Antakya, Turkey
March was all about settling into my new home, slowly making it mine, and learning how to enjoy the process rather than rushing to the finish. After I’d established some stability, though, I got out of Istanbul for a quick and fabulous trip.
Best Of The Month
The best thing that happened to me this month was that I picked up an envelope-sized package at a tiny neighborhood post office. Inside was my renewed Turkish residency… with two year validity! I almost started dancing in the PTT, honestly. What a huge relief.
Istanbul, Turkey
At the end of the month, I went on a three-day culinary odyssey in Antakya, a laid-back city in the far south of Turkey that’s renowned for its exquisite food. Appropriately, we ate and ate and ate, took a break, and ate some more. I was pleasantly surprised to find wine bars and trendy coffee shops smattered throughout the city, plus a massive and mind-glowing archaeology museum. I’m already dreaming of a trip back.
Antakya, Turkey
Worst Of The Month
A lot of my work projects are wrapping up simultaneously, and realizing that I’ll be going back to hustling and worrying was a less-pleasant part of this month. After a low few days, though, I’m staying optimistic about whatever exciting stuff is to come.
Antakya, Turkey
What I’m Loving
Reads: I read 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, a fascinating non-fiction book that I’ve been eyeing for a few years now. I love books that let me learn, and there were so many interesting things I’d never been taught in this one that I kept gasping out loud. (Man, smallpox sucked.) I was particularly interested in the theories about khipu, or Incan rope writing.
Music: I know I linked to that Carys Matthews playlist last month, but it continues to be my soundtrack through this one. Some favorites from March: Ali Baba by John Holt, Roosevelt Blues by Lanu, Drink the Water by Animanz, and When I Leave Berlin by Wizz Jones.
Dolapdere, Istanbul, Turkey
TV/Film: FINALLY I finished watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and while that is bittersweet (and I can still go back to watch some episodes I skipped), it’s nice to be free of what was becoming an obsession.
Podcasts: My mom recommended the podcast Root of Evil, which is truly disturbing (and I haven’t finished the series yet) but fascinating. A family investigates their very twisted history, including a patriarch who likely committed the Black Dahlia murder.
I also loved the Unknown Soldier episode from 99% Invisible, about the Vietnam War’s very known unknown soldier.
Istanbul, Turkey
The Film Files
I shot some portraits for NADAS, where I’ve been working on a double exposure project. It’s such a pleasure to shoot straight forward portraits, especially of such radiant women!
Nadas Istanbul
Ephemera
This month was a good one for new hobbies. I took a sketchbook class at NADAS and slowly got better at drawing and painting scenes— staying home to work on watercolors is such a calm and fulfilling habit to have.
Also, Nacho and I started finally making beer, which is QUITE A PROCESS let me tell you, but hopefully will end in some boozy deliciousness very soon.
Antakya, Turkey
Upcoming
The best part of April is that my mom is coming!!! I can’t wait!
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