#but again Turkey is very used to tourists and it’s easy to just enjoy your time no matter where you are

[yugiohz]

Hello! what’s ur fave thing to do in turkey / places u recommend to visit? i think i’ll be going soon to vacation n i really vibe w ur opinions :3

hiiii, to be honest most of turkey is really beautiful, but i think the most popular tourist spots are on the west coast ( my family lives there so I’m mostly only in that corner djjsjdjd). cesme is really really nice (very beautiful esp alacati but def got more expensive over the years), bodrum is another tourist spot for young people who wants to go to beach clubs every day (def cheaper than cesme), antalya is the biggest tourist spot but I don’t rlly relax there it’s always very full and mostly family-oriented, otherwise Istanbul is obviously also nice :)

honestly as long as a spot feels safe and you’re careful not to get scammed I think you can have a great time anywhere in Turkey, most people are very nice and helpful, the food is bomb, and every area has at least one good live music bar

[nakedmossy]

Golden Hour ☼

A Triple Frontier Story - Part 1/?

Word Count: 3.1k

Summary: Molly [reader] has been living on the beaches of Mexico for the last 3 years since being honourably discharged from the army and leaving her fiance back in Texas. Riddled with PTSD, she went on a bender, ending up in a small coastal farming town in the Yucatan. Forced into early retirement despite being the best sniper in her company and all the trauma that came with that responsibility, she has worked hard to obtain peace in her new life. She was closer than ever to fully achieving it, that is, until her ex-crew member and lifelong friend, Will Miller, showed up with a proposition to bring her out of retirement for one last job with the boys. -----------------------------

The sun was hovering around the horizon, beating down on the beach as the water lapped the shore. You rolled the dirty cup around in the dishwater absentmindedly, scrubbing the dried coffee off the sides, letting your hands soak. It had been an easy day, a 5am rise for a morning surf, a bike ride to the market to pick up some fruit, and a mid day Dive to a wreck site with some tourists. All-in you had pocketed around $50, including tips, and a complimentary phone number from the bachelor who had tried to frisk you while you filled the tanks on the dock. It would get you enough food to last through to the weekend, and if it didn't, well, you could always call the bachelor tourist for dinner.

You were caught up in a daydream when you heard something rolling in through the bush, the sounds of the studded tires reverberating off of the rock and palm trees, the sand and jungle brush cracking and moving, the dull hum of the engine. You tipped your head closer to the window over the sink to see a slick black motorbike come to a stop near your hitch, a large muscular figure hooking his helmet on the handlebar before jumping off and walking towards your trailer door. Your hand hovered over the sidearm you kept loaded on your kitchen counter.

“Hey Sweet Cheeks” The voice shouted, the silhouette keeping its arms and hands visible.

Your stomach dropped. No way. The voice belonged to the boy who had pinched your ass as a kid, annoyed your ass as a teen, saved your ass as a new recruit in the army, and more than once grabbed your ass at the bar while you squeezed your ass into a tight dress. You froze for a moment before you looked out your window and saw him standing at your trailer door, waiting.

You opened it abruptly, swinging it hard enough that it hit the side of the trailer with a loud clank. You kept your arm out to keep it wide, surveying the sight in front of you with a shocked expression, your chest rising and falling in shallow, tight breaths of disbelief. He did the same, his eyes travelling up from your bare feet, along your tanned legs, to your jean shorts and your braless tank top, all the way to your shaded eyes.

“Will Miller” You spoke, his name like a muscle memory in your mouth. “What the fuck are you doing here.”

You took three long seconds before you smiled, then you practically jumped out of your trailer and into his arms, your legs wrapping around his waist, laughing uncontrollably in surprise and excitement. He squeezed you tight, one hand around your hips, the other on the back of your head, compressing you into his muscular frame. He let out a low growl of contentment while he nuzzled his head into your hair.

“Good to see you Molly” He mumbled.

You squeezed him with as much strength as you could muster before he let you slide down, your feet hitting the sand below. You brought a hand up to shade your eyes, the sun beaming directly in your eyes from behind his shoulder. You knew his face like the back of your hand, you had grown up with it chasing after you with spiders and nerf guns, then spent 10 years in active service being chased by cockroaches and real guns. You hadn’t seen him since you moved to Mexico.

“What are you doing here, man!” You laughed, you couldn’t stop smiling. He hadn’t changed at all, aside from a few new laugh lines around his mouth. His smile was reserved as usual, but unabashed.

“Oh, you know….I was in the area” He winked and looked around, snickering. Your end of the beach was cut off to tourists and hardly even accessible to locals. You weren’t even sure how they got a trailer there in the first place. It was as visibly remote as you could get in the Yucatan these days.

“How did you…find me here?” You watched him watching you closely, like he was looking for something.

“A local kid working at the market. I asked for directions to the little local Turkey with yellow hair and he practically drove me here himself.” He grinned with mischief and dodged my hand as I smacked him. “He seemed to know who I was, too.” He looked at you expectantly, which made you giggle to yourself.

Your friends son, Erik, was one of the few kids who spoke clean English and visited often. You had helped him with his math tests last year and he had agreed to cut you firewood for a year. He had seen the picture of you and your crew in your trailer and demanded stories around the fire every time he came by. He asked about Will the most.

“I can’t believe you’re here right now.” You said, stricken with shock again and unable to gather yourself. “Whats it been…2, 3 years?”

