Sunday, July 31, 2011
Chios, Greece - June 2011
On our fourth day in Cesme, we decided to go to Chios Island. It is only a 45-minute boat ride. This island is known as "Sakiz Adasi" or "Mastic Island" in Turkish, because of its abundant mastic.
In June, it only cost us 10 Euros roundtrip for the boat ride. In July/August, it shoots up to 60 Euros. Another good reason to travel in June. It used to be that June would still be cool and you couldn't swim in June, but with global warming, sadly, you can swim and sun in June, without broiling. I've been taking my vacations in June the last 2 years and I think there are some advantages to doing so. Lower prices, minimal crowds, good weather. It had not become unbearably hot yet.
We arrived in Chios and no visible signs of the financial crisis in Greece (great!). It seems people were going about their business as usual, meeting each other for coffee in local cafes, etc.
Compared to Rhodes (the only other Greek island I've been to), Chios is bigger and less touristy. Rhodes seems fairy-taleish, set up for tourits. Chios seemed more gritty and also a big island, for the locals, not the tourists. I like that.
Close to the harbor, there are some nice cafes near the seaside, where locals meet and tourists also visit.
Notes:
1. Shops close around 2:30 pm and don't reopen till 5:30 pm. Restaurants do remain open during this time, but the rest of life halts. Also, on Sundays, all shops are closed. Plan accordingly.
2. It is not customary to tip at a restaurant. Apparently, tip is included in the prices. I found out after the fact. Oh well.
My friend and I had a drink at one of the seaside cafes, then dove into the back and side streets to walk and do some sightseeing and shopping. It seemed like time stood still. Lots of old buildings, charming. Same breathtakingblue water as in Rhodes.
It seems folks on this island have a sweet tooth, lots of bakeries, etc. Customs agents were very pleasant and smiled upon our arrival. Priests in long robes walk around the streets.
I couldn't read the Greek writing, so I was lost most of the time, but it seemed everyone spoke English and was very helpful.
After the shops closed, my friend and I had lunch and then we went to the "Mastic Shop" which is a very nice upscale store selling all things mastic to tourists. I got some mastic to put into my puddings.
"O Ev" boutique Hotel in Alacati
I just walked into this wonderful boutique hotel by accident and couldn't resist taking pictures of it. I'm sure it's quite expensive, but you only live once....
More thoughts on Cesme
Ater getting our ice cream, my friend Chi showed me a local jewelery store called Beycan, where I bought a pair of silver chandelier earrings for my sister. THe owner told me that a 75-yr. old Albanian man makes them by hand and sells them on consignment. Well, I had to buy it after that sob store! I was always picking things up for my sister on this trip, I wish she could have been here with me. It is just her scene, kind of bohemian and beachy, but upscale. Especially Alacati. She would LOOOOOVE Alacati. Hopefully, she will get there one day soon.
It seems that many people from the Balkans have settled here in the Cesme region and the result is their wonderful cuisine and the handiwork (like silversmithing). What a nice cultural addition for Turkey.
It seems that many people from the Balkans have settled here in the Cesme region and the result is their wonderful cuisine and the handiwork (like silversmithing). What a nice cultural addition for Turkey.
The very unique cuisine of the Aegean
I woke up after a sound night's sleep. We went into Alacati for breakfast. Wow, what a find. Very quaint town gone upscale. Like a typical Greek village, all blue and white, cobblestone paths. My friend took us to "Sailor House" which has the best breakfast in town. Delicious, but you don't need to eat for the rest of the day, if you go there. The highlight was the homemade orange peel jam. Wow. Another local specialty. I found the cuisine of Cesme/Aegean to be very unique and healthy.
Then we walked around Alacati a bit. Lots of boutiques selling trendy clothes, boutique hotels, etc.
We swam a few times that day, then went into Cesme again for teatime So much for those plans to economize and cook at home. I got to our condo, looked around and said to myself "I'm not peeling onions this week" :)
There is a great ice creamery in Cesme called "Rumeli Pastahanesi". They make many natural ice creams, but are best known for their mastic ice cream. This is a local flavor, like a natural gum. Light, not too sweet. It was maybe the best ice cream I've ever had in my life. This place consistently gets picked in the Top 10 Ice Cream shops in Turkey. Also, their boysenberry, peach and melon flavors are supposed to be good.
