Going Home: Family, Friends and Food

Going home each year is a very important event on our calendar.  It gives us a chance to see face to face all those people who we have only connected with on FB, email, Skype and on the telephone.  Staying in touch is problematic, because out of sight is out of mind from our end and for friends and family in Canada.  So it's wonderful to have the opportunity to go home and reconnect.

With going home in mind, the dinner table conversation lately has been about the food we're longing to eat.  We get all the food groups here.  The produce in particular is second to none. We all have our Turkish favourites too.

 However, we are all looking forward to food from home.  Ham and bacon are on the list of course.  After 2.5 years, we've discovered some in country sources of bacon and Cam has a work colleague who brings us ham sausage from Ukraine.  The kids are all looking forward to pizza.  There's a pizza place in Gelibolu and we ate frozen pizza from the grocery store today, but it doesn't look or taste like home.  It has corn on it for one thing! Cam would like a steak I think.  Steak is available here, but you have to be on good terms with the butcher or he'll pound it flat while you're distracted. Sam would really like Mini Wheats once we get home.  He still eats cereal most days.  There are usually only three choices at our local grocery store: flakes with strawberries, plain flakes or round brown "chocolate" flavoured balls.  Last week I found some bags of Cherrios at a different grocery store.  They don't taste like home but they're a change.  I'm looking forward to a bag of Cheezies ... 

It'll be good to go home to touch base with family and friends, but I know it won't be long until the kids and I will be craving one of our Turkish favourites . . . pide anyone?

Easter Sunday

Cam gave himself Easter Sunday off. He worked Christmas and Boxing Day and most of the days between then and now. It was nice to have a relaxing family kind of day at home. 

We watched the last three hours, in two sessions, of Jesus of Nazareth. (We started watching it on Good Friday.  It's more than 6 hours long.)  I thought we'd brought The Gospel of John with us from home and I was looking forward to watching it.  This was a pretty good substitute.  It had some well developed original ideas about the motivations of some of the main characters, especially Judas.

Cam managed a short nap in his new hammock. I made an apple pie in the morning, my first pie in Turkey with a new dough recipe. (No lard or shortening available here.)  I made leg of lamb (now known as "lego- lamb" or just "lego" at our house) with roast potatoes and gravy. It was pretty good.  Cam and Nicole zipped into town after supper and bought ice cream which fixed the pie.  It was a really good day. Just for fun the kids and I dressed for dinner.

Yes Nicole is tall, but LOOK at Sam!

Johanna's gained some elevation too!

It smelled so good!

Pie number 2.  I think this one will be better than the first. I used different apples and watched it very carefully.

Pie number 1 covered in ice cream.

The Laundry Hokey Pokey or 26 Steps to Clean Laundry

1. Check the weather report for Gelibolu.
2. Look at the sky and the sea.
3. Check the weather report again making sure to search Gelibolu, Turkey.
4. Put dirty clothes into the front loading clothes washer.
5. Wash them for a while.
6. Take them out and wring them by hand.
7. Hang them outside on the line behind the house.
8. Look at the sky and sea. Wonder why you bothered looking at the weather report.
9. After the wind has blown for thirty minutes, go outside and pick some clothes out of garden and neighbours' yards. Bring inside. (See #4)
10. When rain starts, dash outside and gather armloads of damp laundry. Hang on portable dryer on deck.
11. Move portable dryer around deck to keep it away from rain and cats.
12. Forget to anchor portable dryer with rocks.
13. Go outside set portable dryer upright again. Gently straighten bent frame.
14. Anchor portable dryer with four heavy rocks.
15. Take clothes, that got dirty when the dryer fell over, inside the house. (See #4)
16. Drag portable dryer inside the house in the evening.
17. Avoid scowls of disgruntled family members who must shimmy past portable dryer which takes up all the floor space in the living room.
18. In the morning, touch all the laundry.
19.  Fold and put away the two pieces of clothing which are now dry.
20. Hang up yesterday’s items which were washed again.
21. Drag portable dryer outside to the deck.
22. Anchor it with rocks.
23. Drag portable dryer inside the house in the evening.
24. Avoid the scowls of disgruntled family members who must shimmy past portable dryer which takes up all the floor space in the living room.
25. In the morning touch all the laundry.
26. Fold and put away dry laundry.

Repeat this sequence ten to fifteen times each week from November until April.  Between April and October you may be able to skip some steps.

What happened today...

 ...not too much really.  I woke up too early - before sunrise. I watched youtube TV for a bit and then spent a while sorting out the problem I made with my knitting yesterday. I picked up around the house a bit, emptied the dishwasher, and gathered Sam's laundry from the line. I surprised everyone and made pancakes for breakfast.  Cam is our usual breakfast chef - when we eat together.  However, lately we all fend for ourselves. We watched the end of Ben10 while we had breakfast.  Having the TV on during meals is a rarity in our house.

