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 

this week's spiritual dump...

Kinks. 1981. watch it. Then continue on with my post (you'll understand it a bit more I suppose):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpAANsoG8I

Paranoia The Destroyer... Just a comment. I'm actually a hitchhiker in all this... Sometimes we get paranoid. Sometimes it is for very good reason.  Sometimes not. I admit, I've been paranoid a bit lately (this goes under the 'for very good reason' category BTW...) Anyway... at some point, though, you just gotta say, F*ck it.  I can only be myself.  F*uck it. Whatever. Keep the cameras rolling. Waddya want? You want this? YOU WANT ME??? Come and get me. Have at it if you will. You feel better now? Does it change things? Is 'IT' validated now? Can we now just continue on and honor the true nature of ourselves? So, you can lock this away in your file cabinet under the heading "HollyMissBerry the sometimes awesome Homo Sapiens. Sometimes not."

Next...
for your next preview. Please first watch this to get in the next mood that I want you all in before continuing on reading...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74

Normally a song I put on repeat when I split with a boyfriend... (or Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman"). Here's why I ADORE it:

*   I'ts so uplifting in its stark reality.
*   It reminds me of living in NYC while in grad school- for no specific reason
*   It is great when you are feeling lonely in a world-weary kinda mood.  Sometimes when you live    abroad you get in these moods as if you are all alone- but you never really are, you know...
*   a good song when you wash the paranoia off of yourself and are DONE with it.

The main point here, "I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down." Well, the only road I've ever been down, is MY road. It takes me everywhere. Sometimes I take the alley (short-cut), sometimes I go off the beaten path for an added kink. I get to do whatever the f*ck I want on this road. Within reason- usually. I can't change my road. I don't even have the path memorized. No entity is allowed to make me paranoid about my road. Well, they can, but it is up to me to let them know that they can just f*ck off.

On a more positive ending note- tax season is coming upon us Amerikans soon...

"I let the melody shine.Let it cleanse my mind. I feel free yea."

Okay. You all know the drill by now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMyM68jjxTM

This is from Gwenda. She's teaching in the UAE. She turned me onto this clip. I'm not sure how she's using it in the classroom, but I think it's EXCELLENT.

There is no specific reason to watch it that's associated with this morning's blog... I watched it yesterday. I felt really good about Homo Sapiens' afterwards.  That's all. Thanks Gwennie. I wish I could hang out with you @ TESOL Arabia, but it's not in the cards this year...

Next on the spontaneous agenda- I NEED YOUR INPUT
Need some kick-ass running music. I'm not a runner who listens to music, but I have the means to.  I wanna try it out. What you guys have in mind for me? I await your suggestions. Come on. Do it Do it Do it. You guys can't just continue to think that you can just read my blog without producing anything in return...

Speaking of running, today's run confirmed yesterday morning's: it's getting warm enough to not need long sleeves!Also tested another theory on the track this morning: You can actually throw your back back into whack, running, after it goes outta whack, running...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5KmB8Laemg
I want a guy who wants a girl like this.  That's all. Besides, if you wear a short shirt, you MUST wear a longggggggggggggg jacket...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KCBLA-fuVw
no comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X19iZ4CyJf0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ozGsAtY28


Okay, back to Hawaii.  I always return back to Hawaii:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1bBMcKtOik

I think that about covers it for this morning.  Nothing like a spiritual dump to accompany your Sunday morning coffee in bed post-euphoria run on a pre-spring sunny morning here in the Fertile Crescent.

G-Tep stylin Sunday morning

Sunday morning here in the Fertile Crescent. It's sizing up to be a beauty of a day here. I'm back in bed thinking about purchasing a robot that can make coffee for me on weekend mornings... I should not complain as I was already out early on a super sweet, albeit cut a bit short, run through the ormani (forest) behind Gaziantep University. No wild dogs to chase after me either- winning.

I've been traveling for the past month and this is my first weekend back and just wanting to chill. Portugal was amazing. Castles galore. And pork. And wine. Yea I already told you guys all that stuff. So, last weekend I FINALLY had friends from outta town (Ist and  Kabak) visit me... Geeze, what across the street from my apartment that sells Bomonti Unfiltered- in addition to the requisite Efes). I kid. I kid. There is much beauty to be seen here in Gaziantep. Of course, though, the highlight was traveling East. We hit up Halfeti, Bircik (an absolute MUST is the Bald Ibis bird sanctuary that Mustafa Çulcuoğlu runs), Şanlıurfa, Harran, Mardin, Göbekli Tepe & loads of specks on the map in between.

