming to a close too (not that I trot off to the Food Trough too much, but when I do, it's always a visual adventure). I will no longer be able to consult with Boracle. There are so many more of 'soon-no-mores' that I don't have time to share, but I chalk it all up to an unforgettable experience that is part of the path I'm on and I adore my path. 

Ah yes, must put that on the list of things to do- take my Turkish Buddy out to dinner this week.  She helped me through all the major obstacles there was to get used to.  She might not even know it, but she is BIG for me. I know great things are in store for us both! I hope she will keep a blog while she is in America this summer- a picture blog too!

Spring Fest 2013 was this past week on campus.  Tuesday was the most awesome day on campus for my entire 2-years here.  Here is the link for the pictures to give evidence why:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151434124023301.1073741825.595448300&type=1

A short break to talk about my coffee experience this morning- I've brewed up a rousing medium blend of Guatemala Antiga that delights the senses.  My fingers are typing faster than my brain accounts for- so, I won't be editing because I simply cannot be bothered.  I think you all know the routine by now. It's a loosely-weaved story of stories all rolled up into 1 blog posting.  So yes, this is how coffee helps me when I have no desire for boundaries concerning writing. When pouring the boiled water into the French Press, one must do so at a slow yet even pace.  There must be (air) bubbles- so the aroma can escape and titillate the senses in an ever OH-so-teasing way. So much as to make me drool in anticipation sometimes.  It MUST 'steep' for 5 minutes- in my book anyway.  This makes for an extended drool factor. The anticipation builds up and then, while you still have your wits about yourself and almost ready to burst, you busy yourself with another activity; preparing your coffee mug.  For me, this entails a little milk (I will miss Solo_ojo's cream concoction) and 1 packet of stolen brown sugar (L-Fezz I will carry on that tradition wherever I go). It's all about the coffee mug  you choose as well. I have a few in rotation; the adorable Bald Ibis mug I bought while visiting Mustafa in Biricik (near Halfeti); the requisite 'HAWAII' mug; the 'accept all religions' mug I bought during a Turkey Trot to Hatay.  Take note guest of my place- your rank/status can be determined simply by the coffee mug I offer you. Distinguished guests most commonly receive the 'HAWAII' mug, but external factors can influence this- and I have no control over these external factors...

Break over
So, it seems quite breezy out today as well.  The sun is not penetrating my double-layer of curtains (yea, I travel with my own set of colorful silk curtains for this specific purpose) so this is a good sign of the day to come- in terms of running at noon and not melting on the track.  The Petek Apartmentlari and Friends Ultimate Frisbee Team will be tossing at around noon today as well so... a healthy agenda for the day.  Other exciting tasks to accomplish today are; an eye exam with Robbelowski, and getting to the Vakif Bank ATM- woot woot. That about covers it... Tonight's mission? Not sure yet. 

Oh, Katie-girl, FYI I started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer again- from the beginning.  I'm 4 epi's into Season 1.  Very exciting news actually as I ADORE Buffy.  As the story goes, I was Benny-sitting on Thursday as the Turkish Princess was late in coming back from work so I decided I needed to school him in some old-school tele series. I think I hooked him on it. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't already been on Dizi-Mag and streamed some epis...

Well, that about covers it for today as far as my Cerebral Cortex and Cerebellum are concerned- in terms of working in tandem to produce some sort of cryptic text.  Coffee has kicked in. I'm happy. Time to have a KICK ASS day- and then tell you all about it tomorrow...

cheers,
HollyMissBerry

location, location, location...

It seems I've been scouting out potential locations for the past 6 months- either in cyberspace or through Turkey Trotting.  I've even gone so far as to google Erzurum this evening... Wouldn't that be something- Erzurum... For those of you in the know, you know what I'm talking about...

Today, as all weekend days are, was awesome. My morning run was hot and sweaty (why did I wait until 9 AM to go running?) Our Zirve Ultimate Frisbee Crew was on the field- competing for space with all the little league kids playing futbol. I managed 4 miles before I caved in to the demands from the sun that I either stop or pass out... The frisbee crew is getting larger and larger and, if we can ever get the field to ourselves, we can actually have a match... It's a constant adjustment of moving around and staying out of the way of the futbollers... They look at us with equal fascination. 

Due to the heat, I adjust my running attire accordingly- much to the amusement of the local population apparently. The little tykes are just adorable though and never miss an opportunity, each time I run a lap, to shyly shout out, "Kolay Gelsin", and crack a toothy smile at me.  Anyway, I love these mornings as I see the real slice of life here.

Currently my thoughts are being drowned out by incessant honking and the loudest firecrackers I have ever heard.  Galatasaray won their futbol match against Sivasspor so the city in my university neighborhood is going off the richtor.  All you can see is a  sea of yellow and red on the streets and flags flowing from the cars speeding by as they race up and down 'the strip' here.  I'll miss it actually...

As I view the 'show' from my top floor lanai (balcony), I see that traffic is at a standstill.  It's like a parade has shut down the flow of cars.  People are standing out of their cars and walking around. Amusing. It's only 10:30 PM so we'll see how much longer this remains *amusing* to me...

Back to the future.  I hope to know where I will be going within 2 weeks on the subject of future.  Plot B is still .. Izmir (in case Plot A turns out to be Pakistan I suppose). And just where exactly is the Democratic Republic of Congo? Sri Lanka you say? I say 'cool'- there is surf and yoga there... Honduras: great cup o coffee there as I recall... Mongolia? Yak butter will be all the rage for my diet. India: I love me some saris. Algeria? I fell in love with the Kasbah from watching the movie, "Algiers." Russia: not crazy about, but I can do anything for 10 months I suppose...

Okay, I hear cars getting crazy out there and lots of burning rubber.  Seriously, the car honking has been going steady for at least 20 minutes now.

On to more interesting news... it's wildflower season.  The southeast Anatolian Plains are filled with wildflowers- as far as the eye can see.  The Poppies are especially magical. The Blood Red hue is so amazing.  Oh, and the roses.  OMG the roses.  They are exploding everywhere in this city.  They are falling off their vines- heavy and saturated with smells that turn your world around.  All the hills are still green, but that will change this week as it's been a very hot week.  There are some trees, especially on the Gaziantep University campus, that are flowering with both white and a dusty-rose color.  The smell that is wafting from them is simply divine.  I get a whiff here and there while walking around.  I don't know what the tree variety is, but it reminds me of a delicate Mock Orange bush back in The Islands.

The Islands. The Sandwich Islands. Hawaii. My home awaits me for the summer. I dream of my Baldwin Beach sunset run. I dream of my Haiku Road morning run.  I dream about yoga- any time of the day. I dream of new bikinis. The dream is so close to reality now. I dream of picking purple Passion Fruit and having the juices run down my mouth. I dream of the waterfalls and pools to swim in. I dream of FOOD- wholesome, healthy (dare I say 'organic') food. I dream of full moon parties and sounds of the booming bass at sunrise after a night of wild, reckless abandon and dancing and frolicking with friends. I dream of getting down and earthy. I dream of getting sky high from the good life. Of course, I dream of leaving all that to and heading off to the next adventure where my dreams are new and different dreams...