“2 years and 5 months” Will said quietly, smiling at you. “You look younger somehow”

“Yeah, well, that’s the tequila and the saltwater for ya. Stick me back in Iraq and strap a rifle on my chest, ill age 10 years in front of your very eyes”

Will nodded with a knowing smile and looked around, checking out your decaying trailer and old truck, his eyes settling on the boat overturned on the beach, which you were in the midst of patching and doing engine maintenance on.

You shared a quiet moment together, taking each other in, before he smiled again and open his arms for another hug. “Come’ere kid”

He squeezed you again and this time found your butt, pinching it.

“Fucki-OUCH” You wailed, pulling away and smacking his chest. He laughed like a little boy and bounced away a step, stretching his arms and sighing, relaxed.

“So,” You said after a few moments of silence, before stepping back and pacing in a half circle once. “You want a drink?”

He smiled at you and you felt your head spin. It was the same familiar smile he used to give you when you were kids and you couldn’t reach something or you needed his help lifting something. Not patronizing, just…pleasantly amused.

“Yeah, a drink would be nice.”

“Grab a chair, i’ll be right back” You motioned to the seats surrounding the fire pit that was on the edge of the sand. He turned and walked towards them and you felt your chest tighten. You could never calm down when he was around, staring at you, his physical presence was overwhelming. Even still, after all this time. After everything that had happened in the war, your breath caught when he smiled.

When you came back out with two glasses of bourbon, neat, he had his feet perched toe to heel and was leaning back, enjoying the view of the ocean.

“Pretty okay view to wake up to” You said, handing him his drink. You saluted each others glasses and he smiled, looking back out at the water.

“Unreal. I wouldn’t leave.”

“I don’t” You winked.

“So how did you end up here anyways” He took a drink and savoured it, balancing the glass on the armrest.

You took a long, deep breath and leaned back in your chair before exhaling quickly and looking around.

“I came down after Pete and I.…after I left. He took the house, I took…my shit, and I split.” You laughed bitterly, rubbing your eyebrow. “I don’t know. I went rogue for a bit and woke up here one morning after a bender, just never left.”

Will was quiet for a few moments, considering what you said, before speaking.

“Did things end badly - with Pete?” He was watching you intently.

You held his gaze boldly, amidst your discomfort regarding the topic, your face a blank canvas.

“No” You lied, forcing a smile.

His eyes narrowed slightly but he looked back at the water and took another drink.

“What’re you doing to make money?”

“Lots. Pole dancing, escorting. Selling drugs.”

You were mostly kidding about the last part, but you had sold a couple bags of weed to some of the local teenagers after you found out they were buying it from the cartel - trying to keep their names out of the streets as long as you could before they inevitably got recruited.

He was looking at you again, his face dark now, a shadow of the light hearted kid you had gone to prom with.

“Seriously, Mol. What are you doing down here.”

“Getting interrogated apparently. Calm down, Ironhead. Nothing illegal.” But when he didn’t budge you continued “Im a Dive Master, I take tourists out to some of the reefs every couple of days to pay the rent, and I help out at some of the farms on the off season.”

Half satisfied by your half answers he swirled his drink and took a sip.

“Enough about me, care to explain what you’re doing down here? Turning up at sundown like an old friend?” You watched him closely, observing his posture, noticing the hilt of his sidearm poking out the side of his t-shirt.

“Working” He said bluntly, returning your snarky smile with an equally shaded answer. “Recruiting.”

Your breath caught in your throat and you sat deeper in your chair, unbelieving how crassly he was owning up.

“Unbelievable. Just right down to business eh? You turn up here after 2 years, sorry, 2 years and 5 months and you don’t have the courtesy to wait 10 minutes before you pull this shit? No.” You said firmly. “No. Im retired."

He nodded, then leaned forward and downed the rest of his drink, placing the glass at his feet and resting his elbows on his knees. He watched you with such an intensity that you shifted in your seat and looked away.

“Mol, look at me.”

You sneered and looked at him, your hat shading your eyes from the setting sun, but barely.

“Its a 2 day job at most. 1 day and a single shot if we’re clean-”

“No” You cut him off, leaning forward to stand up.

“Its 5 million USD” He said quickly, stopping you from walking away. “Each.”

You took a deep breath and waited, considering sitting back down. You stayed standing. You tilted your head to the side and lifted your hand to your mouth.

“Who” You said quietly, not wanting to give him the impression you were seriously considering it.

“Juarez.”

You choked you had laughed so hard and so quick. You sat down abruptly on the edge of your chair, looking at him like he had two heads.

“No way. Not a chance. Are you kidding?”

He said nothing, just watched you and raised his eyebrows, the words ‘5 million’ written across his forehead like a banner. When it was clear he wasn’t joking you leaned forward, matching his posture, ducking your head down until you had his eyes squared with yours.

“Listen to me. There’s dangerous, there’s what we did in the army, and then there’s that.” You waited for a reaction that never came. You pressed on. “Will, I have been down here for 3 years. Living, working, fucking with these people. Juarez isn’t just a cartel boss who cuts fingers off and mails them to the victims kids on their birthdays. He systematically brings down monarchies. He beheads children. That man is a fucking monster.”

Will sat firm, his jaw set, not breaking eye contact. He was challenging you, as he had a million times before, only this time neither of you were in uniform and both of you had level playing ground. He wasn’t your superior officer, and you weren’t his sniper.