Nothing like a road trip...Some of my best times ever have been on cross-country road-trips, either with family, friends or boyfriends- they are all memorable. I hope it never ends!

Here are some links to pictures:

 For Göbekli Tepe:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151302342688301.455394.595448300&type=1&l=4eb6daa307

For Mardin:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151302265708301.455388.595448300&type=1&l=b2f3bd8096

For Şanlıurfa:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151302224033301.455382.595448300&type=1&l=da3a721c9c

For Harran:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151302187453301.455379.595448300&type=1&l=e15d09a771


For Halfeti:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151302187453301.455379.595448300&type=1&l=e15d09a771

For Portugal:
coming soon...or soonish...

INTERMISSION: i-Robot is getting outta bed to make some coffee...

Ahhhhh. Okay. Not to harp on the subject, but I still have not really acquired a taste for Turkish tea... I just see so many people putting in loads of sugar cubes and think to myself, 'If you need to put 4 sugars into anything, this cannot be good.' Don't get me wrong now. I do drink the tea on occasion (w/1 cube MAX), but it is just so-so.  I dare someone to brew me the cup of tea that will convert me... So, in the meantime, I continue to drink my beloved cuppa-joe! Which, by the way, is like aromatherapy right at this very moment as its scent wafts from my brilliant French Press. It entices me outta bed once again (i-Robot) to pour myself the 1st of the morning. I've waited long enough. I am incensed- intoxicated even- from the smell. It leaves me stuptified. Okay, enough

INTERMISSION: you know the reason

Okay I was discussing travel I believe... So next weekend, perhaps, I'll trot off to Kayseri/Erciyes for a little snowboard action. A colleague went last weekend and lamented about the, well not lack of snow as much as icy conditions. Perhaps a better idea is to stay in Göreme and hit the slopes. That way, if conditions suck, we can play in that sweet village. I wonder if there is a yoga studio in Göreme yet. If not there needs to be...

Okay, here's an interesting kinda-correlation. Between Göreme and Mardin.  I've been to Cappadocia 3X in the past 12 years; 2001, 2007 and 2012. Each time it has a more 'boutique' feel.  Now Mardin, which I've been to 2X over the past year, has this same kind of 'feel' to it. I guess what I mean to say is that it envokes the same kind of feeling that I had living in Hawaii. It's like too much of a good thing, the natural beauty. It gets more difficult every year to see an increase in tourists, yet this is also a good thing for the locals. It's a catch-22 for sure. I wonder how the people deal with these issues as I dealt with it in Hawaii. Well, for me, I just kept moving deeper and deeper into the jungle- where less tourists were likely to come.

Speaking of Hawaii... I'm SO looking forwards to returning home for a bit this summer.

As you can read, my thoughts are all over the place this morning. Also on my mind is the fabulous weather we've had here in the southeast this winter.  I only recall 1 episode of snow, and hardly any rain. Last year was so bloody wet/rainy/snowy. I have not had the heat on hardly at all this winter, and have already started sleeping with the windows open! You all know how much I adore boots (yet hate having my feet covered up all day). I have amassed SO many the past 2 years, yet I have hardly worn any this winter-seriously, just my biker-chic 'go-to' Fluevogs. FYI boot lovers, Fluevog is THE name in boots for this boot lover. And a Canadian at that- Fluevog rocks.

Thinking also about Saklikent Gorge, near Kaş. It looks like amazing trail rides through there. Weather is warming up... Days are getting longer... Only 4 more months left of work until summer... Why is Kaş so bloody difficult to get to from Gaziantep?

INTERMISSION

finally a moment to lay on my couch and ponder...

Yea,

Like how I ended that last post... I vaguely remember having an IT issue while traveling with my iPad. It was kind of like a moment where if I didn't post at that very moment, I was going to lose the entire thing.  Oh well... so, THAT was Portugal. Awesome. Here are a few disconnected yet completely valid words that comes to mind when I think to my recent Portugal trip:
Driving- actually co-piloting...
Castles- especially Castello Novo (?). Spent an excellent evening sleeping in the car on the hill overlooking this- in a parking lot, near the cemetary.
Drinking: Vinho Verde, Reds, Whites, Ports- I didn't discriminate...
Porking: Yes, I did a lot of pork sausage- and cheeses- and breads
Giant Waves
Alfama (Lisboa district): lots of colorful stories much too colorful to even divulge here in my blog...
Boots
Car Camping: and waking up in various driveways, parking lots, woods, castles, open fields, etc.
countryside coffeehouses

So it would have been wise to blog more in the moment as it is all a bit fuzzy already. One highlight was arriving in the surf town of Navare 2 days late after Hawaii dude Garrett McNamara rode a 100' wave- check the link!
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jan/29/surfer-garrett-mcnamara-100ft-wave)

I arrived back to Gaziantep loaded up with essentials too (this encompasses food/beverage/boots/ entertainment)...