At the ice cream shop, they also sell mastic paste (or mastic jam, as they call it). The owner's wife describe how to use it. You make a Turkish coffee, then next to it, you have a cold glass of water. Take a small teaspoon of the mastic paste and put it in the glass of water. Don't mix it. Just let it sit there until you finish your coffee, then drink the water. It is refreshing and balances out the bitterness of the coffee and I bet it helps with digestion. Another very unique local tradition.
There is also mastic-flavored jelly (Turkish delight) which makes for a nice gift to bring back home. I like the Vittakis brand very much.
We also went to the Alacati market on Saturday morning, apparently, very famous. My friend pointed out local specialties, such as the small artichokes. I'm not sure of how you prepare them, but it seems you stuff these artichokes with rice, like any other dolma, but you put the stuffing in between the leaves too. Hmm, I'd like to see that recipe.
Another local favorite that is sold by vendors walking on the beaches is mussel dolma. Just like they sell fruit on the beaches of Mexico, you have guys walking around selling this delicacy. The mussels are stuffed with the meat of the mussel and rice dolma. You crack open the mussel, and scoop out the filling with the empty shell and pour lemon juice over it. You eat it, much like you'd eat oysters on the half shell. very nice.
Some not so healthy but famous and yummy local specialties include boyoz (a special morning bun), kumru (an elaborate grilled sandwich with a special bun called kumru) and lokma, a fried doughnut sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
At my favorite restaurant, Imren, we had squash blossom dolmas. I imagine this is difficult to make, but it sure is good.
Then we walked around Alacati a bit. Lots of boutiques selling trendy clothes, boutique hotels, etc.
We swam a few times that day, then went into Cesme again for teatime So much for those plans to economize and cook at home. I got to our condo, looked around and said to myself "I'm not peeling onions this week" :)
There is a great ice creamery in Cesme called "Rumeli Pastahanesi". They make many natural ice creams, but are best known for their mastic ice cream. This is a local flavor, like a natural gum. Light, not too sweet. It was maybe the best ice cream I've ever had in my life. This place consistently gets picked in the Top 10 Ice Cream shops in Turkey. Also, their boysenberry, peach and melon flavors are supposed to be good.
At the ice cream shop, they also sell mastic paste (or mastic jam, as they call it). The owner's wife describe how to use it. You make a Turkish coffee, then next to it, you have a cold glass of water. Take a small teaspoon of the mastic paste and put it in the glass of water. Don't mix it. Just let it sit there until you finish your coffee, then drink the water. It is refreshing and balances out the bitterness of the coffee and I bet it helps with digestion. Another very unique local tradition.
There is also mastic-flavored jelly (Turkish delight) which makes for a nice gift to bring back home. I like the Vittakis brand very much.
We also went to the Alacati market on Saturday morning, apparently, very famous. My friend pointed out local specialties, such as the small artichokes. I'm not sure of how you prepare them, but it seems you stuff these artichokes with rice, like any other dolma, but you put the stuffing in between the leaves too. Hmm, I'd like to see that recipe.
Another local favorite that is sold by vendors walking on the beaches is mussel dolma. Just like they sell fruit on the beaches of Mexico, you have guys walking around selling this delicacy. The mussels are stuffed with the meat of the mussel and rice dolma. You crack open the mussel, and scoop out the filling with the empty shell and pour lemon juice over it. You eat it, much like you'd eat oysters on the half shell. very nice.
Some not so healthy but famous and yummy local specialties include boyoz (a special morning bun), kumru (an elaborate grilled sandwich with a special bun called kumru) and lokma, a fried doughnut sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
At my favorite restaurant, Imren, we had squash blossom dolmas. I imagine this is difficult to make, but it sure is good.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Visiting the town of Cesme, June 2011
The water in Ilica is great, not too cold or salty. After our swim, Chi took me to the windsurfing schools in Alacati. Alacati is the windsurfing center in Turkey and quite a few international competitions are held there. Lots of trendy cafes and bars and some nice hotels converted from old stone houses.
Next, we visited the Sheraton Cesme and took in the thermal waters and each had a massage.
For our first night, we drove into the town of Cesme for dinner. The downtown market of Cesme is typical, not too fancy or expensive. We dined at a local spot, called Imren. Wow. We had squash blossom dolma, a regional specialty. We also had artichoke in olive oil, which is my favorite dish in all of Turkish cooking. Imren serves homemade food and frankly, Chi and I could eat there every night and not get bored. The locals say that you should eat 60 artichokes a year (for cleansing your liver). Not a problem for me!! A local man also told us that he dries out the artichoke leaves and boils them in the winter and drinks the water (like a tea). Again, very good for the liver.. Maybe after a long night of drinking, eh??
