Turkish Holiday Destinations

Thinking of traveling to Turkey?  Already there and wondering where to go and what to see?  Please click on this link.  It contains links to many of my blog posts on travel to some of my favorite spots.  Ankara to Istanbul!  The Mediterranean coast, Aegean, and Black Sea!  Kapadokya!!!  And let's not forget the paragliding adventure!...

Top 5 Things to do in Ankara — Off the Beaten Path

I have hesitated to write a Top 5 "to do" list of my favorite places in Ankara.  The reason?  I am not a "usual" type of girl. The things I like to see and do will also be enjoyed by most of you, but most are NOT the typical places you will find on a...

A day in Bahçelievler, Ankara

Bahçelievler means houses with gardens. What a lovely name for a neighborhood. I never really visited it much when I lived in Ankara other than visits to the hospital, an antique store, and visits to Anitkabir (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk). According to Wikipedia, Bahcelievler was known in the 1970s as a battleground for...

And just like that … A Tip for Traveling in Turkey (Post-Covid)

I learned something new yesterday and thought I would share it. Yesterday, upon entering Bauhaus (the German version of Home Depot which is also in Turkey), we were asked to show a "HES kodu." Luckily, I was with my husband because I had no idea what they wanted. However, once he informed me what it...

When Manayunk Returns to Ankara

I'm not saying it's going to happen. But I'm not saying it's not either. Should I return to Ankara, what would be my first things to see and do? 1- Hug my mother-in-law and brother-in-law (obviously) and meet my new sister-in-law! I don't think there is a word for "little sister," is there? And if...

When Ayranci Came to Manayunk

Yeah, I like that title too. It seems like I start all of my posts these days with, "I haven't written in a long time." From now on, and until otherwise notified, let's take it as a gimme that I won't write unless I'm moved - when I really have something to say. So, we...

My biggest fan, my brother, my friend

Greetings old friends. I haven't taken the time to keep up with you, to ask how you are doing, or to share my view of the world with you. In fact, earlier this week I mulled over whether I should shut down my blog since I have not kept it up-to-date. But yesterday, I learned...

Doing the Math & My Love of All Things Paşabahçe

When I first moved to Turkey in 2010, I quickly realized that I was constantly converting figures whether it be measurements, temperatures or money.  Some equations were easy.  Temperatures, of course, were more difficult, after all, those involved a whole formula!  For me, the money conversions were the most interesting.  Sure, it was simple math. ...

The Return of “Far from the Sticks”

We all have things we used to do and plan to do again someday. For me, blogging is one of them. I used to post 3 to 4 times a week. Then I left Turkey. I had hoped that with the help of friends, I could keep my readers informed of the comings and goings...

Kiteboarding Turkey

I'm not a water sports person, so I have no idea when kiteboarding, also known as kite surfing, became popular. I would love to share with you, however, my firsthand experience having watched it live in Turkey. At the end of summer 2018, we took a trip to Burhaniye (Ayvalik) on the western coast. My...

The Turk Takes a Trip

Are you tired of the winter blues? Need a little break from Ankara? Feeling a little athletic? Can you deal with just a little bit of hectic travel? Why not try winter sports in France?! As I've previously written, Turkey boasts a truly beautiful mountain for snowboarding and skiing in the heart of Anatolia at...

Typing in Turkey

After years of blogging, my husband decided that I should own a typewriter.  I had always wanted one, but had never pulled the trigger.  He presented me with my first manual typewriter, a 1961 Royal Futura 800. A year and a half later, I'm the proud owner of 13 manual typewriters ranging from extremely odd...

Snow Season! Snowboarding & Skiing in Kayseri

Folks, I know it's cold out there!  Why not consider some winter sports? About a 4-mile drive from Ankara,, in the heart of Anatolia, lies Kayseri.  I call it the "financial heart" of Turkey.  But it's more than that, it boasts a mountain larger than those in the German Alps!  Erciyes, how I love ye,...

Remembering Expat Thanksgiving(s)

I spent 6.5 years in Ankara.  Before moving there, one of the most difficult things I could imagine was celebrating American holidays without my family.  Even harder, would be celebrating Thanksgiving since it is not a holiday at all in Turkey! It has been two years since I returned to the States.  Looking back, my...

Buying winter tires in Ankara

A reader asked a couple of great questions on one of my earlier blog posts, Tips for Driving in the Snow in Turkey.  She was wondering about the costs of winter tires and how a non-Turkish speaker could find out about it?  Below are my thoughts on the matter, but your experiences would be welcome...