11 PM and the noise outside is still at unmanageable levels- at least in terms of trying to sleep, or study, or lesson plan... So I continue to type this text. Let's see, what else can I amuse you guys with? Oh, well the trio of goddesses (the Turk, the Iranian-Azeri and the Hawaiian) trotted off to... Metro today to do some quality shopping.  Well, I speak for myself as I stocked up on such necessities as Rum, Tequilla and South African white wine... I can't forget the precious corn tortillas that I can ONLY find at Metro as well.  And the peanut butter (why is this so difficult to obtain here?) Hey, what a great idea- I can open up a bottle right now as a matter of fact.  I mean, I'm certainly not going to sleep anytime soon...

* sound of wine cork popping *  And that awkward moment when you realize you are trying to open up a screw-top cap with a corkscrew... Looks like it's a Chilean white wine tonight folks. Bonus: an unbroken wine glass remains with a beautiful fluted stem... *sips and sighs*

For all you readers out there, I just started a new book, "Rome on the Euphrates" by Freya Stark.  If you don't know the author, check her. She's considered the 'doyenne' of Middle East travel writers. Seriously, the picture on the back, she looks like the female version of Lawrence of Arabia. As far as I can tell from the 1st 50 pages, she concentrates on the major (war) campaigns in/around Asia Minor circa 200 BC;, but she focuses on the eastern limits of the Roman Empire- on the Euphrates River. It's a big, thick book...

I still have the taste of Cappadocia on me.  I really wanted that to work out, but alas another path was meant to be for me... I am beginning to feel like a tumbleweed that just keeps on the move. Sometimes the wind dies down and I stay put for a while, but then the wind zephyr always whips up again and blows me to all parts of 'the empire'.

It looks like the wind will blow me to Ankara in 2 weeks as I need to do a complete physical exam with a doctor that is okayed by the US Embassy... The form is 8 PAGES LONG.  I get the idea that the doctor is going to explore areas that I don't even explore... Rebecca and Steve prepare yourselves for my imminent arrival (code word for 'bring out the bacon and booze'). Have car we go holoholo all over da kine places. Also, let me know what you want me to bring from Gaziantep. So yes, this physical is the next step in 'the process'.  The process is exhausting. I'm up for the cause though.

It's like I'm in an amphitheater and the crowd is cheering the gladiators on. It is absolute chaos outside still.  If that's the case, I definitely see myself wearing a white linen long, flowing toga with gold embroidery on the bodice,  and I'm holding up a cup of wine because I pay homage, of course, to the mighty god Dionysus... I should have a bowl of fruit: grapes and figs. And nuts. And dried apricots.  There should be a handsome attendant at my beckoning too.  He should be scantily clothed... He would probably be from the outskirts of the Empire.  I would probably worship the moon goddess- which means many secret ceremonies and initiation rites.  I would, obviously, adore this.

Alright then, back to the present. I'm on my couch, in my favorite Hawaiian lava lava (sarong) getting a bit tipsy and wondering when I will sleep tonight and if this noise will ever die down...

Iron Man 3: Here is a short synopsis. It's decent.  It's entertaining.  RDJ rocks. Gwenyth Paltrow looks like a skinny raisin. Plot is entertaining. Jon Favreau (producer director and small part as "Happy") is AWESOME. Totally worth the money and risk of going to 'the mall' (Sanko Park). Yea, that's right, I still detest shopping malls. They just creep me out.

I'm done here-

running outta time in G-tep

A day off to catch up with my thoughts, and my plots... It's always good to have a day off in the middle of one's work week.  It feels like one is playing hookey, or being truant- not that I'd know anything about this sort of subversive activity.

As I was on an all-night bus ride Sunday evening, I was  completely exhausted at work on Monday morning.  I arrived at the otogar at around 3:30 AM and got back to my place at 4:00 AM. This meant 3 hours of sleep before getting up (*yawn*) and heading to work.  I was tired. I was sun burnt. I was recovering from an interesting weekend...

So last night was a wacky night. I awoke to a sunny morning (summer temperatures arrived while I was gone last weekend, apparently), yet I couldn't find the strength to get up and go on my morning run.  Instead I lazed around and had Solo_ojo over for loads of coffee.  Wardo Warden came over as well to entertain us.  Up on my deck, we all watched the world go by- unbeknownst to most all...

The plan was formulated: the dudes were going to play frisbee and I was going to go on a run.  We trotted off to Gaziantep University's futbol field and got to work.  Again, my runs have been so awesome lately.  Nothing can stop me at this point- not even the searing heat... After a little yoga session on the grass, we were ready to tackle some lunch. The Syrian Connection joined us as well as Robbelowsky at our favorite Karincayuvasi restaurant.

Somehow the rest of the day got away from me.  I know I went grocery shopping at some point. Oh, right- that reminds me: food... So, today was a strange day in terms of my gastronomic desires.  I desired loads of sugar. I can say that I bought cookies, chocolate and potato chips... Not sure the reason, but it seemed logical at the time.  I've had a mild stomach ache ever since, but decided that ultimately it was a decent thing to do... It reminded me of reading an interview once with Arnold Schwarzenegger (?) on his diet.  He said that 6 days a week he trained and watched his food intake, but 1 day every week he could eat whatever he wanted- even if it was a dozen donuts.  I decided that I liked that idea, so I try to loosely adhere to it I suppose.

Late afternoon some thunderhead clouds were forming on the northwestern horizon.  "Joy" I thought as I would have front row seats up on my deck for a wicked show.  It never arrived. I had already had my heart set on watching some movies (what a better thing to do on a soon-to-be-stormy day), so I closed the drapes to shield out the sun and abated myself sufficiently into thinking that it actually was a rainy day and proceeded to watch Stanley Kubrick's "Lolita" and season a of "Fast Forward" (unfortunately some of the epis of FF were downloaded with Spanish dubbing and Turkish subtitles so that was rather amusing).

It's 10:30 pm and the carriage is soon to turn back into a pumpkin and I will realize that I must work tomorrow. My stomach still hurts from all the strange food I shoveled in today, but I do have a smile on my face. 

So folks, this was my day. This is what occupied my brain today. I know- dull. But knowing that I had a dull day in SE Turkey just seems more exciting than having a dull day in Hawaii me thinks...

Oh yea, Plan A...Gotta love Plan A...

Lost in transition...

NOTE: I just found this in my drafts. I forgot to publish this one

Ever the sleuths here in G-tep, Solo_ojo and I headed to G-tep University campus after work today in search of the new quiver of cruiser bikes on campus that you can pick up/discard at your own will.  I noticed them last Saturday while running and on Sunday decided to spock it out after my run.  Yep, it works, and works well.