Next, we visited the Sheraton Cesme and took in the thermal waters and each had a massage.
For our first night, we drove into the town of Cesme for dinner. The downtown market of Cesme is typical, not too fancy or expensive. We dined at a local spot, called Imren. Wow. We had squash blossom dolma, a regional specialty. We also had artichoke in olive oil, which is my favorite dish in all of Turkish cooking. Imren serves homemade food and frankly, Chi and I could eat there every night and not get bored. The locals say that you should eat 60 artichokes a year (for cleansing your liver). Not a problem for me!! A local man also told us that he dries out the artichoke leaves and boils them in the winter and drinks the water (like a tea). Again, very good for the liver.. Maybe after a long night of drinking, eh??
Cesme, Turkey - June 14-20, 2011
It's been more than 20 years since I've been to Cesme on the Aegean Coast. My friend, Chi, is originally from nearby Izmir (the third largest city in Turkey) and she grew up spending her summers in Cesme, as many people from Izmir do. Chi rented a summer home in Cesme this year and we went there to spend a week. Lovely.
Like most Aegean towns, Cesme has a Greek flavor to it. There has been so much migration back and forth between Turks and Greeks (and people from Balkan countries) in this region that the physical appearances and cultures are similar. In recent years, Cesme has become very fashionable, rivaling Bodrum as the summer hot spot. There are several towns near Cesme, such as Ilica and Alacati, that are also popular with vacationers. Cesme is also a 45-minute boat ride to Chios, a Greek island known for its mastic (a gum-like substance used to flavor desserts).
Chi and I took the 9 am flight from Istanbul to Izmir on Tuesday. Since she is a frequent traveler, we took advantage of the VIP lounge at Ataturk Airport- a fabulous way to start our vacation!
Note to self: If you buy a plane ticket on Turkish Airlines using a Shop and Miles credit card from Garanti Bank (Turkish bank), then you have access to the VIP lounge. They have a great breakfast, free newspapers and wi-fi. And some prime posing among businesspeople. Best of all, they call you to the plane about 15 minutes before it takes off. You don't have to wait around. :)
We got to Izmir around 10 am and rented a car at the airport. Best decision ever! It gave us so much freedom to bop around the Cesme peninsula. Cesme is about 1 hour south of Izmir and the drive from the Izmir airport to Cesme is quite expensive from what I hear (about 80 lira each way?). Might as well rent a car and have the flexibility.
We went swimming righ away at our condo complex. At this time of the year, families with children have not yet arrived and the area is half-empty. Mostly retirees and very young grandchildren who don't have to take exams are here at this time of the year. The weather is pleasant in mid-June, not too hot. The water is cool, but refreshing and not freezing at all. Very nice.
Like most Aegean towns, Cesme has a Greek flavor to it. There has been so much migration back and forth between Turks and Greeks (and people from Balkan countries) in this region that the physical appearances and cultures are similar. In recent years, Cesme has become very fashionable, rivaling Bodrum as the summer hot spot. There are several towns near Cesme, such as Ilica and Alacati, that are also popular with vacationers. Cesme is also a 45-minute boat ride to Chios, a Greek island known for its mastic (a gum-like substance used to flavor desserts).
Chi and I took the 9 am flight from Istanbul to Izmir on Tuesday. Since she is a frequent traveler, we took advantage of the VIP lounge at Ataturk Airport- a fabulous way to start our vacation!
Note to self: If you buy a plane ticket on Turkish Airlines using a Shop and Miles credit card from Garanti Bank (Turkish bank), then you have access to the VIP lounge. They have a great breakfast, free newspapers and wi-fi. And some prime posing among businesspeople. Best of all, they call you to the plane about 15 minutes before it takes off. You don't have to wait around. :)
We got to Izmir around 10 am and rented a car at the airport. Best decision ever! It gave us so much freedom to bop around the Cesme peninsula. Cesme is about 1 hour south of Izmir and the drive from the Izmir airport to Cesme is quite expensive from what I hear (about 80 lira each way?). Might as well rent a car and have the flexibility.