Lisbon

Sunday morning. Awaiting the church bells with a child-like glee. It's 7:30 am and we are pleasantly smug at what has passed so far in this lovely country. A country whose passion and geo-political evirnonment the people wear on their sleeves.  This includes fashion (IMHO the peeps wear very utilitarian garb. I hardly have seen a chick wearing high heels. The peeps dress smart casual and efficiently.  Everybody seems like they are working. I haven't noticed a group of 'dandies.'

It seems if peeps have money, they aren't wanting to spend it, or show that they are spending it. In Baixo Chiado (luxury shopping district), restaurants open, but no one in them. Bookstores are closed at night- this is, IMHO, a bad sign that the intellectuals aren't browsing books at night.

Yesterday late afternoon while we were in a square drinking the requisite bottle of Portugal's Vinho Verde, there was no one else enjoying getting their drink on outside. It was a beautiful sunny winter day with a direct view to the castle on the hill and no one was outside. The kids were outside though, across the street at the status with their skateboards queued up to show their skill. They even had a skate ramp. The city knows how to entertain their restless youth.

Anyway, the point is, everybody is affected by the economic crisis they err experiencing right. It is a somber collective spirit. The peeps watching has been fantastic. Beautiful, strong peeps. Yesterday's odyssey was a gret e-introduction to the city. I was briefly here in 2001. I had just left Morocco, where I was staying down in the Sahara Desert village of Merzouga when the events of 911 occurred. but I digress... Back to Lisbon live and direct.

We took Tram 28 to Arco do Sao Vicente and headed to the Feria do Lado Sarueday flea market. Yes, you all can collectively squeal with delight for me right now... What a blast. If you lived here, this is where you would come every weekend and make a day of it. Walking up and down the streets laden down with treasures from past and present. You can stop and drink or eat in a cafe right off the street fair, or you can venture up the hill a bit further into the Alfama- like Solo_ojo and I did... We we on a mission and I knew where to accomplish it.

Anyway, we took care of business and had a fantastic local brew to wash it down. W also met the local supah-stars if you will... Lovely motley crew! A good time was had by all, and a fantastic storyline for an Indi-style film I should write/direct/star in...

After leaving the favela... We headed back to our hood, but by foot. The Alfamais such a cool neighborhood full of vibrant peeps and a fantastic walking promenade (of sorts) with incredible views of Lisboa's harbor.  We laid down on some park benches and just crashed out for a while. The sun was beating down on my body and I had not a worry in the world for those moments. As the sun lowered, I started to have a worry. You all know how much I love buying boots, but wearing them can be sucha burden for an island girl who tends to be most comfortable running around in Havaianas. So today I was wearing my Reef's  because yesterday I wore my boots all day and my feet rebelled. They demanded to be free the following day. Well, it is certainly warm here, but it is is also wintertime... This wasn't too worrisome I suppose as we headed strait to catch sunset with a bottle of... Yep... Vinho Verde.

It felt weird though. We were loving life, yet there were so any peeps coming up to us. They had no money. Yu could see the hardship on their faces. It felt oh so very bourgeoise to be 'indulging' in an 11 Euro bottle of...Vinho Verede. W lamented we should be grateful for our jobs we complain about. It also felt weird to feel like I had a lot of money comparatively-since I don't ... It was a humbling feeling. I am definitely grateful for what I have cultivated in life thus far.

Walking round ten streets st night. Getting accounted with loves le characters with a story and a product to sell. Desperate to sell it whatever it may have been. Seriously, the streets are flooded with small time hustlers. Again, I dig this city and its 'edgy' feel. There is a grit to this city. People work. They work hard for little. They are tough, and they are real.