So we were walking throughout the entire campus and not one bike was to be seen- until the end of the journey... What happened? Did all the bikes get stolen since their debut last weekend? I did manage to see another one while I was on my run right after that. Of course, Solo_ojo wasn't there to see that it really was true...

We were also to spock out this new eatery, or at least new to us.  Rumor Mill has it that they serve "Philadelphia Cheese Steak doner durum... Well, we were skeptical surely.  Anyway, I bowed out as I wanted to go for a run, and had recently eaten another sub-par durum... Apparently they were decent as I hear from the coconut wireless....

Right now: well, I'm on my couch, my belly full (uhmmmmm da kine, rum/cokes... I'm listening to AC/DC Back in Black on repeat. Yep, repeat. Fun shit.

I'm doing a bit of research tonight as well- as I'm in the perfect state-of-mind being pleasantly lit. It's been a week of small successes.  I have big news in a few areas, but not ready to divulge to you yet... Just know that my life has been forward-future-facing since February 1st.  Anyway, I visualize the future as a story in National Geographic Magazine-I did say I was pleasantly lit, right?

I'm happy to report that my running and yoga practices are flourishing.  Feels so good- this thing coined  'spring fever'. It's like falling in love all over again- every time. Speaking of falling in love all over again, I just rediscovered my spring/summer wardrobe! All the fall/winter crap stored away already or at the dry cleaners to prepare for storage- long term storage- inshallah.

Yea, it's nice to open up my armoire and see COLOR! Oh and strappy sandals

AC/DC is seriously pumping through my veins right now. 

Sunday Salutations From Afar: Uç, Beş, Sekiz

Sunday salutations from afar: Uç, Beş, Sekiz...

Laying in bed- in a strange bed. It is not my own, but it belongs to not one other person. Yep, you guessed it, I'm on the road and woke up in a sweet little cave. 

Listening to brother Iz Kamawiwo'ole and feeling homesick for Hawaii. Almost brings a tear to my eye, how I love that place and hold it so close to my heart wherever I go.

Oh now, "White Sandy Beach in Hawaii" talk about a tear jerker right now.  The sound of the ocean soothes my restless soul.

Enough of the theatrics...I'm coming to the realization that my (current) destiny will be determined shortly... Where will I go? "Country Roads Take Me Home"- that's right, my next home... BRING IT !

I've made some new connections on this journey- or old-ish connections, but now deeper. A great group of people here I was exposed to. 

I've now moved on to my favorite Drum and Bass podcast, Hospital Records. Danny Bird rockin it up now. 

Wow what a change in direction from my state of mind: Iz Kamalawiwo'ole to Danny Bird. Let me sip some more coffee to bringg me up to speed... Speaking of coffee, this morning I'm drinking imposter coffee. Yes the instant variety. Although its always piss, I adore it because I know that whenever I'm drinking imposter coffee that I'm traveling with my trusty back-pack at my side. 

I had a lot of family memories this weekend.  I was watching a card game the other night and I tranced back in time. I immediately went to my brother Curt telling me "about a card game and did I want to play it?" I always said "yes" . And then we would proceed to play '52-Card pick up"... I will refrain from divulging what exactly "52-Card Pick Up" is, so readers you'll have to google it...

I was out cruising on an ATV all day yesterday with intermittent hikes across the landscape. I was brought back to going backpacking with my dad and brothers and I think Sister Sherry, one time. It was prolly my first backpacking trip, and I'm sure I carried a tiny backpack because I was only about 7 years old maybe. But I remember the large canvas tent.  I remember us being so exhausted after hiking up through these switchbacks at the top/end of the trail. We were all tired. It was near sunset. I remember. 

So, life is quite irie this weekend. It feels just awesome to be in such an other-worldly landscape. It's like a snake shedding its winter skin. That is what has taken place here folks. Not that this doesn't happen frequently, but it was kicked up a few notches this weekend. Should keep me refreshed for at least a week- until Turkey Trotting next weekend to... maybe Diyarbakir (note to self: tell Solo_ojo that were going to Diyarbakir next weekend). Weekend after... let's see I believe we (da gargoyles and BK) are heading to Adiyaman and THE Nemrut Dağ *sigh*. All you archaeologists take note... That means you, Putzi... 

Yea, I'm nearing the end of this run. On the subject of run/running, I've had some beauties the last few days. Everything is on high definition color. "And did you see the dragons in the refrigerator?" (That was an inside joke that likely only I will get perhaps) *chortle*

Rambling on... Damn this 'spring fever' syndrome is awesome! I mean in Hawaii you start to dream about the sun after a 5-day run of clouds/rain- which is rare...

That's all folks 

Holly's got her groove going...

So, the setting: Sunday morning on my couch post French Press coffee and eggs over easy. Post stupid Mermaid Solitaire card game iPad app that I'm currently addicted to (well there are mermaids granting treasure chests of things upon winning, and pirate hats and broken bits of seaglass, etc). I have this new 'regime routine' that I tried out last weekend, and have decided that I'm digging it.

Instead of waking up on the weekends and racing outta the apartment to get my run in on the weekends, I'm not in cruise control mode until about 11am and then go running.  The weather is just so pleasant now... It is perfect temperatures to be running and not sweating profusely- that will come in about 3 weeks so ima gonna soak up this 'regime routine' until I melt...

Yesterday's run proved to be especially fruitful. It was also nice to see friends on the field playing, or attempting to, ultimate frisbee- they were weaving in/out of the soccer games going on simultaneously. Anyway, 2.5 miles of running and 2.5 miles of walk/sprints = AWESOME. The cooldown yoga session was icing on the cake. Still though, I find it difficult to get into my (yoga) practice out in the public like that.  The peeps still stare at me like I'm doing something indecent... What I see is indecent: I see the soccer players warming up/cooling down with exercises that date back to the 1960s- when they had it all wrong and lead the way for sports medicine experts to finally tell them in. Seriously, sitting on peoples butts while they are trying to do a pull-up of sorts is SO FUCKING BAD FOR YOUR BACK!!! I'm amazed these coaches are teaching their young athletes these potentially damaging moves...

I sometimes see the kids staring at me- and some of the older ones I notice trying to do these stretches as well.  This makes me happy in that someone is able to make some connections about the benefits- vs what they are exposed to... Nuff said.

Yesterday was a very productive day downtown cruising w/the Solo_ojo.  Such mundane topics as getting my favorite Camper Maryjane shoes soles re-glued and buffed, a photo opp of the next batch of passport-sized photos I will inevitably need for the next locale, fresh-squeezed OJ purchase from my favorite juice seller... Oh, and get this- managed to fall in love with some more fabric as I strolled the fabric store w/my tailor while looking for fabric for Solo_ojo's new 3-piece suit he desires... I'm not sure what happened, but I was sporting my favorite Italian jacket and I saw this material (dreamy material) that hit my fancy and just knew it had to be... So... Unfortunately, I was wearing a tube-top underneath my jacket so I couldn't leave it w/Mehmet back at his atelier.  Peeps here frown upon that sort of thing- being scantily clothed... Another reason to pack it up and hoof it somewhere else- not that the next exit will be any more liberated I suppose... it's possible though.