We went swimming righ away at our condo complex. At this time of the year, families with children have not yet arrived and the area is half-empty. Mostly retirees and very young grandchildren who don't have to take exams are here at this time of the year. The weather is pleasant in mid-June, not too hot. The water is cool, but refreshing and not freezing at all. Very nice.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Mersin, June 2011
It's been one week since I got to Turkey. I went to Mersin, my hometown, right away. I love flying domestically in Turkey - it is such a breeze. No long security lines, no taking your shoes off, just show up and go. Most flights in Turkey are one hour and the pilots fly at an altitude where you can see the land below - fun.
The second airport in Istanbul (Sabiha Gokcen) is so convenient for those of us who stay on the Asian side. New terminal, nice cafes, very modern.
Mersin! I was reminded again what a modern city Mersin is. Once people are done working for the day, they all go to the coast for recreation, whether it's biking, walking along the sea, tennis or swimming. Because it's hot, people play tennis starting at 6 am and then, again, at night. Red clay courts - mmmmm...
You don't see too many women who are covered up in headscarves in Mersin. Everyone is wearing jeans and tee-shirts, very comfortable, free. I feel like I'm in a southern European city.
It's a lovely city and I wonder how much longer I will have ties to it. All our relatives there seem to be old now and my mother and siblings don't seem to be interested in returning there. Only me. How I would love to have an apartment, like the one my great-aunt has, with a view of the Mediterrenean Sea at her fingertips, looking out at the Hilton, tennis courts, swimming pools, etc. Gorgeous. What would it take for me to buy a place in Mersin? Would I be bored if I moved there for my retirement? They have a university and a lively arts scene (Mersin State Opera and Ballet, etc.).
As I had promised myself for quite a while, I went to visit my grandparents' graves and pray and make sure that their resting places are properly cleaned and tended to. I was soooo, sooo relieved and happy after fulfilling that promise.
I ended up attending my first political rally while in Mersin! It was so much fun. My great-aunt's house is right by the stadium and that's where the rally was held. It was for the MHP, which is the third main political party in Turkey. What fun, what an electric air there was 3 days before the elections. Followers of the MHP are pretty hard-core loyal, and since this party has been rocked by some scandals during the campaigns, I think the supporters rallied behind their party even more. As his convoy was leaving, Devlet Bahceli (leader of the MHP) stuck his hand and head out, smiled and waved to us!! And my great-aunt and I waved back to him from our balcony and I wished him well.
Places to visit in Mersin: The new Marina, Forum (mall), the seaside neighborhood of Pozcu, the downtown area of Camlibel, where my mother grew up. Near my great-aunt's house, there is a very nice cafe/bakery called "Aydeniz Pastahanesi". Also, "Akdeniz Restaurant" (seafood restaurant).
What to wear in Mersin in the summer: It gets really hot and humid so it's all about keeping cool and comfortable. It would be good to dress somewhat modestly for women. For example, cap-sleeve tee-shirts are better than sleeveless tanks. Most women wear tee-shirts and jeans; very few dresses/skirts seen. Very modern dressing, mostly sporty. A lightweight cardigan might be a good thing to keep on hand.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Istanbul, June 5 2011
Well, here I am again. I took Lufthansa from SFO to Munich. Got really airsick and had to lie down on the floor of the plane. The stewardesses were wonderful. They gave me a blanket and pillow and told me to lie down as long as I wanted, since everyone else was sleeping at that time. It was terrible but I got better as the flight went on. This was the first time I got sick on an airplane.
The service on Lufthansa is great, but the food is so-so. My plane had a cool feature in that it was a 2-level plane and the bathrooms were downstairs. You go down these stairs and there they were. Spacious hallways.
I got to Istanbul at midnight and the air was perfect, like lemonade. Not humid at all, but nice and warm. I rolled down the window of my taxi and chatted politics with the taxi driver. General elections coming up next week - major excitement.
Only slept 1 hour last night. Hoping to get back to normal soon.
The service on Lufthansa is great, but the food is so-so. My plane had a cool feature in that it was a 2-level plane and the bathrooms were downstairs. You go down these stairs and there they were. Spacious hallways.
I got to Istanbul at midnight and the air was perfect, like lemonade. Not humid at all, but nice and warm. I rolled down the window of my taxi and chatted politics with the taxi driver. General elections coming up next week - major excitement.
Only slept 1 hour last night. Hoping to get back to normal soon.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Austin, TX - February 2011
This is the year I come through on promises I made to myself 10 years ago to visit places like Florida and Austin. So far, so good.