“We’ve dealt with worse.” He said finally.

You broke eye contact and looked at your bare feet planted in the sand, your tanned skin smooth and warm. No scars, no combat boots, no dust. Freedom. What you had worked for your whole life.

“Its 5 million, Mol. One target, one shot. Nothing more. Freedom for the rest of your life.”

“I already have that. Look around” You put your arms out, the whole of the beach and your paradise encapsulated in them, rage tickling under your skin. “5 million aint worth giving this up, 5 billion wouldn’t even be.”

He looked around and back at your trailer, at the rusting metal and the fraying tarps, before setting his gaze on your arm, on the scar that ran up it, and finally back to your eyes.

“Hows the Physio down here.” He said darkly. “Your off season farm job’s health insurance covering it?”

You flinched like he had hit you, your eye flickering as the memory of the bullet cutting through your arm and shattering the bone blazed like fire in your peripheries.

“Fuck you, Will.” You said finally, your voice cracking when you said his name. You stood up and pushed past him, walking towards your trailer. Subconsciously you held your arm and rubbed it, the phantom pain lingering. The deep and permanent damage had bothered you every day since you obtained the injury 6 years ago, on one of the last missions you had done with Will and the crew before they retired.

“Molly” Will grabbed your arm from behind, pulling you to a stop, and you winced. Not from pain, more from recognition. “Im sorry” He said intently, his eyes searching yours.

“I can’t” You said finally, your posture strong and your eyes set. You were still muscular and built like you were in active duty, but so was Will. “Even if I wanted to - I can’t.”

Will took a step closer, his breath almost on your face now.

“Why not” He pushed.

“Because” You spit back at him “I can’t use a scope. Or Binoculars. My heads fucked up.”

Wills eyebrows knit together and he looked over your head with his gaze, face taught with confusion.

“What’you mean?”

You shrugged and licked your bottom lip, looking away from his prying eyes.

“I had an accident a few years ago. I got a concussion that fucked with my equilibrium, haven’t been able to use binoculars or a scope properly since.”

You took a breath and straightened your back, setting your jaw. If he was going to play hard ass, then so were you. Fuck his intimidation tactics, you had learned how to deal with those in elementary school. He would have to try harder.

“Service?”

You shook your head, your lips pursed.

“After I left”

“What happened?”

Your eye flickered again, the memory of Pete attacking you and knocking you down a flight of stairs, your head cracking off the banister, still as fresh as if it happened yesterday.

“I fell.”

Will, visibly agitated now, shifted his weight to his other foot. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I don’t know, probably because I didn’t expect you to come down here and try to recruit me to whack the leader of my neighbourhoods biggest cartel?”

“Mol, im your friend, you shou-“ He started, but you backed up, shaking your head.

“Oh yeah? And where have you been? Last time I checked a prerequisite for friendship was checking in once in a fucking blue moon.”

Will bared his teeth in frustration and took a deep breath, looking down at his feet with his hands on his hips.

“Was it Pete?”

You didn’t answer, which was answer enough. Will’s hands covered his face and he groaned audibly, rubbing them into his hair in frustration.

“Molly. I have like 5 minutes left in me before I pull the fuse line to your propane, light a match, and drag your ass out of here on the back of my fucking bike. Come for drinks. Hear us out. Please.”

“Us?”

“They’re all here, waiting at the bar.”

You shook your head, smiling bitterly. Of course they were.

“There are better soldiers out there. Better snipers out there. Go recruit one of them.”

“Not true. You never missed a shot.”

“I missed once” You started, your voice lowering reflexively. “And you know what shot I missed.”

He held your eyes as the memory lingered in the air between you, the sound of the bullet hitting the body of the child behind your target would be something you took to your grave. It haunted every minute of every day.

“Molly, come on. Look at you. You’re living in a dump trailer with a half broke boat and a fucking peddle bike. You’re better than this and you know it.”

“Im not better than shit. Don't feed me that 'we were warriors' crap. I was a girl who was good with a gun, and I killed people. And now i'm broken. Thats the truth."

“MOL, I NEED YOU-” He yelled now, his hand shaking. The outburst took you off guard and you stepped back, your face slack. Will grabbed his hand and rubbed it, turning around and sighing deeply before facing you again. “Molly, I need you to hear us out. Come have a drink in town, listen to Pope’s plan. Please.”

You were still on guard from his outburst but you closed your mouth, your eyes dropping to his hand, which still shook lightly. PTSD was a tricky motherfucker.

You blinked silently a few times before raising your eyes to his again, a silent moment of recognition passing between you. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t seriously asking for help, and the rest of the crew wouldn’t be waiting if there wasn’t already a good plan in place.

“They’re all here? Redfly?”

Will nodded, his jaw tight.

“Fine” You said then, swallowing your pride and knowing you would regret it. “One drink.”

“One drink” Will repeated, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

“But Will,” You interrupted his budding smile and took a step so your faces were close again. “I wasn’t joking. Im not the shot I used to be. If we do the Recon and I tell you I can’t do it, that’s it. Im out. Full stop.”

Will blinked a few times as his eyes drifted down your face to your mouth and back up, his eyebrow twitching.

“I understand, Mol” was all he replied.

