Kavarna Misto, Prague, Czech Republic
It’s the shortest month, sure, but whoa was this one jam-packed. I was in three different countries, spent time in Istanbul with a handful of very special visitors, and filled my days and nights with joyful adventures. Without further ado…
Sancaklar Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Best Of The Month
Sancaklar Cami is a modern concrete subterranean mosque on the meadowy outskirts of Istanbul, and I’ve been dying to go ever since I saw a picture of it 2.5 years ago. However, it’s waaaaay far away– it takes two and half hours on public transportation just to get there– and I’ve never been able to convince anyone to make the trek with me. Until this month! My darling friend Simone (from that beautiful Cappadocia trip) returned for a visit and we decided to visit the mosque. It was definitely worth it.
Prague, Czech Republic
Another highlight: returning to Prague. It’s one of the few cities in the world (along with Boston and Istanbul) that I’ve called home, and there’s such a sense of comfort and homecoming when I’m there. I found it delightful in more ways than I anticipated.
In both Prague and Berlin this month, I went on Context Travel tours, which let me learn about these cities in interactive and exciting ways: it added new layers to the old cities.
Hamburger Banhof, Berlin, Germany
Worst Of The Month
I pushed myself hard this month, trying to work as much as possible before my Central Europe trip and then exhausting myself there. I felt like there were too many days where I was just TIRED. Unfortunately this relentless pace is going to continue through March, so I am going to try to rest enough and focus on the many joys that are coming up.
Istanbul, Turkey
What I’m Loving
Reads: I’m reading Dubliners by James Joyce for my work book club. This is my first time returning to Joyce since reading Ulysses a few years back, which was incredibly beautiful and possibly the most difficult book I’ve read. Dubliners is certainly easier, but I don’t know if I’m that into Joyce.
I also read a book called The Georgian Feast in anticipation of an upcoming trip (see below). Pro-tip: don’t read books about delicious food when you’re hungry.
Music: I spent most of my time this month revisiting old favorites. Really, I just can’t stop listening to Hamilton. I’ve also been listening to a lot of jazz– Miles, Mingus, Cannonball Adderley and Horace Silver, among others.
Movies: I saw the Revenant. It’s certainly not an uplifting rom-com. I like to imagine it’s what happens offstage in Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale after the famous stage direction (“Exit, pursued by a bear.”)
Happy Baristas, Berlin, Germany
The Film Files
I haven’t had a chance to develop my film from Prague and Berlin (I just got back!) but I did get pictures back from Sancaklar Mosque, and have decided that I should shoot more black and white. So that’s my goal for now, at least until the tulips come color the city.
Karakoy, Istanbul, Turkey
Ephemera
I’ve been slow writing about California. It’s coming, but life keeps getting in the way; I wish I was better at writing blog posts in a more timely way. It’s a constant goal.
I tried a new-ish Moroccan restaurant in Moda called Marakes Mum, which was delicious. It’s unusual to find restaurants in Istanbul that aren’t Turkish or non-specifically modern-trendy, so it’s a treat to have an actual different cuisine so close to my apartment.
My friend Amanda wrote about the photoshoot we did on her blog… Let me know if you’re coming to Istanbul and interested in doing something like this!
Berlin, Germany
Upcoming
This weekend, I’m returning to Tbilisi! I’ll spend a long weekend in Georgia with two of my girlfriends, drinking all the wine and eating all the dumplings. Then later I’ll return to Athens for my annual work trip, and hopefully visit Meteora while I’m there. (I’m looking forward to April, when I can spend more of my weekends in Istanbul again.) And someday, I’ll sleep!
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