I spent a wonderful 4 days in Austin for President's Day weekend, staying with my college roommate and her family. We both went to UT-Austin many years ago and I had not been back since. I don't know where to start except to say it was a great trip. My friend was very excited to have me in town and took me to many places, new and familiar. Boy has Austin changed since I went to school there. It still has that quirky, indie, liberal vibe, but now, there is also a lot of high-tech money, which brings about the trappings of wealth- upscale malls (a stand-alone Louis Vuitton store in Austin!!!) and the newly-opened W Hotel in downtown.
There were many highlights, but visiting the UT campus on Sunday took my breath away. I fell in love with the campus. It's such a regal school, serious and weighty, very Ivy League campus like... What a beautiful and serious institution... It made me want to enroll in a program right at that moment.
I arrived on Friday, and at my request, we did Texas BBQ takeout for dinner. And took it easy that night.
Saturday was definitely a girls day out kind of a day. Saturday morning took us to a nearby shopping center where we met another friend of ours from way back. We had a nice time catching up over tea. Then, MMO and I (all names shall remain hidden to protecy their privacy???) did a bit of browsing, got lunch at the Whole Foods headquarters (liberal vibe!), and got our nails done. Then it was back downtown for a night on the town. First up, drinks at the newly opened W Hotel. Then, we tried going to an upscale Mexican restaurant nearby, but it was packed. So, we decided to go back towards home to a very nice traditional Mexican restaurant, housed in a hacienda, which was a much more authentic experience for me anyway.
Sunday - we started off with facials at Milk and Honey, downtown. Then, we did a 3-mile walk around Town Lake. Austinites are very outdoorsy types. After the walk, we got smoothies at an outdoor juice bar, which looked like a shack on the beach - loved it. Ran into some dude whom I initially dismissed as a Texan good ole boy, then he started talking about how he spent a year in Paris, learning French and I perked up. Turns out he is a successful local businessman. After the juice bar, we headed home, got dressed and went back out to see the UT campus and our former dorm and condo where we lived... Memories...
From there, MMO took me to South Congress Street. First, I discovered a local jewelry designer (whose name escapes me now, but with whose work I am familiar with from magazines and SF stores). Loved her work... We walked around and saw a park with all food trucks, serving innovative food. This is a foodie town, I think. We had a nice sit down lunch and then headed back home, whipping through 6th Street. Austin is big music town, very creative vibe. Tons of tourists on S. Congress Street- maybe because it was a long weekend?
We were pretty pooped by the time we got home, so we stayed home and watched "Eat, Pray, Love" which MMO loved (and I watched for the third time, didn't mind at all, it is such a feel-good movie).
And on Monday, it was time to go back, so we headed to the airport.
I've been back about 2 months now and I keep thinking about Austin. A very liveable city!!
I spent a wonderful 4 days in Austin for President's Day weekend, staying with my college roommate and her family. We both went to UT-Austin many years ago and I had not been back since. I don't know where to start except to say it was a great trip. My friend was very excited to have me in town and took me to many places, new and familiar. Boy has Austin changed since I went to school there. It still has that quirky, indie, liberal vibe, but now, there is also a lot of high-tech money, which brings about the trappings of wealth- upscale malls (a stand-alone Louis Vuitton store in Austin!!!) and the newly-opened W Hotel in downtown.
There were many highlights, but visiting the UT campus on Sunday took my breath away. I fell in love with the campus. It's such a regal school, serious and weighty, very Ivy League campus like... What a beautiful and serious institution... It made me want to enroll in a program right at that moment.
I arrived on Friday, and at my request, we did Texas BBQ takeout for dinner. And took it easy that night.
Saturday was definitely a girls day out kind of a day. Saturday morning took us to a nearby shopping center where we met another friend of ours from way back. We had a nice time catching up over tea. Then, MMO and I (all names shall remain hidden to protecy their privacy???) did a bit of browsing, got lunch at the Whole Foods headquarters (liberal vibe!), and got our nails done. Then it was back downtown for a night on the town. First up, drinks at the newly opened W Hotel. Then, we tried going to an upscale Mexican restaurant nearby, but it was packed. So, we decided to go back towards home to a very nice traditional Mexican restaurant, housed in a hacienda, which was a much more authentic experience for me anyway.
Sunday - we started off with facials at Milk and Honey, downtown. Then, we did a 3-mile walk around Town Lake. Austinites are very outdoorsy types. After the walk, we got smoothies at an outdoor juice bar, which looked like a shack on the beach - loved it. Ran into some dude whom I initially dismissed as a Texan good ole boy, then he started talking about how he spent a year in Paris, learning French and I perked up. Turns out he is a successful local businessman. After the juice bar, we headed home, got dressed and went back out to see the UT campus and our former dorm and condo where we lived... Memories...