----

[liloelsagranger]

Night shift - Chapter 2 (Rocketshipping)

Chapter 2:

The whip already raised for use, Jessiebelle reared up in front of James, who was cowering on the floor all intimidated. “Where have you been? Do you realize how worried I was?” She swung the whip and gave James a blow. James cried out in pain, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He knew that this little excursion into freedom would have consequences. Today Jessiebelle carried out the punishment with her favourite tool and throttled her fiancé without batting an eye.

“You have to be chastised, otherwise you might get ideas and leave me, and we both don’t want that, right James?”

The young man was trembling with pain. He grabbed his arm with the gaping wound. Sometimes he wanted to die, sometimes he wanted to leave this world, thoughts that had plagued him since he was a child. But the urge to be free and to be able to live his own life had prevented him from doing anything stupid until then and thinking of the waitress Jessie gave him new hope. Another lash!

“Please, Jessiebelle, stop!” he pleaded. “I’ve learned my lesson, I’ll never sneak away again, but please, have mercy!” Tears streamed down his face. Jessiebelle knelt beside her fiancé and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

“This is the only way you will learn to be obedient and please your future wife. Sometimes you have to take harsher measures to open someone’s eyes to how much love is involved here. I love you, James,” she breathed into his ear. James cried bitter tears. If this is love, what does abysmal hatred feel like?

She left him crouching on the floor, alone in his pain and thick tears of despair. James was breathing heavily, he could barely move, but he had a mission and nothing and no one, certainly not Jessiebelle’s abuse would stop him. With the last of his strength, he tried to get to his feet, left the torture cellar and sank into his pillow, tired and exhausted. Tomorrow night he would see her again, Jessie. He imagined her smile, her sapphire blue eyes, and slipped into a fitful sleep.

The day dragged on endlessly. James counted the hours until he could sneak out through the service exit. When evening came, he waited for the right moment to dismiss the property. The servants covered him, they were on his side and could no longer watch this tragedy of a relationship.

“I hope the wound heals quickly, James. This tincture is a recipe from my grandmother, it is supposed to work wonders. Look how Jessiebelle is ruining you. You are a shadow of your former self.” Maria became quite emotional at the sight of those deep cuts. She had cared for James since he was a little boy every time his parents were traveling the world again. Seeing him like this, abused, beaten and mistreated, broke her heart. James put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, Maria. There’s someone worth living for,” he put on a weak smile. “And I really need to see her,” he pressed on the tourniquet and disappeared into the night.

As James walked along the Strip, he noticed the many carnies and performers. Some were painting portraits of the tourists; others were juggling ten balls at once. Others sang and played music and thrilled the guests with little show acts. It wasn’t long before James spotted Ash, who was holding the crowd spellbound with his Pikachu. He had many tricks up his sleeve and his little Pokémon was exceptionally well trained. They were a welded team and impressed the audience with a fantastic interlude consisting of various electric attacks that Pikachu was capable of. The crowd went wild, applauded and cheered. The coins were already jingling, the bills flowing. James wanted to do more than one good deed today and secretly put a hundred-Pokédollar bill in Ash’s hat. With it, he and his friends could enjoy a delicious dinner at the Diner. Ash could hardly believe his eyes when he fished the large bill out of his hat. His mouth was open, never had he received so much tip before. His gaze wandered through the audience and stuck to James.

“Hey! Aren’t you the guy who was at the Diner last night?” he asked him. James nodded his head. “Wow! What happened to your face? Where did you get that black eye?” Ash wondered. Should James tell him a tall tale or come clean with the truth? He didn’t know this boy at all and honestly, he didn’t want to hang his private life on the big bell.

“Work accident,” James replied. Ash nodded his understanding and stowed the big money in his pocket. He had no idea that his sponsor was standing right in front of him.

“Are you coming by today? Fridays are fish day, you’ll miss out on the tastiest salmon and sea food if you don’t show up later.”

That’s when it slipped out of James’ mouth. “Is Jessie having a night shift tonight?” It was so foolish, he felt pretty stupid. What kind of impression did this make on young Ash? The boy grinned maliciously.

“Jessie is at the Diner every single night, trying to keep herself and that place afloat, it takes hard work, but she’s up to any problem. So yeah, she’ll be there. Why?”

James blushed to the roots of his hair. “Oh nothing, she just served me very well.” James shrugged it off, but one question still burned on his mind. “This man, who works with her at the Diner. Is that her boyfriend?” Ash laughed out loud.

“You mean Eddy? He’s ace. All he wants are close and deep friendships, but nothing more. A hug is still in, but not a step further. You don’t have to worry about him but let me give you some good advice. Give Jessie some space and don’t press her. Life wasn’t always easy for her.” Ash packed up his paraphernalia and disappeared down a dark side street.

Late in the evening, James hardly dared to show up at the Diner. He was visibly nervous and couldn’t quite explain to himself why. Of course, he was happy to see Jessie again and to enjoy her first-class service, to feel her warm smile on his skin. On the other hand, he didn’t want her to see him maltreated like that. But when he entered the restaurant, the atmosphere was really tense. He discovered the large bouquet of flowers that he had secretly sent her, but Jessie seemed to be anything but pleased about it. He approached the waitress and overheard snippets of conversation that made him shudder. Turning to Eddy, she showed her best friend the small note James had enclosed. “He’s trying to suck up again, that lousy guy! Signs it with a friggin J. Like I wouldn’t guess it’s that assface of Jack’s who’s supposedly trying to make up with me. Throw this bouquet in the trash can right now, Eddy! Get it out of my sight!” she commanded. This action had gone completely wrong. But how could James have known that Jessie’s ex-boyfriend’s name started with a J, too? He put a hand on her shoulder and Jessie immediately winced. “Oh, it’s you. Sorry, I didn’t see anyone enter de Diner. I’ll come right over and take your order.” She heaved a deep sigh, gave way to her anger, and kicked the trash can with all her might.

