Travel is Important to the Soul

Blue Mosque

Inside the Hagia Sophia

Istanbul is an extraordinary place. Amazing sites, sounds, tastes, smells and a great sense of history. Travel is important to re-energize your spirit. It allows you to get a better understanding of your place in the world and the universe. You open yourself to new experiences and different cultures. The more I travel, the more I realize humans are more similar then we all think. I miss the calls to prayer, even the one before the sun comes up! And the food, out of this world. It was super easy to find vegetarian options almost everywhere we went.

Hummus

Baklava

Meze in a Shop window

Meze at our first meal.

Turkish Tea

Turkish Coffee. I preferred it extra sweet.

I find myself searching for things that remind me of Istanbul. For example, The New York Islamic Cultural Center in the photo below, is not too far from our condo. I have yet to find Efes Beer. There are several Turkish restaurants we will have try in the near future.

Our next trip we are going to visit somewhere on the East Coast, perhaps Boston. That's only a short train ride away compared to the flight to Turkey!

Travel Preparation

I am in the midst of preparing for a trip to Istanbul. It is pretty amazing all of the things you need to do! Set-up a car to take you to the airport, find your passport, pack, clean your apartment, call your credit card company, get cash to exchange there, etc. It's probably a good thing I have today off while Craig is at work , because I run around the apartment like a mad man. 


I think travel pillows are ugly, however, our flight is almost 11 hours. I will be using one this time, as well as an eye mask and ear plugs. I don't give a rip how I look. A few Advil PM and a glass of wine, and hopefully, I will be out for several hours. 


Over the past few days when I have told people we are going to Istanbul, they reply, "Be safe", or "Be careful"! What the what? Turkey is not Iraq. Admittedly, Turkey is a mainly Muslin country, and people's views of Americans around the world are not always favorable, but I like to think that Craig and I are smart travelers, and we try our best not to stand out. As I recall, I think when we were in Paris last people were stopping us and asking for directions. I guess we looked Parisian. I never want to be considered an Ugly American. I have witnessed it all to often. One should be respectful of the language and culture of where ever you are visiting. 


My biggest concern is the language. Turkish is not easy. I know "Merhabah", Hello. "Bay" is man, and "Bayan" is women, so I can make it into the correct bathroom. Thank you is a bit difficult, "teşekkür ederim". It sounds a bit like "tea sugar dream". I am sure the places we will visiting, and the majority of the restaurants, people will speak some English. 


How do you prepare for a trip? What's the one thing you absolutely must bring with you? What are suggestions for surviving for long haul flights? 

In Desperate Need of a Vacation

In a little over than a month, Craig and I will be embarking on an adventure. We are off to Istanbul. I am looking forward to traveling to a place where I do not know the language, and from what I have heard and read, has great vegetarian food options. Baklava, stuffed peppers, hummus, and tea! I will get the chance to take a ton of photos, and perhaps a few movies with my new camera. The 10 and a half hour flight there is going to be a challenge. I am hoping Tylenol PM will knock me out so I can sleep a bit. I think I may break down and purchase one of those ugly neck pillows for the plane. Mosques, the Grand Bazaar, whirling dervishes, and the Museum of Archeology are all things to look forward to. Where's your next trip taking you?