From there, MMO took me to South Congress Street. First, I discovered a local jewelry designer (whose name escapes me now, but with whose work I am familiar with from magazines and SF stores). Loved her work... We walked around and saw a park with all food trucks, serving innovative food. This is a foodie town, I think. We had a nice sit down lunch and then headed back home, whipping through 6th Street. Austin is big music town, very creative vibe. Tons of tourists on S. Congress Street- maybe because it was a long weekend?
We were pretty pooped by the time we got home, so we stayed home and watched "Eat, Pray, Love" which MMO loved (and I watched for the third time, didn't mind at all, it is such a feel-good movie).
And on Monday, it was time to go back, so we headed to the airport.
I've been back about 2 months now and I keep thinking about Austin. A very liveable city!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Miami, FL - December 2010
Ok, the weather got progressively warmer as I went down to Miami. I didn't hear English spoken for the first 10 minutes at the airport!!! The people here are very nice and helpful and friendly. No attitude at all. Great music, I cranked up the salsa stations while driving all the time. Ah, it's good to be Latin and living in Miami.
The first day, my friend's friend took me out to dinner in Coral Gables and then drove me around downtown Miami, and gave me some tips about where to go and what to do. That was a big help.
I started my second day by driving out to Key Biscayne. Gosh, I loved that place. It's like an island. First, condos, highrises, and strip malls, all the conveniences available for residents. Then, some luxury hotels and a tennis center. And finally, at the tip, a state park, which I entered. So peaceful. People fishing, biking. It was paradise. I think that if I lived in Miami, Key Biscayne would be my first choice.
In the afternoon, I did the touristy thing and went to Bayside, in downtown Miami. From there, I took at 2 hour cruise where we toured the celebrities homes by water.
First of all, the Miami skyline is impressive- all those highrises in downtown Miami (banks, banks and banks!!) right on the water...
Then, they showed us Fisher Island, where Tom Cruise, Shakira and Boris Becker have homes. I was not impressed at all, they were just condos, no personality, but i suppose there is a lot of security there, etc.
Then, we toured all the gorgeous estates of Liz Taylor, Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, etc... Anybody who is anybody has a presence in Miami, apparently. Wow. I have to say, kitschy as it was, the cruise was the highlight of my trip to Miami.
Day three - I went to South Beach!!!! It was also nice to see the buildings and the scene. Lots of Europeans visiting. Posing at the cafes.. I loved it. Also, so convenient, just walk across the street from the cafes and you're at the beach. Dip in and then grab a bite to eat. Though it was overcast the day I went and not too many people were swimming.
South Beach reminded me so much of Puerto Vallarta or the beach towns in Turkey. Lots of nice shops, cafes, posing. All beach towns have the same feeling and man do I love that vibe!!!!!
I finished off my trip by working out at my hotel, and doing room service. It was great.
I'll post pics very soon. I'm so glad that I got to see the famous "Miami" now. Everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime.
Tampa, Florida -December 2010
I just got back from a week-long trip to Florida. I spent 3 days in Tampa and 3 days in Miami. I had been to Tampa a long time ago, but never to Miami, so I was curious about it.
Despite the freezing temperatures, I had a lovely time in Tampa, where I stayed with my cousin. Met her 3-year old daughter for the first time and fell in love with her. As soon as she took my hand and asked "Auntie Zeynep" to come into her playroom, it was over for me. Melt...I'm so glad that I got a chance to see her at this young adorable age. I hope to go back soon again, despite the long trip.
I also got to see my aunt and uncle, who live in Clearwater and my childhood friend, who moved to Tampa with her family from Turkey a few years ago. There is nothing like old friends, eh?
Despite the freezing temperatures, I had a lovely time in Tampa, where I stayed with my cousin. Met her 3-year old daughter for the first time and fell in love with her. As soon as she took my hand and asked "Auntie Zeynep" to come into her playroom, it was over for me. Melt...I'm so glad that I got a chance to see her at this young adorable age. I hope to go back soon again, despite the long trip.
I also got to see my aunt and uncle, who live in Clearwater and my childhood friend, who moved to Tampa with her family from Turkey a few years ago. There is nothing like old friends, eh?
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