James had probably hit the wrong nerve. Now he felt all the more pathetic. He wanted to please Jessie with the bouquet and show his gratitude for the nice service, but this action was a shot in the foot.

The waitress was beside herself when she reached James’ table. Her hair was mussed, she rummaged in her apron for her tiny notebook to write down the incoming orders and could not concentrate on her guests. Something had to have happened, and James was trying to figure out how to help Jessie. It was his turn to ask her about her day. “Miserable, James. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong! But I don’t want to burden you with my stuff, I’m sure you have other things to worry about, judging by your eye…” James’ hand shot up. “I’ll get you cooling pads”, Jessie was overly attentive and James liked that feeling of being cared for by someone. There was no emotion in his relationship with Jessiebelle, except for pain and hatred. There could never be any question of love. It was an arranged engagement, and his parents didn’t care how much James suffered from Jessiebelle’s mannerisms. James wanted to offer Jessie all his attention in return, he wanted to listen to her, ask her how her day had been and talk for hours about trivial things that made him forget for a short time the strains of a botched relation.

“Here’s your coke and a turkey sandwich. Enjoy!” she forced herself to smile, but the day’s toil was gnawing away at her. James had to take the initiative. “Please, sit down for a minute. There aren’t many guests, you can certainly take a short break”, he offered her the seat next to him. She looked around, nodded wearily, and let herself sink into the chair. “What a day,” Jessie grabbed the menu card and fanned herself. He turned to her, eyeing her beautiful face, and straining to take in her every word. “Maybe you’ve already noticed, but the Strip is no place for rich snobs. Drunks and homeless people hang out here. Most of the guys who come to my Diner can’t even pay, so they charge me. Unfortunately, at the end of the month there is barely enough for the rent…and food must also be purchased. We work to the limit, staying open late to make a few Pokédollars, but it just doesn’t pay. Cassidy paid us a visit today. You remember? That broad from the newspaper? She threatened to kick us out, said she was going take the Diner away from us piece by piece. I just don’t know what to do, we barley make ends meet and we have far too few guests. What should I do? Oh, why am I talking to you, you have enough problems,” she buried her face in her hands and sighed. James stroked her cheek. He could have bought the Diner at the push of a button, but he didn’t want to be liked for his money, he wanted to be liked for who he was, the real him.

“Don’t hang your head, I could help you out after all. I don’t want a salary, a roof over my head and a warm sandwich in the evening is perfectly fine”, he smiled encouragingly at her. ‘And I can be closer to you,’ he didn’t say it out loud. She raised her head and looked at him questioningly. “What do you want in this shabby place? I’m sure you have better places to stay and besides, I really can’t pay you anything, we’re almost broke…”

James felt embarrassed. If only Jessie knew how much he wanted to escape the shackles of this terrible relationship. He wanted to be free, no matter what the cost. He wanted to have air to breathe, he wanted to laugh and have a zest for life, and that’s what he hoped to find at the Diner. With people who could show compassion, who responded to the needs of others, without batting an eye, were willing to offer a helping hand to even the most down-and-out creatures on the Strip. “You know, I have some idea about advertising and marketing. With just a piece of cardboard and my loud blabbermouth, I can double your customer base. Trust me,” he held out his hand to her and she took it. What tender, soft skin. So fragile. What have these hands had to endure? Cleaning, washing, cooking, tidying up. Such delicate hands must be protected, and James already knew how. He wished this handshake would never stop. For the first time he felt the perky waitress and it was overwhelming. A slight tug in his heart area told him where this journey would lead, and he hoped Jessie would be the destination. He had never felt so attracted to a woman before. She was different, she was a fighter that not even the worst news could wear out. For a brief moment, they looked at each other, smiling. No words were needed to describe the attraction between these two. They lost themselves in their gazes, even if it was only for a split second. Something blossomed between them, a tiny flame of hope, of forgetting and of new beginnings.

“I’m about to get out my violin and serve them a plate of spaghetti with meatballs,” Eddy murmured to one of their guests. “Yes, yes, our Jessie has sworn off love, but she seems to make a big and fat exception with James…” “Let there be fish for everyone! Let’s celebrate, my friends!” Ash rumbled into the Diner, followed by his two best mates, Misty and Brock. They immediately destroyed the intimate moment between Jessie and her new co-worker James. They both jumped up and tried to hide their blushes. Jessie cleared her throat. “Get to work, James! We don’t want to keep our guests waiting!”

[sixth-light]

The Taste of Home (Nile + team, gen, 1.2k)

A fic for the Nile Freeman week prompt “Nile + comfort”, liberally interpreted, and inspired by my post about Nile and the team doing Thanksgiving last week. In canon I fully expect that Booker and Quỳnh will be with them this far into the future, but I felt like doing a end-of-movie-team-only story, so...there we go. No major warnings, aside from a brief mention of canon-typical violence. 

