Losing Weight in Turkey
"Who woulda thunk?!"
With all the super sweet, super fattening food in Turkey, you would think I would have gained weight after a visit to Istanbul. But no! I lost weight. Lots of it. I couldn't stand any of the food, especially after seeing them prepare it.
Sugar to the Turkish is like rice to Asians. They simply have to put it in everything, in copious amounts. Don't be deceived by that bowl of porridge above, it is deadly! When I popped a turkish delight into my mouth thinking that this is going to be really delightful since the kids in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe liked them so much, I literally threw it up seconds after popping it into my mouth. It's that sickeningly sweet!
And hey, I consider myself pretty game for any food ... but I really don't want to see any more pilaf anything, no more candied fruit, no more bean or grain-based desserts, and please no more milk puddings!!!
Turkish Delights
by Nomadic Penguin
Dusty, dirty, dangerous. For years, the only source of information I had for Turkey was from the media, and sad to say, most of the reports were about bombings. So, the place should naturally be chaotic. Strangely enough, the news did not stop me from planning a trip there. And I am glad I went last winter (2006).
Before the trip, I was completely drained by work. However, the cool winter air had freshened me up, and it was a nice surprise to see the clean street and friendly people. Not a single trace of terrorism found.
The Turkish are very curious about dark-haired Asians. If you are an Asian and yearn to be a super star, Turkey will be the right place for you. Walking down the street, it’s not uncommon that people got excited and start to smile and wave at us. If they happen to have a camera with them, the cacophony of firing shutters can be frightening. When it came to the kids on excursions, their teachers had a hard time stopping them from crowding around us and just staring.
To the Turkish, anyone who looks Asian has to be from Japan. Thus, a non-Japanese may have to spend some time explaining where they are from. Still, their conversations will always begin with “Konichiwa” and end with “Sayonara”.
Before the trip, I had come across the sema (whirling dervishes) a ritual of the Mevlevi sect, in one of the Jacky Chan’s movie. The scene was magnificent. It is a serious religious ritual for the Mevlana to seek communication with God. During the ritual, the priests will dress in a white robe and wear a tall black hat. When they spin, their right arms extend upwards to the heaven, and the left arms pointing to the earth. This is to signify once the priests receive God’s grace, they at once distribute it to the congregation. The synchronized swirling movements help the priests to concentrate. During the ritual, audiences are supposed to keep silent and no photography is allowed. The palapable energy released was awesome.
Besides its exotic culture, Turkey has many beautiful landscapes. One that left me with the greatest impression was Cappadocia.
Three million years ago, the eruptions of Mt. Ercives and Mt. Hasan left the surrounding plateau covered with tuff. Through the years, wind and weather have molded the soft volcanic rock into strangely shaped pillars, cones and “fairy chimneys”, with shade from pink, yellow to russet browns.
One good but expensive way to experience Cappadocia is to take the hot air balloon tour. The trip costs US$180 per person, it took us a long time before we decided to give it a try. However, looking at the different formations from above, the experience is worth the price. Well, after all, how often do we get a chance to view the peaks of those enormous natural formations?
During my 10 days trip in Turkey, the only complaint I had was the food was too sweet. Especially the desserts, it seems like all of them were soaked in sugar syrup for years (!!) before they were served. Desserts are supposed to be my favourite food, but I gave up trying any more Turkish delights just after two meals.
Time flew on the trip and ended abruptly but leaving us great memories. I have always believed that seeing is believing, and the Turkey trip once again proved me right. If I have not realised the long planned trip last year, Turkey will always remain a dusty, dirty and dangerous country.
So now the obvious question is, where will be my next destination?