A Kurdish family in the city of Şanlıurfa kindly hosted me. The mother prepared this dish called ashure, which I’m not sure if it’s to celebrate or to mourn. I think it’s celebratory food because it’s a wholesome hot porridge that feels fuzzy on these cold days. It’s with fruits and nuts and grains and sugar, which sounds like peak comfort food. Mourning because I was just in Iran on the 2nd and 3rd of November, which is when Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Husayn. It has a very similar name: day of Ashura. I was in Orumiyeh back thenContinue reading
Hitchselfie: Gaziantep to Hatay/Antakya/Antioch (Turkey)
I hitchhiked from Gaziantep – also known as Antep – to Hatay in Turkey. But Hatay is also known as Antakya and Antioch. Which version should I even write down on my cardboard hitchhiking sign? Speaking of signs, somewhere at the on-ramp of the highway, I took this hitchselfie next to a road sign. I really like the composition in this photo. The sign says that this is a highway and that one shouldn’t walk, cycle, ride a horse cart, or a tractor from this sign onward. I’m super neat, so I’m not walking beyond the sign. When a car eventuallyContinue reading
Wish Tree at Göbekli Tepe (Şanlıurfa, Turkey)
I’m not the superstitious kind, but I do love a wish tree every now and then. When walking around at the archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe (close to Şanlıurfa in Turkey) I found one and did what anyone in need of a portion of good luck would do: get a piece of fabric, tie it somewhere on the tree and make a wish. My driver took this nice photo for me. My wishes are quite predictable. The other time I made a wish at a wish tree in Tbilisi, Georgia, it actually came true for both me and my friend.Continue reading
Hitchhiking from Lake Van to Batman, Turkey
When hitchhiking out of Van, I had to thumb my way around Lake Van (Van Gölu). I’m on my way to Batman. Why? I don’t know, it sounds like a funny place. I don’t want to study ever again, but Batman University does pique my curiosity. Hitchhiking around such a huge body of water is also a good time. It’s incredibly beautiful here, though it’s cold. I’m very happy with my spanking new leggings from Iran. They’re really thick and have an inner layer that’s made of fleece. Fashionable and warm! While waiting for a ride nearby the ferry toContinue reading
Iran to Turkey by Hitchhiking: A World Apart
Though I’ve already been back in Turkey for two days, I’m still getting used to things once again. Just across the border from Iran to Turkey in Van, the mosques look different and the mountain peaks are snowier! The crossing from Persian to Ottoman architecture is actually much starker than expected. Especially considering there’s Ottoman architecture in tons of places outside of Turkey. Pictured is the Sobacı Hamit Yörük Mosque in Van. I arrived in Van at night, so all I could see were the elaborate neon lights upon entering the city. Seeing Van in daylight is a much better experience,Continue reading
The Van Cat Sanctuary (Van, Turkey)
When my hosts in Van told me that there’s a Van cat sanctuary, I knew I had to visit. The Van Cat is a special type of cat that hails from this area around Lake Van in Turkey. They have a white coat and often have one blue eye and one green one. This place is like a sanctuary for these cats, which are quite rare in the world and need extra protection. As I understood it, they’re here for protection and local heritage, not breeding. Back on the Isle of Man, I visited the Manx Society for the PreventionContinue reading
100% Islamic Beer
When drinking #dutch beer in #Iran that is a solid 0.0% alcohol. (at Jangal Sisangan)
Directions to Mecca
Every mosaferkhaneh (cheap sketchy hotel) in Iran gave you directions to #Mecca. (at Iran Urmiye)
Iranian Textbook
English study book for #Farsi speakers in #Zanjan #Iran.