 After a very successful day downtown, we ended up at our fav watering hole here in Gaziantep- Ekim 29.  As always, an assortment of colorful characters- ourselves included- to consider. Nothing like throwing back a few  pints of Tuborg Gold 100% Malt Liquor while listening to some awesome revolutionary music. LOVE this spot and will miss it dearly. This is one of the spots that will most remind me of what is particularly awesome about Gaziantep.

Slightly inebriated, we decided to hoof it through the gazillions of parks and hit up Sanko Park as Solo_ojo needed something from GNC. Seriously, that place is like the upper eschalon of the vitamin world here in Turkey.  The stuff is all crap.  It's all filled with fillers.  I would never even DARE to check out that shit back in America.  AND, it's incredibly expensive here.  He showed me some of this powder supplement he had bought (90TL!), and it was 1/3 full when opening it up at home. Yes, it was sealed before opening... Fucking criminal if you ask me.

The 'mall' is always an interesting experience.  Absolutely hate it and what it stands for. Everything reeks of China: cheap quality and over-priced.  Peeps be eating it up here though.  I suppose the same is true in Amerika as well, but I never go to those places to witness the demise of humanity...

Weary from a day of sport and shop, we trotted off to the tramvay chariot, that was packed and we had to stand, that brought us back to our hood.

All in all, a pleasant weekend- considering I'm supposed to be in Cyprus this weekend. Ah, but you all know this already if you have read yesterday's blog which, incidentally, I penned while being mildly intoxicated... I have yet to re-visit that posting to see if something should be stricken actually...

Hopefully by my next posting I will be able to present to you all "the rest of the story..." I realize this is just a teaser.  Cliffhanger questions for you to consider:

Where will Holly go?
What will she do?
Will she find true love?
Just who the f*ck is Solo_ojo anyway?
Will Holly go for a run today?
Did Holly buy anything at Sanko Park and she's just not telling us?
How can Holly brag about drinking 100% malt liquor beer? Eewww gross

I know, titillating life I lead here in G-tep... sometimes

spiritual gangster kicks ass this week (best case scenario)

Ever the sleuths here in G-tep, Solo_ojo and I headed to G-tep University campus after work today in search of the new quiver of cruiser bikes on campus that you can pick up/discard at your own will.  I noticed them last Saturday while running and on Sunday decided to spock it out after my run.  Yep, it works, and works well. 

So we were walking throughout the entire campus and not one bike was to be seen- until the end of the journey... What happened? Did all the bikes get stolen since their debut last weekend? I did manage to see another one while I was on my run right after that. Of course, Solo_ojo wasn't there to see that it really was true...

We were also to spock out this new eatery, or at least new to us.  Rumor Mill has it that they serve "Philadelphia Cheese Steak doner durum... Well, we were skeptical surely.  Anyway, I bowed out as I wanted to go for a run, and had recently eaten another sub-par durum... Apparently they were decent as I hear from the coconut wireless....

Right now: well, I'm on my couch, my belly full (uhmmmmm da kine, rum/cokes... I'm listening to AC/DC Back in Black on repeat. Yep, repeat. Fun shit.

I'm doing a bit of research tonight as well- as I'm in the perfect state-of-mind being pleasantly lit. It's been a week of small successes.  I have big news in a few areas, but not ready to divulge to you yet... Just know that my life has been forward-future-facing since February 1st.  Anyway, I visualize the future as a story in National Geographic Magazine-I did say I was pleasantly lit, right?

I'm happy to report that my running and yoga practices are flourishing.  Feels so good- this thing coined  'spring fever'. It's like falling in love all over again- every time. Speaking of falling in love all over again, I just rediscovered my spring/summer wardrobe! All the fall/winter crap stored away already or at the dry cleaners to prepare for storage- long term storage- inshallah.

Yea, it's nice to open up my armoire and see COLOR! Oh and strappy sandals and slinky dresses... Oh hell yea, get me back to Maui ASAP, or the Mediterranean, or the Aegean.

Speaking of the Mediterranean, I'm supposed to be on Cyprus right now... Didn't work out this weekend, but I've got something up my sleeve to compensate. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to this week is the way I look at it.  It was a roller-coaster week with me anticipating some news that was expected.  Is all worked out, and I'm closing in on the finale.

AC/DC is seriously pumping through my veins right now, but as it's almost 1 AM, a switch to Bob Marley is in order. More appropriate Bewitching Hour music...

Yea, smooth: Knocking on Heaven's Door- wow sweet rendition. This week was a week of inspiration. Sure I complain, but it's all pretty good- this life. I'm up for the adventure. I'm up for the challenge of what materializes next.  I know I'm definitely stoked for an American Summer: Hawaii bound and in need to chilling out in the rainforest; chilling out at the beach; chilling out in Haiku; chilling out in Hana; Then Oregon, then the UP of Michigan, then Cali, then East Coast, etc...

But Hawaii... it's always all about heading back home to the Islands.  Fuck yea. I can smell the sweet grasses of Haiku wafting down the gulch as I'm running at sunset. I can smell the night blooming jasmine in the air so strong that I choke on its sensual embrace. I can smell the rain. Yes that's right- the rain. There is nothing like rain in the rainforest. Listening to the symphony of water hitting the corrugated tin roof late at night, or in the morning while still in bed drinking coffee, or on a lazy afternoon where you don't want to leave your dwelling because you are just so content to... well... you know... just space out and enjoy the fuck outta life.

I think for everybody that there is not a feeling to compare of going back home. All the memories. All life from there picks up right where you left it off.  You walk down the street of Paia and see peeps and chat them up and they ask, "hey, you been hiding out on the South Shore or something lately.  It's been a while since I've seen you!"  You just smile and start walking together and begin to weave your thoughts into a story and proceed from there. Where you, inevitably, end up at the beach. 

Yea I'm ready.  I can't wait to visit the archaeology lab and see what all the lab rats have been up to the past year. I can't wait to rummage around in Mana Foods looking at all the healthy food. I can't wait to walk around Paia town and window shop. I can't wait to EAT.

So, that's it for this post/walk down memory lane... I'll prolly not remember this one.  I hope it makes- nonsense...

French Press-perfect Sunday morning in the Cradle of Civilization

Sunday morning in the Fertile Crescent.  It's been a very productive, and social, morning and it is only 10:30 am. After yesterday's debacle of, and as a result of, drinking some rum/coke's Friday evening and watching "Constantine" with Keanu Reeves and great cast including Tilda Swinton and Rachael Weiss (actually a good flick). Waking up with an ever-so-slight (ahem) hangover, I opted to wait until noon to go for a run... It was, nevertheless, a difficult run and yoga session that followed. A few realizations: don't drink 3 rum/cokes on a Friday night; it's already too hot to go for a run in the afternoons here- especially with a hangover; most importantly, I've been hit with "spring fever"!