Nile crossed the Canadian-US border into the country of her birth for the first time in six years, late one November – not nearly as cold as it should have been in New England this time of year, thanks, climate change – and realised that two days from now was going to be Thanksgiving.

Andy said “What’s that?” and Nicky said “I think it’s a feast day” and Joe said “Yes, the one with the turkey!” and Nile said “Have none of you spent any time in the US before?”

“Oh, plenty,” said Joe, shifting uncomfortably; they’d crossed the border in a rental car on a back road, relying on Copley’s instructions to avoid the drones and patrols, and there clearly wasn’t quite enough room in the back for his long legs. Andy was driving, of course, and the boys had graciously ceded Nile the front seat. She was tired, and hadn’t argued. “We were first here in – 1582?”

“That was Mexico, it’s not quite the same,” said Nicky. “More than a hundred years after that, for Nile’s lands.”

The three older immortals started bickering about what counted as the United States of America, exactly, before Nile said “Okay, okay. My point is – have none of you ever had Thanksgiving?”

She knew they weren’t picky about holidays, just not consistent; in her years with them they’d celebrated May Day and Eid al-Fitr and Saturnalia. It depended where they were, and what they were doing, and the moods that struck them. Nicky had come to church with her for three Christmases in a row, three different churches in three different countries, and then last year said simply “No, not this time, thank you.”

“I think we lifted some extra rations off an American army unit in Vietnam, one November,” said Andy. “Apart from that? No.”

“Where’s Copley got us this time?” Nile asked.

“A house,” said Nicky. “Rented. We are being tourists again, until we get our local identities organized.”

“There’s a few missions we could do. We’ll talk about it later,” said Andy. “I figured we’d take a week off first. Nothing’s on fire…that we can help with.”

“Most of California’s on fire, right now, but okay,” said Nile. “Okay.”

“You wanna do Thanksgiving, huh?” Andy glanced over at her, with a sharp smile that made Nile feel known, but not exposed.

“Can we help?” Joe asked from the back seat.

“Uh,” said Nile. “Let’s see.”

*

Nile had never done anything like a full Thanksgiving meal before, partly because until she’d been deployed her job had mostly been to wash dishes and keep some of her younger cousins from getting overexcited, and partly because there had been a strict family hierarchy of who got to cook what, and she hadn’t yet been invited to join it before – before.

She decided to keep it simple, the real classics; after all, there were only four of them. Turkey, definitely. Green bean casserole. Mac’n’cheese. Yams. Pumpkin pie. She was fully prepared to buy the pie crust, too – she knew her limits – but Nicky put his foot down on that, having had to endure the purchase of ready-made cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin, so she let him take care of it. 

Nicky was far and away the best cook of the other three, followed closely by Joe. Andy wouldn’t burn anything, but she just didn’t care enough to get creative. Nile had eaten a lot of re-heated soup when Andy was on cooking duty. Andy, Nile decided on the way back from the Big Y, was getting assigned to chop vegetables. 

The holiday cabin Copley had found for them was much more comfortable than where they’d been sleeping for the last three weeks – Nile was getting a bedroom to herself, a rare luxury –  but the kitchen was tiny, clearly intended for vacationers who weren’t the home-cooking type, and preparations spilled out onto the dining table. Nile had been half-hoping someone else would take over, unused to taking center stage for this, but they all looked to her for instructions and she did her best to rise to the occasion. She felt absurdly trusted.

The biggest problem would have been that both of the kitchen knives provided were absolutely terrible – Joe threw them aside, saying “No, and no” – except, what was she thinking, her family traveled armed to the teeth at all times. Andy chopped yams with a knife Nile was ninety percent sure she’d seen her gut someone with. She forcibly decided not to think about it.

“Don’t worry, this one’s new,” said Andy. “I have standards.”

“Uh-huh,” said Nile. She could hear Nicky chuckling behind her as he worked on the pie crust.

“I do!”

“Do you think these are halal?” Joe asked, holding up the bag of marshmallows.

“Wait, probably not,” said Nile. “Never mind, we can leave them out.”

“I didn’t want to criticize,” said Nicky, “but I didn’t think they were going to go very well with the pie.”

“They’re for the yams,” said Nile.

“The yams are for the sweet course as well?”

“No, they’re part of the main.”

“Put them in, I just won’t eat the yams,” said Joe, tossing the bag at her. “This is your holiday.”

“You eat marshmallows with the turkey?” Nicky said, his voice noticeably rising. “That is – that is very interesting.”

“My holiday, my rules,” Nile retorted.

“Yes, ma’am,” Joe said, and winked.

*

By the time everything was prepped, they were all ready to lie down on the couch for a bit; unfortunately, the couch wasn’t that big, so Nicky took one end, Joe stretched out with his head in Nicky’s lap, Nile compromised by wedging herself under Joe’s feet, and Andy just spread-eagled herself on the floor with a cushion from the armchair under her head.

“You could take the armchair,” said Joe, clearly enjoying his overlordship of the largest piece of furniture.

“No,” said Andy, who Nile had learned was mildly allergic to furniture. “This is better.”

“Someone give me the remote,” Nile said. “It’s football time.”

Joe perked up noticeably at that, and noticeably sagged when Nile found ESPN. “Oh. American football.” Nicky poked him in the shoulder. “Ow.”

