Lar in Istanbul

Helloooo, Lovelies! Right after finishing my set design course, Matt and I hopped on a plane to Istanbul. Sounds so faincy doesn’t it? In reality we had bought super cheap tickets back in April because Turkish Airways just started a direct route from Edinburgh (bless!). Never in a million bijillion years did I think I would get to travel to this gorgeous city (I’m irksomely a perennial pessimist), and before we left, Matt and I were so busy we hadn’t thought much about the trip (for shame, I know). Now that we are here, I am 100% in loooove.

We haven’t been so much culture-shocked (Matt grew up in the middle east) as weather shocked. Our poor Scottish-whitened skin and cold-sharpened lungs are still in quasi-shock over the feel of billowing Bosphorus breezes and temperatures roughly 20 degrees hotter than the hottest Scottish day ever on record.

I’ve Scott-ified so much that I don’t really own proper attire to wear here, and I haven’t wanted to shop because as a full-time UK resident these days, there are only about 2 days out of the year when I can comfortably sport bare-legs. Also, we’re here during Ramadan so I’ve tried to be respectful about baring too much in Istanbul even though it is a liberal Muslim country. I usually carry a scarf and socks in my purse whenever we are out and about (that long-skirt in the photo on the right was presented to me at the mosque):

Matt and I are hitting the touristy sites, but our main goal during our seven day stay is to eat as much delicious Turkish/Anatolian food as we possibly can — oh and also stock up on our vitamin D (we spend much of our days blinking in the sunlight and we can’t believe that foreign, golden orb thingy stays out all. day long! Amazing!).

What’s lovely about the food here is that it’s fairly healthy. You start your meal with a mix of cold salads (mezze: couscous, stuffed grape leaves, yogurt, spinach, roasted eggplant, etc.) and then move on to the meat. If you need to be gluten-free or vegan it would be a little tricky, but really not too bad. We’ve found it much easier to eat on a restrictive diet here than when in Paris.

We mainly just amble about and stop at wherever looks tasty (including any/all street food — seriously delicious!), but we got a ton of tips from a blog called EatingAsia. If you are planning a trip to Turkey or want to live vicariously through some delicious foodie times, do stop by.

Next up? Three days after we get back to Edinburgh, Cath comes for a visit. Could this summer get any better?

Hope you guys are having a wonderful time too, in whatever part of the world your gadding about in!

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Dear Kitcath,

I canNOT believe I get to see you IN PERSON in a week! Do you realize that? It’s Sunday! Next Sunday you’ll be on the right side of the pond! It’s difficult because as much as I’m loving Turkey, I really can’t wait for next week to get here.

Can’t wait to talk to you on skypie sooon!

Love,

Lar

p.s. You would love Istanbul, Kitcath, but I think it’s only fair that I mention there is a slight eau de Murcia every once in a while. The people here are much more friendly, and everything is beautiful, so that’s where the similarity ends. Still, every once in a while when the wind blows, I’m right back in Spain in 2003. Miss you!!!! xoxoxox