I'm loving this feeling- of lightness, of sunshine, of positive, of future endeavors, of the coming summer... Hawaii!!! This is such a great shift to live completely in the present- as sometimes I shift too much into 'future mode.'

So, that was yesterday's 'debacle'- which isn't really too bad of a debacle. I mean, I had fun Friday evening with Solo_ojo, I had some great exercise on Saturday, and now I am back to 'normal' this Sunday after passing out early last night. What is 'normal' anyway?

High on life post run this morning, I put on some burlesque music (yep, that's right), started brewing some coffee and... planning for my future... Luckily, the internet had been spotty all weekend, so plans for that got squashed immediately.  I delved further into my 'wicca' mood with some Nag Champa incense, Mexican chocolate soy candles and luscious Brazilian coffee straight from my back-up french press- which isn't great, but I'm glad I have the back up! Thank you Rachael (if you are reading this) for gifting me that little treasure when you left G-tep last summer!

Seline and Benny came over to soak up the morning rays on my deck, and Solo_ojo soon followed.  What a lovely Sunday morning, the 4 of us shooting the shit about America, Turkey, future-forward thinking topics such as: solar-powered windmills, immigrant communities, Bodrum summer vacations, desires, fantasies, realities, LIFE. Yea, good times indeed.  The duo is off to the zoo today. A perfect day for this excursion.  I remember going to the G-tep zoo with Azadeh  the winter before last. There was loads of snow and not a soul around... Fun day.

I'm headed downtown to soak in the day. It's that kind of glorious day today. There is this guy who has a 'curiosity-shop' of sorts. In my opinion, I am always curious about the things in his place as they are a bit different than typical bazaar stuff here.  He has a lot of books on Anatolian history and archaeology.  His store is the only place that I can find copies of "Anatolia Actual Archaeology Magazine (in English).  Expensive as a copy is (20TL each), it is worth it. He has a book that I want (100TL...), so I'm in the mode that I want to keep returning to check it out and establish more of a relationship with him and his family.  With my sparse Turkish, and their lack of English, it is always brief, but I love communicating with them.  This issue is full of history/current archaeological expedition news from Istanbul, Zeugma, (the forgotten kingdom of) Alalakh and Tell Tayinat (the capital of the Neo-Hittite Kingdom of Patina), Gordion and Sardis, etc.

Anatolian history is so captivating. The earlier periods, the better- in my humble opinion.  So, yes, the Çarsı is on my list today of places to visit, as well as Zincerli Bedestan, etc. It's also probably a good day to eat some delicious kebap, mostly because I hardly ever eat Kebap here... This being one of the 'things' in the back of my mind in terms of difficulties of getting access to health foods here. I like those days when I just give in and eat loads of kebap.

Yesterday a few of us went out for a late lunch to my favorite Syrian restaurant  a short walk from my apartment.  Ahmad accompanied Solo_ojo and myself. It was such a lovely day walking around the hood. The first day to wear light clothing and actually sweat! It is certainly an indicator of events to come in a few short weeks.  I predict that in 2 weeks it will be pretty hot already.

Last weekend I was in Izmir. I love that city.  I love it out in Narlidere hood.  It's so pleasant to just be right on the water- even without a beach.  I realize how much I miss living at the beach.  It is my life.  I've never been so far away from 'the beach' in my life for such an extended period of time.  I need the water. I need the constant motion of water. Some people need mountains- and the static almost quietness of mountainscapes.  I love this as well, but it is not 'natural' to my body.  I certainly adapt and think I could live in the mountains for a while... but the beach is 'normal' for me.  Living in G-tep is not 'normal' for me, but it is fine. With neither beach, nor mountain nearby, I have adapted to a landscape of rolling hills. It doesn't feel 'normal' though...

Perhaps this is why I feel I live more in a state of looking to the future lately.  We were discussing this just this morning over coffee.  Feeling a part of a community is the key to healthy living. I wear different hats here to get around this feeling. It suffices, but I need an expanded community. A community of like-minded individuals (I'm thinking outside the 'workbox' here). I have a lovely, small, community of like-minded individuals that I love and adore here.  It's nice to share our experiences. Yea, it's been a perfect morning.

I'm bouncing all over the place here with this post today.  I believe I will have some interesting news for ya'll next week though...

So, that's all folks...

feeling the Maui love

monsanto MUST BE STOPPED. GMOs gotta go:  watch it & get into my head-space this morning...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0I2xZSlLVjA

Sunday morning here in the Fertile Crescent. Lots of fickle weather as of late. Yesterday it kinda tried to snow for a few minutes (after I already packed away all my winter clothing last Wednesday) while I was downtown. Today it is warm and sunny.

I'm back in bed with coffee brewing and hot oats cooking on the stove.  I had a lovely run this morning.  Up early (no sleep past the early a.m. call to prayer), I was surfing the net.  By the way, 5 a.m. Turkey time is prime time to see what all my friends are up to back home in Hawaii- exactly 13 hours behind in the time zone scheme of things.

Well, Hawaii's citizens are up to A LOT today. They are fighting a giant- a giant coackroach of a corporate empire rat race. Okay, I said it. Yep monsanto (no capitalization for an UNproper noun).

As the sun was rising, I was increasing in my rage after reading all the articles posted. I didn't feel hopeless though.  I felt hopeful because my friends on Maui and throughout the Hawaiian Islands ROCK. They are getting the job done.  They are in R-EVOLUTION mode.

Being so far away from Maui makes it difficult sometimes. Like this time. After I had had my fill of information, I set out to go for a morning run.  I ran today for Maui- for Hawaii. For my friends that are on the front lines there fighting the government- who insist on trying to get into our kitchens. WTF is it with the government trying to get into our vaginas, as well as our kitchens?

On the subject of front lines, I, admittedly, haven't kept up so much with America's revolutions.  I have my senses full over here watching THESE revolutions: Syria, a free Kurdistan, etc.  I'm front and center over here trying to take all this in in as graceful a way as I can (I know I cuss too much, but hey, it's a product of being an archaeologist and always being around construction crews. Oh how I miss being around construction crews).

But I digress... so, people over here are dying- loads of them every day- fighting for their cause against their corrupt governments. What I realized, though, is that I decided that Hawaii's fight with monsanto wasn't as important as these people's fights because... well, I see dead people on the news every day because of these fights...

BUT this morning something snapped in me. It comes down to this: fighting an injust government that is trying to make too many personal decisions for us- we the people. Why do governments, the world over, want to come into our homes? Why into our bedrooms? Our kitchens? Our gardens?

So I turned my rage into pure, divine energy and had a kick-ass run.  It wasn't yet 7 a.m. so I had the place to myself again.  Every lap around the track was encouragement. I want Maui peeps to feel my encouragement for their dedication.  I was running so fast I could hardly keep my breath. But I thought, 'Maui peeps are in the rain today holding signs and supporting their (our) right to exist and be allowed to make (some of) our own decisions.