“So,” Nicky said. “We eat all the food, and then…?”

“Then we watch some more football,” said Nile. “And before we eat, we say what we’re thankful for.”

“Huh,” said Nicky. “Okay. That’s easy.”

“Now?” Andy asked. “Or right before we eat?”

“Right before,” said Nile, which didn’t stop Andy saying “Because you know what I’m grateful for right now? Carpet.”

“That’s terrible.” Nile threw the other cushion at her. “You have about an hour to come up with something better.”

Joe was obviously composing a speech in his head already, drumming his fingers against his thigh. Nile decided not to interrupt him.

“And that’s it?” Nicky persisted. “There’s nothing else you need, for this to be Thanksgiving?”

Nile had half-expected, when they’d been in the supermarket, that this was going to turn out to be a terrible idea, make her homesick all over again, like the Christmas three years ago when she’d come home from church with Nicky – they’d been in Germany at the time – and cried into Nicky’s shoulder for an hour, soggy and miserable, while Joe brought her mulled wine and Andy dropped a box of tissues in her lap.

But it wasn’t like that at all. There was a good meal cooking; she was warm and safe and content; this wasn’t the family she’d grown up with, the one she would always miss, but they’d spent today telling her they loved her with every chopped vegetable and half-serious complaint.

“Nah,” Nile said. “I got everything I need. Thanks for asking.”

[mrshenrycavill23]

A Dream To Remember✨

#1 Destiny

“This is the view I’d die for” I said as I saw the beautiful beach that I could see when I opened my window. I had been to Antalya before but this time it hit different. I was a teenager back then, and so much had changed over the years. I got a full time job in a reputable firm, moved out of my city, and spent 5 years in Zurich working for the firm I had always wanted to. But I was always alone, mainly because of my brutal experiences with love and relationships in late teens and early twenties.

And also because I never really found someone that would make my heart melt, I always partly blame my fangirl period for that when I used to be a social media ‘stan’ for Henry Cavill, now that I think of it, never really found anyone like him and now I’m just void of it all. I’m used to living alone now. I really was never into flings. My only focus is my career, and travelling.

“Can you stop staring out of your window (y/n)? We didn’t come here to stay in the hotel!! We should be out there enjoying the views and turkish food!! Get ready, we’re leaving in 5 mins!” shouted Zara, accompanied by Sierra who were my friends and colleagues from Zurich, and my only companions for the trip.

Antalya has its own magic. Beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and oh the food! Food is to die for. It was just our second day, and because I was more into food than shopping, we chose one of the most expensive restaurants in all of Antalya , and decided to go there. It was the closest restaurant to the beach. We went inside and oh the aroma! The people were the elite class of Turkish society, the clatter of knives and spoons and fine dining. We three were dressed pretty casually, I was wearing a simple dress which looked quite the black sheep in the restaurant, but fortunately people were so busy in their conversations that no one noticed our ‘tourist’ kind of clothing. We quickly settled at a corner table, and were given menus by the waiters. While Zara and Sierra were having difficulty reading names of Turkish cuisines, I was looking around the fine interior of the restaurant. Just as I was about to lower down my gaze I saw something. I was startled. I felt like my heartbeat stopped. I could not process what I saw, or specifically, who I saw.

An incredibly handsome man, all muscular, wearing a cap and a fitted t-shirt with jeans, sitting alone at a table just behind ours. He was looking down at the menu card, and I again caught a quick glance at him to reassure myself if he was who I thought he is. Yes, it was Henry Cavill. The Henry Cavill.

Henry Cavill, who after recently completing the critically acclaimed and much loved The Witcher Netflix series and after doing three films of the worldwide famous James Bond series, was on a break. For more than a year, he was out of the spotlight for reasons unknown. All of these thoughts, all of those times when I used to fangirl over him on Twitter and other platforms, all the times I had always wished to see him went through my mind. But now I was a changed person, my life was no longer the same, and here I was feeling so strongly for this man. Zara suddenly looked at me and said, “Hey, are you ok? Your face is all red and you’re sweating. What’s wrong?” I didn’t know what to say, both of them weren’t much aware of Hollywood actors. So I said, “It’s... it’s Henry.. it’s Henry Cavill.. right behind our table” They looked at his table and Sierra instantly recognised him, “Oh he’s the new Bond, my sister loves this guy! Let’s go ask for a picture” I nervously replied, “NO, wait, maybe he doesn’t want any fans near him, i mean he’s sitting alone..”

“Oh come on, a picture won’t hurt, get up let’s go” said Sierra.

I tried to calm myself thinking it’s just a picture, and I can gather the courage to ask him for that without freaking out, I’m a 26 year old independent woman for God’s sake it’s not a big deal! So Sierra and I went to his table, and she instantly said “Hey! Henry Cavill?” He looked up, oh God his ocean eyes, I could not look directly at him but when I did I lost all my focus, but quickly tried to be composed again. “My sister is a huge fan of yours, can I take a picture with you Mr Bond?” Sierra said while smiling. He looked at her with a very heartwarming smile and said “Ofcourse, go ahead” She instantly took a selfie with him, thanked him and went straight back to our table leaving me alone.

It was just me now. Standing right beside him, while he was looking at me with his questioning eyes. “You want a picture too?” And I nervously said, “I don’t know if a picture can do justice to how much I have loved your work over the years”. He went silent for a few seconds, staring at me, and the way I responded to him. “So you’re not a new or seasonal fan? ah i see” he smiled. “Well, a picture won’t hurt, and it would act as a memory to relive this moment, so can I have one too?” I said, with a bit more confidence.