There as a huge manifestation (where isn't there throughout Europe and the MENA region these days) by all educators and

Mer-Mare

Yea, strange title. So, as the (related) story goes... I have this friend back on my Hawaiian homeland. INTERRUPTION: I use the preposition 'on' because it's more logical to use 'on' when referring to an island- spatially speaking, of course. END INTERRUPTION: He's an archaeologist- one of the rare species still practicing this rite of passage. Anyway, he tends to ramble on in his thoughts while working- which I can admire since I tended to do the same as well.  His sometimes nonsensical thoughts, like my sometimes nonsensical thoughts, materialize into written word. As mine did/do occasionally. Ahem...

I mean, with the technological age, my thoughts also materialized into text messages too.  I wish I would have somehow managed to archive all those countless texts to Lil'D, Rochelle-Le-Belle, Codykins, Katie-girl, Shellusha, Hilly-Billy, EdVice, etc... Every one of you know exactly who you are.  What fun those countless hours, days, months,years of texting our immediate psychoses while attempting to keep our eyes peeled on some bulldozer or excavator, etc. 

Then there was the era of podcasts while monitoring- complete with texting when necessary.  Some great podcasts out there: The Moth, No Agenda, Adam Curry's Daily Source Code, Bluegrass Highway, Hospital Podcast, Naked Archaeology... etc

Okay, bringing up 'Naked Archaeology' brings me back to the original intentions of this story- in a kinda round-about kinda way... So, this dude in question. A bro actually.  I mean a real kinda bro that a girl can depend on. You know? So, there was this famous story of him actually that I had heard about even before meeting him. Again, as the story goes:

He was working for a big name on the Big Island. He was alone digging in a lava field in the middle of the day with a hot blazing sun beating down on him. This lava field was somewhere near the ocean, I believe (not a really important detail of the story honestly). So, this spot happened to be in the path of the local Hawaiian Air or Aloha Airlines flight route when heading to Kona International Airport, which really isn't an 'international airport' as we think of the term 'INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.' I mean, it is kinda just like a landing strip I suppose. Again, not an important detail- the size of the airport...

So his boss was flying back onto the island (check the preposition again folks, 'onto') and low and behold what does he see as he glances out the window of the plane. A man. Nekkid! Nekkid with a shovel and boots (likely steel-toed) and hat with some wild hair flowing about (not sure about that detail, but added it for some charm). 

Is this true, or is this just an Urban Myth that has been spun so long ago that it sticks in the cobwebs of our memory as a truth somewhat forgotten?

Okay, this is getting me closer to the original intention of my post this morning. Incidentally, it is 10 am and I'm lounging in bed drinking some Mehmet Effendi espresso blend coffee with stolen Starbuck's brown sugar packets (thanks Fez). Just having finished the last of the pasta I whipped up last night and served to the troops.  My trusty companions that somehow still enjoy keeping company with me and all my absurdness... 

Anyway, to get off track a bit more. A little background on last night. Here are the highlights: Pasta, popsicles, Supreme Beings of Leisure, Solo_ojo, Warden Wardo, tequila, vodka, conversation, fact-finding missions concerning various deadly-serious topics... fade to black...

So, when I was working in the field, taking copious notes on soil, erosion, stratigraphic inclusions and such other titillating geologic lexicon (all done on the infamous 'Write In The Rain' booklets we were supplied with), I used to also write "Very Dirty Poetry". Now, it was 'Very Dirty' because I was very dirty. One cannot expect to come clean from a day's work involving wind, water, sand, hot baking sun, mud, bugs, exhaust from large machinery and other such highlights as the occasional spray of hydraulic fluid bursting out from a broken hose. Or, there is also the scenario played out MANY times of a broken waterline or, even worse, a broken sewer line... Anyway, point being is that I was always dirty working. I mean, my poems weren't necessarily ONLY themed with dirty verses- sometimes though...

So my volumes of 'Write In The Rain' archaeology notes entitled, SECRET SPY MANUAL. DON'T PEEK YOU SPY #1, #2, #3, #4, etc   has a long history of inclusions of 'Very Dirty Poetry'. It was always difficult to give up these spy manuals when one was filled up *blush*. 

So, THIS brings us to the point this morning- finally. I'm exhausted... I had a dream last night. I entered it into my SECRET SPY MANUAL. DON'T PEEK YOU SPY #43 (I just made that number up. As well the SECRET SPY MANUAL. DON'T PEEK YOU SPY Write In The Rain journal.  I didn't really bring any Write In The Rain journals to Turkey with me).  

But here it is for all to ponder...