Perhaps my friends over here think this can't compare: people in America fighting for the right to have a GMO-produced food labelled as such so we can avoid buying/ingesting it, when their governments are KILLING them. Our government is killing us too with GMOs, but it's a slow death- unlike what I see over here. Our government kills us with cancer-causing agents that are leaked/seeped into our foods, our lands- all in an effort to produce 'superfoods!'

I do not mean to make light of the situation, anywhere.  It is just different. What is common is that people have to rally and fight for their rights in almost every aspect of life- anywhere.  period.

Okay, I'm done with that. And with my oatmeal (I hope the oats weren't GMOs but I don't know as the bag is in Turkish).  I hope not. I can say that here, in the southeast, knowing what is in one's food is not a 'thing' here. For whatever reasons, I don't know.  The health issue thing isn't so prevalent.  I know a core group of friends here where it is indeed a concern, but it is the rare exception to the rule for sure.  Perhaps in other parts of Turkey it is more of a concern for people.  I don't even know the active status of monsanto in Turkey. This is something I will check into momentarily...

Back to my exciting life... ahem. So, yesterday turned out to be a horrible day weather wise here in Gaziantep.  It ended up kinda snowing. I was downtown with Solo_ojo and we were getting our 'lists' checked off when we got caught up in the foul weather. Actually we were waiting for the tram and noticed the dark, brooding weather on the horizon while it was lightly raining. We both saw it, turned to each other, and decided to verbalize that we were going to forget about it and maybe nothing bad will happen... At least I had the good sense to have a beanie on my head. It is ironic, though, that 3 days before I made it a personal task to pack up all my weather clothing since spring sprung...
Back to that checklist: Mehmet the tailor called and my pants were ready. Awesome! I am addicted to having a tailor now... I got to eat my favorite Turkish food- Iskender. I bought some fistik baklava for friends in Izmir for next weekend. Oh yes, I also made it to the eczane too! I hate going to the eczane in Gaziantep.  Not sure why.  I really only do it when I am traveling in Turkey.

Here is perhaps one reason why I hate it here: Yesterday I walked to the counter and asked in Turkish for 'dort tane Yasmin lutfen', and he brings me back only 1. I say again 'dort' (4) and he, almost reluctantly, goes back and brings me 3 more- all the while the guy standing next to me at the counter is just staring at me... It is ALWAYS weird...

Last weekend in Konya I contemplated going into an eczane there, but somehow talked myself out of it... heh heh. My partner in crime with me in Konya only laughed at me when I told her the story. I guess I think of Konya as such a conservative place, but a lot of people assure me that, even though it is difficult to purchase alcohol there, it has the highest percentage of drinkers there.  I wasn't so sure it was going to be so easy to buy alcohol so I brought my trusty flask with me! That's another story though...

Okay, my work here is done.

a little dis. a little dat...

Frustrated that my new hot pink shoe laces aren't long enough to put on my running shoes... Saturday morning- and fickle weather to boot.  The past few days have been wind-fueled. Desert sands blowing up from Syria and beyond marred the atmosphere leaving a strange taste on the landscape. Last night culminated by a downpour and an accompanying thunder and lightning show- probably the last one for a while as dry season is almost upon us.

I've never been one to be hit by this 'spring fever' bug, but then again, there really is no 'spring fever' in Hawaii- not like when you live in an area with 4 seasons. So I had a wild hair mid-week and spent one evening packing up all my winter clothes. Not the fall clothes, but those are also already in a pile as well ready to be packed away in about a week as I estimate it.

No, these are my winter things I packed away. These things didn't even need to be worn this winter as it was so mellow. It hardly rained here, and only snowed once. I figure it is safe to get rid of this shit and make more room for... SPRING!

I love me some spring fashion.  Romance. Whimsy. Fresh. Crisp. Healthy. re-connection with nature. All these lexical choices, for me, describe spring.  So, I am good with this new emotion- spring fever- and going to roll with it. It was like some sort of ritual- getting out my suitcase of stored spring wardrobe. I 'oohed' and 'awwed' at all the exotic fabrics. I mean, WOW was that a fun evening.  Like running into an old boyfriend that is still an awesome friend (I'm not sure exactly what that means as I can explain it no further, but I also refuse to delete it because it is funny, and elusive, and nonsensical).

So, back to the hot pink shoelaces story.  About 2 weeks ago I was downtown (Çarşı) at the weekend to pick up some things I had made from my tailor (yes, I have my own tailor here, and no my things weren't ready...) and got my favorite Kenneth Cole red oil leather slip-on penny loafers (yes that is a true and correct phrase) resoled and noticed these totally cute hot pink shoe laces.

Now, I've been looking for the perfect pair of shoe laces for a while to use for the lace-up material for a t-shirt that I cut up a few months back.  I think I mentioned this in a previous, domestic housewife-type blog post a few months back. Anyway, I haven't been able to find any long enough to serve as a sort of lace-up bustier at the back. So I continue my quest for this, likely obsolete, 'thing' I need to obtain to complete my look as I have visualized it in my mind.  Nothing else will do. I must procure this necessity, or face the possibility of never wearing my totally cool cut-up XXL T-shirt that is now going to be a totally cute summer mini-dress.

So, I bought the hot pink laces as I was sitting in the little shoe repair kiosk with all the men hanging out and waiting for their shoes to be shined.  Solo_ojo and I were totally inebriated from the fumes coming from all the stuff the dudes were using to shine up leather, etc.  It was a totally toxic environment that no one seemed to care about- in terms of lack of ventilation to breathe properly even though it was an open-faced kiosk.  Nope. Not a twitch from anyone. The tele played on with the new Justin Timberlake video feat. Jay-Z- which is awesome I might add. Very fresh. Very jazzy.

Of course the shoe laces didn't fit my T-shirt and were way too short.  I already had Plan B for them though- which pleased me greatly.  I thought it would be great to jazz up my New Balance running shoes with the hot pink laces. I mean, how sweet is that, right? Playful. Think spring-in-my-step.

Well, low and behold, today after my run I was excited that I actually remembered about my hot pink shoe laces.  I took them out of their sacred space (utility drawer) and delved into the task with zest- only to find that they would also be too short for even lacing up... Alas... I'm not sure. I have no Plan C for my hot pink shoe laces.

Konya. This weekend is a 'non-essential travel weekend' which means that it is not essential to go anywhere this weekend. Next weekend, though, is an 'essential travel weekend' which means that I am Turkey Trotting to the western Aegean. Last weekend was an 'essential travel weekend' in more ways than one... This means that I traveled to Konya. Essentially we spent the weekend sleeping uncomfortably on buses, sleeping in a fairly sweet hotel room, buying silk scarves, eating great and decent food, and walking, and... yes. It was essential- in more ways than one... as you all already know, yet don't know the story behind the phrase. Sorry. *chortle*

I've covered all the major topics here, so now I will just babble about some things I suppose as I'm not quite ready to close the laptop down and get on with my day. Speaking of which, my day has been amazing so far- and it's only 11 a.m. Because I've been traveling a lot on the weekends lately, I haven't been running in the mornings regularly. I've been running at night only so today was the first day in a few weeks that I have run in the morning.  All the rain last night totally cleared/cleaned out the atmosphere and made for a pleasant time. It was still early so no people were around, and no little league kids at the sports field either. I had the entire place to myself.