After breakfast, Nicole cleared up (the kids take turns) and I started laundry.  Then she and I met in her room and discussed the novel she is reading (Christy).  We did some internet research related to the novel and she copied a few paragraphs from the novel that I dictated.  Then we discussed her last math exercise from Math in Everyday Life. She completed the exercise from yesterday, while I waited.  Then we discussed budgeting for a family versus a single person. We also discussed what she might need to earn and save in order to buy a used car in 3 years.

I checked with Johanna to see what she was working on. I don't remember - but usually Blender (computer animation), English 20 assignments or maps research.

I got Sam from his room and turned on the computer so he could do math facts drill (Math Rider). Just as the program was loading the power went out so we corrected his history quiz (Mystery of History I) from yesterday.  By the time we finished, the power was on so he was able to do the drill.

Afterwards, I worked on laundry.  We don't have a dryer but today there was quite a breeze so line drying the loads was very quick and effective.

Once Sam was off the computer I checked my email, cruised facebook, read the Three Hills Capital, and watched a video Johanna made. Then Nicole and I made lunch.  The fridge was practically bare so I made grilled cheese sandwiches while Nicole made fruit salad from one can of mixed fruit, a banana and a peach.

At lunch, Cam and I decided to go for groceries in the afternoon and to Silivre tomorrow to look at boats.  None of the kids were keen to go along this afternoon or tomorrow.  Nicole cleared up and I went to reboot the laundry.  Once the laundry was going around again, I used google translate to write down some boat shopping phrases.  Sam and I copied the grocery list from the wipeboard to a piece of paper.

Cam and I decided to go to Kesan for groceries instead of Gelibolu.  He wanted to go to the Technosa to buy headphones with a built in mic so he can Skype his boss and I thought we could stop at the Yamaha dealer in Kesan to look at their boats.  Johanna decided she would come with us because the Kesan Kipa has more interesting things to look at than the one in Gelibolu.

The road from Kavak to Kesan is still under construction, so we weaved in and around the pylons.  We stopped at the Yamaha dealer, but it turns out all they have for sale is 4.5m and larger used boats which we think are too big.  The other smaller boats they have are in storage.  While we drove to Technosa, I called our neighbour to ask where she bought her inflatable boat.  After Cam bought a headset we drove to the Kipa (supermarket). 

We got two carts and zoomed around. We always buy a little more at this Kipa because they have a wider selection of international products (HP sauce, Heinz Ketchup, SoySauce), things we can't buy in Gelibolu (large bags of cereal) and sometimes we find better prices too.  The downside of shopping at this Kipa is that it's sooo big compared to our usual grocery store that I find it distracting.  The other downside is that they rarely have fresh milk.  Today they had two 1 liter glass bottles - both expired by 6 days - bleh.  So once again we bought UHT milk in the box.  The kids don't care for it but there's no choice. Cam filled his cart with water.  We don't drink the water that comes out of the taps, although we use it for cooking.

Cam drove us home.  On the way the truck in front of us passed a wagon powered by an auger motor I think Cam said .... and then we did too.

This is the major highway which bisects the peninsula we live on. Right now this road is under construction so in many places it is a two lane undivided highway.  Eventually it will be a four lane mostly divided highway.
 Horse powered or alternatively powered vehicles (like this one) filled with farm products and families are a normal part of using this road.
There were at least five people on this one. Mom, Dad (driving), two older children and a babe in mom's arms.  The traffic is doing +-100K.

We came home and unloaded the groceries, unloading and putting away is an "all hands on deck job" so it goes quickly.  I went out to the line to continue with the laundry. Our neighbour came out to talk with me.  She found a 5" long "thousand legger" in her bed last night so she called her brother and he will pick her up and take her home to Istanbul on Sunday.  We knew she wasn't planning to stay for the winter, but I'm sad she's leaving so soon.  She showed me the bug in the alley (dead under a rock!).  I showed Cam and the kids.  It's pretty ugly.  We've had lots of centipedes (and other bugs!) in the house but nothing as big as this.

After we parted company, I went back to collecting laundry.  I took the basket up stairs and then sat at my computer for a few minutes. Cam and I skyped for a few moments so he could test his new headset. When I heard him finish his business skype call and put the steaks on the bbq, I went downstairs and chopped vegis  (radishes, carrots, red pepper, cucumber). Nicole baked potatos and set the table.

After supper I skyped my mom (yeah!). Johanna picked a movie for us to watch - Quest for Camelot and now Johanna and Sam are playing Chess on Johanna's computer - which is still connected to the TV - so Nicole and Cam can watch.  Before bed Cam and Sam and I usually read part of Two Towers (J.R.R. Tolkien) and a chapter in the Bible (Genesis right now) together.

It's bed time.  It's been a long day.

New Mosque and Dinner Under the Galata Bridge

People watching on the steps of the Yeni (new) Mosque eating dondurma (ice cream).

Beside us kiosks selling bird food for the pigeons.

Under the Galata Bridge a few minutes later.  Lots of fishers above us.

Restaurants on the lower level of the Galata Bridge.

These are the fish we have which one would you like to eat?

Nicole and I shared fish caserole.  THE BEST THING I've eaten since I got here.

Johanna and Cam shared grilled fish - seemed more fried than grilled Cam said.

