Saturday, March 24, 2007

Boots Up

Yeah! Boots Up
Within the next few hours we will be driving south, and then west to the Aegean Sea. From there we are hoping to hop a cheap ferry to a remote, cold (winter here still) and little visited Greek Island rich in Christian and Islamic history.
We have some island interviews scheduled for our Adventure Columns and are linking those with a mandatory Visa renewal. We will be "boots up" for the next 8 days.
After That? Our spring season is busy;
  • A move across Istanbul to digs closer to our Istanbullu family (now I won't have to walk to be force fed)
  • Set up of our mountain base apartment in Dogubeyazit (just floors and walls right now)
  • Hooking up with the tribal nomads as they start migrating to higher climes.
  • Village life under the stars
    Not sure of the timing and details...just flowing as the days dictate.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Prone to Wander



In a moment lacking in subtlety one of the prettier members of our crew (anonymity demanded) made the following comment; Dad needs to be on the move constantly. He could never settle down…anywhere.
While I thought that was a bit harsh I was assured that it was intended as a compliment and not a slight. I held off on my response until yesterday when we passed this family owned basement workshop, located in 500 year old Ottoman craftsmen quarter deep in a hidden Istanbul neighborhood far from the tourist’s traps and reeking of surliness and surprise. It was certainly not a place for the timid to tread.
Wading through the clutter and speckled with flying chips I talked with the owner and agreed to return for çay and a longer visit. I walked away from this jewel of a find and the promise of a friendship—a bit richer for wandering on the far side of the world. Prone to wander—Lord I feel it.




Tuesday, March 13, 2007

World Wide Trouble Makers

With Levent & Kemal
You've got good friends when they are happier than you are when you finally get wheels. Our first stop was a mandatory Turkish inspection by our Istanbullu family. Without a word I gave up the keys and they were off on a test drive while I tended their shops. Only in Turkey can a SoCal boy get a car, lose it 5 minutes later, then inherit and run a cell phone shop and dry cleaners while the owners joy ride in his new truck. You know its home when it all seems normal.

Living, Traveling, and Wandering on the Far Side of the World

Living, Traveling, and Wandering on the Far Side of the World