Artipelag, Stockholm, Sweden
I had the first half of May to live my Istanbul life before everything accelerated for the second half. The month, unsurprisingly, flew by. And as I post this, I’m now in Zanzibar!
Stockholm, Sweden
Best Of The Month
During the Istanbul half of my month, three of my favorite former Istanbullus returned to the city. Emma stayed with me while Natalie and Patrizia happened to pop into the city around the same time. Spending time with all of them filled me with that special glow you get with friends who know your soul.
Then I left Turkey to meet my family in Sweden and Latvia. Stockholm is lovely, our picnic by the water at sunset was a clear highlight, as was spending time with my awesome sister and frolicking in the lilacs. And in Riga, I got to introduce my family to the various ex-USSR cuisines I love (Russian, Georgian, Uzbek) and watching them enjoy that was one of my favorite things.
Karakoy, Istanbul, Turkey
Worst Of The Month
This month was full of too many good things; by the end, I was completely exhausted. Combined with some minor personal things to deal with and the looming stress of Turkey’s resident permit system, I was ready to hide under my covers for a long time by the end of May.
Artipelag, Stockholm, Sweden
What I’m Loving
Reads: I read the book Border by Kapka Kassabova, and I think it’s my favorite thing I’ve read so far this year. It deals with the borders, both historic and current, between Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece; the author grew up in communist Bulgaria so draws from her personal experience, while also weaving in so much magic. It was mesmerizing.
Music: I made a playlist with lots of good stuff on it for May (like Childish Gambino!), I think you’ll enjoy it.
Film/TV: My sister and I watched the Beatles Anthology documentary while we were in Sweden; it’s probably the first time I’ve seen it since it was originally broadcast in 1995. We enjoyed it, though the early episodes drag with too many live performances.
Stockholm, Sweden
Podcasts: I listened to a lot of great podcasts and episodes this month, including a big listening splurge on my way back from Sweden. Two episodes I particularly loved were Curb Cuts from 99% Invisible— about the activist Ed Roberts, who helped make the necessity of a slope off a curb an issue throughout the US— and Unraveling Bolero from Radiolab, about obsession and dementia.
I also binged on the first two seasons of The Thread. I preferred season 1, which traced the thread of history from John Lennon’s murder back to Vladimir Ilyich Lenin— from Lennon to Lenin. It was great.
Artipelag, Stockholm, Sweden
The Film Files
I shot and developed so much interesting film this month, including some Lomochrome Purple and Volvox film in Sweden. I finished off another double exposure roll, though many of the pictures didn’t work as well as I had hoped. I also got some pictures back that I shot on my toy Holga that came out really well. I’m planning a bit of a photo project, which will hopefully kick off soon.
Riga, Latvia
Ephemera
Alice Coltrane is so cool, why don’t more people talk about her? A badass accomplished musician who continued to make innovative and excited music even after the death of her famous husband. I’m hooked.
Artipelag, Stockholm, Sweden
Upcoming
June’s adventures start with the place I’m in right now— Zanzibar! On the way back, I’ll stop in Muscat, Oman. And over the course of the month, I’ll also be in Ankara, Kas, and Boston. Here we go!
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