Sam chose kofte (mixed meat patties) often served with rice pilav.
 

Sam ordered Baklava for dessert and shared his last two bites with ME!

The restaurant owner sent one of the waiters with us to organize two cabs back to our hotel when our meal was finished.  The fellow offered to take one of our beautiful daughters off our hands.  Good thing he was talking to Cam who gave him a reasoned reply (NO!).  I might have punched him.



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Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar

One of many entrances to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Inside the Bazaar - we stopped for a drink.

Inside the Bazaar.

Lots to see.

The street scene outside the covered Bazaar is very busy.

Spice Bazaar - downhill from Grand Bazaar.

In the Spice Bazaar - such wonderful smells.

Cam in front of one many shop in the Spice Bazaar.

Holy Wisdom Hagia Sophia

  On Wednesday, September 19 we toured the Hagia Sophia (Greek for Holy Wisdom). The present building was rebuilt by order of the Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora in 532. According to our guide, it took 10,000 slaves five years to complete. After the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, as Istanbul was known then, the decision was made by the Sultan to tear down the cathedral and built a mosque in its place. However, his mother was a Christian and out of respect for her; he left the building standing but covered many of the Christian symbols and mosaics. After Turkey became a republic in 1923, the building was briefly closed and then reopened as a museum in 1935. There have been some efforts made to uncover the mosaics.

The dome.

 

Twelve windows over portraits of 6/12 of the disciples. The rest of the portraits are on the other side of the "room". Not all of the portraits have been restored.  There is no public access to the level they are on either.

  



There were quite a few of the these carved panels. I liked the hearts.

There are red and green pillars which our guide said were colours associated in the Byzantine church with holiness; although this looks purple to me.

Us on the main floor.

This enormous jar was used to hold olive oil for lighting the lamps.  There are two jars.

Johanna and Nicole outside the baptistery.

One of two sets of stairs leading into or out of the baptistery.

Jesus (centre) with the Emperor and Empress. 

Do you see the ancient fish symbol of Christianity?

A restored mosaic of Mary and Jesus.

I love the doors in Turkish buildings.

Cam beside the marble doorway.


 

 











Topkapi Palace

A double door and a room filled with guards will keep the ancient riff raff out.

The guard beside the tree has an automatic weapon to keep the modern riff raff under control.

Hagai Irene - Holy Peace The first church built in Constantiople - in the courtyard of the Palace.

Some trees you just can't kill.

A line up to get into the rooms.

Every good fortress is on the top of a hill.  Topkapi is no exception.

The library.  No books in sight but what a marvelous room for reclining with a good book. Unfortunately that wasn't an option because the area was roped off.

The light in the library.

On our way out - mom why do you keep stopping?

 

The Topkapi Palace was our second stop on Wednesday September 19.  The Palace consists of a number of buildings which were used for public government meetings and for the private use of the family.  Inside the walls there is a large green space.  We looked inside some of the buildings and were able to view a number of the Palace’s collections which include furniture, jewels, and swords. On display in one room was the stunning 86 carat Spoonmaker’s diamond.  It was found in a rubbish heap according to the tale and exchanged for 3 spoons in the market place.  Photography was limited in some of the rooms and forbidden in others so my photos consist primarily of exteriors.  In one set of rooms there are many Muslim artifacts linked to Mohammed, including some of his clothes, his sword, and hair. In this same set of rooms we saw David’s sword, Moses’ staff, Abraham’s saucepan,  Joshua’s turban and John the Baptist’s arm bone (in a metal glove) and skull. I had no idea these kind of relics were on display anywhere.  If you’d like to see pictures; Google “Topkapi” and the items by name and you’ll find amazing pictures. If we have a chance to go again, I'd pay the extra cost and see the Hagai Irene and the Harem (private quarters for the family).

Everybody has an angle.

 

 

 

After the Hagia Sophia we stopped for a drink and bite to eat (pop/water and fries).  The tables were covered by umbrellas so we were out of the sun and then out of the rain when it rained. Afterwards we paused on the corner so I could take a photo of this cool tree. (above)

A man approached us and asked if we were from America.  He was very friendly and spoke excellent English. He began by telling us he was visiting Turkey from Florida where he's lived with his American wife20 for 24 years.  They brought their neighbours who were touring the Topkapi Palace. He names all the places in Canada he's been and tells he knows more about our country than we do. (Hmm.) Then he takes a phone call. When he's finished, he says he's building a house in Turkey and by the way we should really buy Turkish carpets while we're here. Would we like some tips on buying Turkish carpets?  (Well ok but we've bought carpets.) So he tells us to buy wool and naturally dyed carpets. (OK well nice to meet you ... but we have carpets and today we are visiting the sites.)  Then he starts again.  We could come to his shop.  It's twenty minutes away and he could show us what to buy and it won't take very long and ... (Unhuh)

Cam and I gave each other "the look", politely said no thank you and walked away. Maybe he had an American wife, visiting neighbours and a house under construction, and maybe not.

As Cam says "Everybody has an angle".