As well, my new interval sprint training has taken me to the next level of my running game. It has really made my 'normal' running routing so much more powerful. It's these little nuggets of goodness that I feel that keep me going in a place such as this. The weekends are just so precious. The weekdays are just so routine.

I think I am finally tiring of this post.  I just got the idea to go into my closet-room and stare at my currently-on-display spring wardrobe that I can't wait to don. Last night really wore me out; Bomonti Unfiltered beer (that L-Fezz and Chris left in my fridge oh-so-long-ago), smoke, foul weather and my book du jour, "The Epic of Gilgamish in the Standard Version (Cunniform) tablet form. Now, I don't usually read plays/epics in prose form, so this task requires a special edge to it... Oh, I forgot to mention the colored lights and Nag Champa incense burning in the background.  I know, weird.

on my trending list for spring: organic cotton yoga pants, Starbuck's Coffee french press, hippie clothes, chiffon, pareos, yoga studios, business plans, new music mixes for both running and yoga, massage, Nag Champa incense, coconut macaroons, itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikinis, The Verve, Peter Tosh, da kine, Moss Agate.

Mystic Coffee in Konya

So I've been Turkey Trotting this weekend. This time to Konya.  I'm presently dreading the return trip tonight. We are taking refuge in Starbucks doing some work, etc before we have to hop on the all-nighter bus back to where we dwell in  Gaziantep.

Konya, like most cities in Turkey, has a beautiful historic district. From an outsider POV, the rest of most cities appear very much the same; a sea of apartment buildings dotted with strip-like malls. Much like suburban America I suppose. 

Getting around Konya is quite easy. There is an excellent tramvay that passes directly by the otogar for a most efficient and pleasant travel experience. It even runs 24 hours-which came in handy since we arrived in Konya at 5am. As we were riding on the tram, sunrise came and went and it was quite a mystical experience. I knew the weekend was going to be smashing at this point. 

We got off the tram and started sleep-walking towards our Rumi Hotel. We were ready to play hardball with them as check-in time isn't until 10 am, but the dude was totally cool and we were snuggled into our beds by 7 am and soon sleeping soundly. After an 8+ hour bus ride, which included lots of restless sleeping, it is still an awkward experience. Bus travel in Turkey is as good as it gets anywhere that I've travelled, yet it's never really 'restful.' 

Now, I'm pretty good about bus travel. My mobile medicine cabinet is top notch, quite efficient and vast- as I know my needs: minimal amounts of water, ear plugs, toe socks and flip flops, 1 800 mg ibuprofen, 1/2 a muscle relaxant OR 1/2 a Valium for maximum sleep, sunglasses, chapstick, iPod with jazz, a scarf, Tiger Balm and a blow-up pillow.  That pretty much covers it - in terms of being as comfortable as possible. Also a commanding presence (more necessary when traveling alone) helps. I'll just leave that last one like that and you all can interpret it as you like. 

So we were up and at it on Saturday morning and headed straight out to get some food. We had a few good leads -especially 1 from the guy at the information center. He told us to find this traditional Ottoman Era food restaurant. It was a bit of a search, but well worth our efforts! The food was insane. So delicious and unusual. Let me just say that after living in Turkey for a few years, the meat selection gets a bit repetitious and boring. Enough so that I could become a vegetarian again very easily...

The weather was super. big blue sky with white, puffy clouds dotting the sky- perfect for a photo op. The day could not have been more brilliant. Shopping was glorious (when isn't shopping glorious for a chick) and I ended up with 3 silk scarves and a load of jewelry - mostly for friends back home in Hawaii... Get ready you guys, cause Holly-Santa isn't coming back empty-handed! By the way, I'll be needing places to stay for long periods of time... 

We spent the day cruising the streets - taking photos and checking out the architecture and walking,walking, walking. I had a mission to hit up the archaeology museum. It was a chore indeed as NOBODY that we asked, which was many, knew where it was. Now, Turkish people are very friendly and want to help you when you ask for help- even if they don't know the answer or in our case, the right direction to head in... I'm talking business people, policemen, 4-star hotel people- NOBODY knew where the archaeology museum was. This seemed so strange to me-especially since Çatalhöyük, the world's oldest Neolithic settlement site, is a mere 30 miles away...

Frustrating, but I prevailed in the end. We finally found it, but it was 5 pm and was closing. I said, "I just want the museum shop" because I at least wanted a book on the site, but the dude said there wasn't one... 

So, exhausted and dejected, we trotted back to our hotel to take a disco-nap and then head out to the Mevlana Sufi cultural center to take in a performance. After a few episodes of Golden Girls (thanks Rasmieyh for that), we headed out in all our finery. I finally wore this totes cool dress I got when I was with Miss Simone shopping last summer on Maui. It is long, black, cap-sleeves and casual-chic. Of course, I only had my converse high tops... But I werked it... One needs confidence to pull this off- as well as a flask filled with rum...

We walked and enjoyed the fresh evening air. Arriving early, we took in a lecture by this Pakistani scholar on Sufism and the story of Rumi and Shemsi al Tabriz- which I already knew. We snuck out to get some prime seats for the show. This is code for easy access seats to leave before the masses would pour out... It was most excellent (mystical) and we did indeed exit stage left in due time. 

Feeling so smug and proud of ourselves, we headed outside on the long-ish walk back to the hotel. Something was different though. It was FREEZING suddenly. Sheepishly, we hailed a taxi and made our way back. 

We were starving at this point and caught a late supper. I finally tried this Etli Ekmek that everybody told me I just had to try... It was decent. I mean, I was hungry and it was food. I can say with fierce honestly that Gaziantep Lamacun is way more awesome with its spicy appeal. Back at the hotel, exhausted, we hung out and watched another Golden Girls episode and passed out. 

Today we headed to the Mevlana Museum. I was kinda snowing out... Weird. We bundled up for another day of sightseeing and headed to Aladdin Camii up on Aladdin Tepebasi. Lots of sweet tea gardens and a view of the city, yet we were yearning for something more... Something called COFFEE. I mean real coffee. R had some work she needed to do, and I can always entertain myself in a Starbucks. Equipped with an iPad, iPod, and iPhone- here we stay awaiting our chariot (Metro Turizm all-nighter bus). L-fez you should be proud of me as I have secured at least a 2-week supply of brown sugar. What can I say, I do partake in some guilty pleasures. R was particularly interested in the Splenda supply as well. So, 'thicker than thieves, we went about our business as usual. 

That's about it with my adventures here folks. 