-->

"Mer-mare"

(Inspired/written during after 5:30AM CALL TO PRAYER THIS MORNING & not able to fall back to sleep…)

Thought I saw a Merman

         In my dream last night

I saw his silky-wet-shadowy-sheen against the moon –held captive chained to luxurious lure of the sea

         Lurking through motionless tide, slick as

blackest of oil

                  Blend in he cannot

I am attracted to this oil slick

Thought I saw a Merman

         In my dream last night

“Do they exist”, silently quizzing myself sensing Darwinian scientific delight

         Trajectory Trailing. Moody heart pounding

He came to rest. Perched against a rock. Listening

                  For me

         From the offshore winds I sailed

Into his beckoning harbor. Take shelter from  storm-swept seas

         Suddenly surging white-capped surf.

Calm after the storm. Sunrise at last

Thought I saw a Merman

         In my dream last night

Their ancient lore buried deep inside my treasure chest

        

Of jewel-encrusted knowledge

         Ancient wisdoms

Only a solitary pirate can witness late in the night

         holding vigil at the sea shore.

A reflection of a soft, supple metallic orb        

         Taunting. Thrilling. Manna from the Divine?

Go Ahead- Rummage Through my Treasure Chest

         Discover that one gem so fine. That I am

No wonder the moon took such time to pass the sea

         Last night

Thought I saw a merman

         In my dream last night

                  It was just a dream

                           It was just a dream

                                    It was just a dream

                                             It was just a dream

                                                      It was just a dream

                                                               Was it just a dream?

Now, I didn't want to give it all away before you gave it a 1st look-through. A Mer-Mare, in my humble opinion, is a dream about either a mermaid or a merman (there ARE definitely mermen out there, and they are JUST as elusive as mermaids are). A dream about the 'Mar' (Sea)! Get it? So not necessarily a Mer-Man NIGHTmare, or a DAYmare, but a mer (in my case a merman) mare: Mer-Mare...

*kerplunk*

Again, I can't be responsible for figuring out a connection between any of this... I am still 'editor-at- large' -less. 

Happy Anniversary Jasmine...

Today marks 2 years since Tunisians came together and revolted against their then dictator, Ben Ali. I feel fortunate to have witnessed it while living downtown in the Lafayette neighborhood.  I feel fortunate because of what I saw. Because of what I felt. Because of what took place. Because history was being re-written.  I don't know how I feel about it today, as Tunisia is still recovering, and it is not clear at all if liberties are being granted, or continue to be taken away with the new (provisional) government.

But back to those moments. I was so proud of my Tunisian friends, colleagues and students. They stood in the wake of danger daring to defy the iron-fist management of the country by Ben Ali and his thugs cabinet members... My friends were so proud of have brought down an oppressive regime. The courage and energy that radiated from them was infectious. There were so many reasons to celebrate. That was then. What is happening now?

Things are not okay in Tunisia. Rights are being taken away still. Disinformation continues to exist. Corruption. Joblessness still rules. Freedoms that existed before Jasmine are threatened today. Take the government's plan to forbid public displays of affection I'm not talking about acts of lewd sexual behavior. I'm talking kissing/hugging in public... Take also the government's comments about what 'art' is supposed to be at a recent art exhibit in La Marsa where some political works of art were on display & the local Salafis didn't take kindly to & decided to violate the art space to show their dissatisfaction.  Take the (apparent) Salafi attack & subsequent destruction of a mausoleum of a 13th century Sufi saint in the beautiful Mediterranean town of Sidi Bou Said last weekend. Take the government's non-committal action for it all... blah blah blah...

So much beauty I discovered while living in Tunisia. I was so broke living there, and I still was able to see/feel such beauty. I didn't need much living there. I was happy. I had a beautiful old apartment on Rue D'Egypte. I could walk to work and all around downtown. I had lovely friends. We had sweet, cheap watering holes we used to frequent complete with lively conversations.  I could continue on. But there is no need. You all get the picture.

Many of us have moved on since Jasmine. Quite a few remain. I am almost envious. Those who remain get the real picture. They are a part of the solution- a solution that is taking a back seat to a status-quo corruption that cannot be chased away so easily as Ben Ali was... They need all their strength.

My time there was short. My abundance of love for Tunisia is endless. I briefly returned in 2011. Walking the streets. Taking in the smells. Seeing old friends. Eating my favorite foods. All of it felt like a homecoming of sorts. A homecoming that was really without ever having really settled into a home. That's how special Tunis is to me.

I will return again someday.