Sunday Sunny Sunday

Again, I'm lying in bed :) with coffee, with little to no focus on what I'm writing about, and I'm smiling. Because, 1st, it's Sunday. It's also sunny. And I'm just generally feeling mighty happy about the direction where everything is going.

I've been, casually, nursing a cold- or whatever it is- for over a week. I find it strange that I can get a cold here so often, and it just hangs around. In Hawaii, not that I got sick often (in fact hardly ever), when I got sick, I would just casually take care of it and POOF it's gone (snap fingers here). Not so here.  Okay let me clarify.  The fever/sick part doesn't last long, but the remainders (cough, runny nose) seem to take a while to disappear. This is to say that I have gotten really good at coughing and blowing my nose in public AND try to remain as graceful as possible during these events...

Normally on a Sunday I'll have a run first before I start writing so you all are getting a different side of me this week I fear think. We'll see what happens. You guys have been quiet little birds lately as I have been getting no comments lately- except for this spam person who is just trying so hard to make their comments seem real.  I am, honestly, amused with this but ENOUGH already.

Anyway, last I recall I asked you guys to come up with some new music for me to listen to while running. Oh how you disappoint... Except for a few individuals. Many mahalos for your input and yes I will be downloading them illegally from the 'interwebs' and taking to the track with them- as soon as I muster up enough energy to actually do/accomplish the task. As of now, I'm still only in the 'threatening' stage of running with an iPod...

Speaking of iPods or iEverythings... I'd like to address the only really surprising thing that I find about Turkish (new) culture that seems so different from my own. The cell phone culture here seems to be outta control. They are everywhere: they are inside the classrooms; they are in students hands as they take their speaking midterms/finals, etc; they are at the gym- WHILE peeps be working out (that one KILLS me slowly because it's just such a shame to be doing something so good for your body, but while still connected to the outside world. Workouts should be an internal thing.  All one needs is motivation to work their body out. They should not be awaiting calls from ANYBODY while working on their health. PERIOD. NUFF SAID. Ackkkkkkkkkkk.

Maybe it's just a worldwide generational thing though.  Maybe it's just because in Hawaii, people aren't glued to their cellphones.  There is too much else to do- especially involving places where I cell phone doesn't dare to go... Maybe it is different living on the Mainland, but I didn't recognize this even while living in New York City (5 years ago), and I was traveling by Metro and/or walking all the time there so say the entire gamut of cultures and age groups walking solo and not on their phones, or even HOLDING their cell phones.

Just as a further look into my introspection on the current subject matter... When I'm working out, I'm thinking only about ME. Trying to overcome my ego and break it down. Like when it tells me to 'only run 1 more lap around the track because I'm tired.' So, when this happens, I need all my inner strength to fight back and say," 'FUCK YOU EGO'. You just simmer down and relax because I'm fighting hard to resist your shit-storm you're trying to talk up. In fact, stop telling me I need potato chips after I run." So when battling my demons, I can't have the phone demon hanging around. Anyway, I detest seeing cell phones so visibly... especially when I'm with someone of the opposite sex... Nothing is a bigger turn-off. Yea that's right. Take note of THAT potential suitors...

Yesterday I was downtown in the Çarsı. It is always such a pleasure to go there- especially when I have a list of things to do.  Solo_ojo & I headed out late and 1st stopped at the shoe repair guys. We both had stuff to get/drop-off. I love hanging out in the 'shed' and waiting around drinking tea while all the men work and hang out.  Caught the new JT & Jay-Z video. I hate to admit it, but JT is quite talented in his 'elder years.' Can't say I ever heard a song from the 'backstreet boys' days...

Off to my tailor, Mehmet, after that, but not before scoring a 100% fresh-squeezed orange juice for only 1.5TL! Awesome. Mehmet is a very cool dude.  He always looks so zen-like and kicked-back when we go to his shop. Reminds me of my old fashion design days. How great it is to be at your sewing machine creating things for people. Anyway, I get that about him. I adore that about him that he sits and raps with us drinking tea/Turkish coffee while hand-sewing something with a thimble on his finger. Reminds me of the days in Capitola, California with DP in the studio sewing/selling/drinking/smoking and taking walks to the rivermouth underneath the bridge... Good fun that.

A day downtown is not final until I have a stop-off at Settar's (AKA Remze) villa. Good conversation. Good fun, and Tuborg Gold 100% malt to boot! After a few hours of refueling while simultaneously mapping out our futures, we departed- homeward bound.  The strategy here is always to walk to Demokrasi Meydani metro stop instead of the nearby Villayet one. Why you ask? Because you are guaranteed a seat always at the previous stop. You're taking your chances at Villayet always. Especially because the Gaziantepspor stadium was filled with futbol enthusiasts... Just in case any Gaziantep Belideyesi peeps are reading this... consider this: you need more car-things on the tram. It's way too crowded on them.

Okay. That's it. I think it's time to go for a run now. I hope I completed all my thoughts here... If not, you guys can fill in the blanks.

Sunday Sunny Sunday so get out and enjoy the day and work your body out while ignoring your ego...DO IT and tell me how good it was...

you've got homework...

Sunny morning in the Fertile Crescent y'all, BUT I'm recovering from the flu.  As I lie in bed... well, I do do that occasionally... rewind: As I lay in bed pondering if I should get up and go for a run, my incessant couching tells me otherwise.

So, I have prepared some homework for you guys. Yes, there is a brand spanking new website that started up just yesterday.  Here's the link:

http://freearabs.com/

I can assure you, there is something to read for everyone here.  I've been up since the early morning call to prayer woke me up... and I've just finished up with it and had a lot of large laughs, which provoked more incessant coughing, throughout the process. The debut of "The Horrific 4" is especially pleasing (under FUN STUFF in the drop down menu).

In other news, Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C are firmly in place. Plan D is now up on deck. Really though, these should be rephrased to Plot A, Plot B, Plot C, and Plot D- because I LOVE plotting more than planning. Sounds more devious and I am deviant in my own bubble world...

Oh, here's another piece of irrelevant to all but me information I shall share: I'm finally tiring of my 'cooking Sundays Sessions.' As you all should know by now, I usually spend Sundays near the abode and cook for my lunches during the work week because I detest eating/paying for crap food at the cafeteria at school. Okay the soup is usually pretty good though. In my near hallucinogenic state this past week- induced by a flu-like bug- I toted some vegetable bouillon cubes to school to put in some hot water (let me just say that vegetable bouillon cubes are NON-EXISTENT) in Turkey... So, these coveted cubes I've amassed from Amerika, Cyprus, Portugal, Greece, etc I decided to put to good use. I think I'll just continue on using them for lunch instead of toting my bag-o-food daily. Easy peasy. So unfortunately my blue Nuage Bleu mermaid food tote will be put to rest. It was a good food carrier. Somehow knowing that I was in possession of a nekkid mermaid at school made me happy and let me know that a little piece of Hawaii is always at me- even while occupying the halls of academia here in southeast Turkey...

Now, quit stalling- DO YOUR HOMEWORK

peace
HollyMissBerry