He gestured to take my phone and as I opened its camera, he himself took a selfie with me.

I thanked him, trying to keep my calm turned my back and started to walk away when he said, “Would you like to join me, if you and your friends don’t mind?” I instantly froze. I didn’t know what to say, I turned again and looked again in his deep blue eyes. Whenever I looked at him directly I felt so intimidated. I had no courage to even say anything other than “Yes, sure”. Sierra and Zara looked at me, laughed and gave a reassuring nod.

I sat down opposite him, and was smiling with nervousness and happiness. A kind of happiness I had never felt in my entire life.

“So, what do you want to eat? I’m thinking of these kebabs.” The ups and downs of my hormones had made me lose my appetite. I wasn’t hungry anymore. “Oh I’ve already eaten, one turkish coffee would be fine” I lied. He smirked and called the waiter, and ordered the food. All this time I couldn’t keep my eyes off him, his face, jawline, curls below his cap, and his fitted shirt, oh God why does he have to wear such fitted clothes. His arms. All of this was seductive, as if his voice alone wasn’t enough. “So, what is you name? And what are you doing here in Antalya?” I told him about my work trip and that I’m from Zurich. “Why are you here in Antalya of all places? You’ve been out of the spotlight for several months, so are you on a long vacation?” I fearfully asked as I knew I was getting personal.

In a very laid back and calm voice he answered, “I wanted a break. After doing my dream project, the witcher and finally getting to do Bond, I still felt incomplete. My life was being consumed by my work mostly. Half of the year I used to film for witcher and the other for Bond. I needed a break. So i went on a trip, alone. I traveled all of Europe, and Turkey is my last destination”

“So you’ve been alone all this time? If you dont mind me asking, why? For a man like you, it must be so easy to get women all around you. Why haven’t you found someone?” I knew I was getting too personal but all those early years of loving him and being obsessed with him started to hit me again. I had so many questions and such little time. I wanted to know so much but had so many restrictions.

He looked at me, with a firm face this time. He kind of looked low, and upset. I felt sorry that I had invaded his personal space. “Uh, I’m so sorry Henry. I know I asked a bit too much.” I was embarrassed when he casually put his hand over mine and reassured me saying, “Ah no (Y/N), I just didn’t know how to respond to your questions, was kind of contemplating over how to answer you. Well all of my past relationships have taught me something or the other. And some of the women I met were only interested in my wealth and status, it’s rare to find a person who actually wants to understand you. My only dream was to start a family of my own, and to do that I need to find a person who’s willing to spend her life with me as much as I’m willing to do so.”

A pause followed. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him and he couldn’t stop looking at me. It was like I was falling deeper with every second. I felt like his eyes could rip my clothes and my body, and could see my soul right through.

“Sir, maam, your order’s here” said the waiter as he interrupted our deep silence.

“Oh I’m starving!” said Henry. Which made me realise that he’s probably not nervous at all, and why would he be? I’m just a fan who is inappropriately in love with him and he probably thinks I’m just someone who can give him friendly company over this dinner.

I drank my coffee while I constantly noticed him eating his dinner, his jaw and the way he held his knife and fork, his fingers. I was way into it when I realised he’s not mine to have, I’m a nobody, and he’s a star.

He asked for the bill, and while I insisted to pay his eyes intimidated me again and he paid for both of us. We both stood up to leave, when I tried to look at my previous table, Zara and Sierra had already left. I quickly checked my phone and Zara had already messaged me that they’re gone for shopping at the nearby market and I can join them there.

While i was putting my phone back in my bag, I felt a warm breath near my ear, “Turns out your friends left you alone with me, huh?” Henry whispered, standing so close to me I could feel his scent entering my body. I realised the height difference then. I was so short standing next to his towering body, I could only reach his chest. I instantly became shy and moved a bit away, “Ah no, they left me a message, they’re at nearby market, I better get going” I dont know why I said about going when all I ever wanted was to stay. “God, please make him ask me to stay, please” I thought as I zipped my bag. “Um, would you want to go to the beach with me?” A wave of excitement flushed through me. “Right now? It’s dark.” I said.

“So what? I couldn’t go during the day as I wanted to stay away from being recognised, darn it, have to wear this cap to stay away from all the paparazzi!” Henry explained.

I smiled, “Oh I see, sure let’s go. I haven’t seen Konyalti beach at night anyway”.

We both left together and as soon as we left the restaurant, the sea shore began. He took off his shoes instantly, and started walking bare foot. “What? You’re not going to feel the sand? the moist sand, the smell of the beach. Reminds me of my childhood days in Jersey” he smiled as I looked at his feet. “You’re not going to take off your sandals?” He asked.

“Ah i dont want to get my feet dirty, we spent the entire day at the beach already!” I exclaimed. He instantly stared at me, sat on his knees, while I wasn’t able to understand what’s going on, he immediately untied my sandals and took them off my feet. “HENRY!?? oh my God, what even?” I shouted while laughing.

“What’s the point of walking on the beach with shoes on?” He remarked.

We walked along the beach. The moonlight reflected on the waves as they hit the shore. The sound of waves crashing, gave me the peace I was longing for. But maybe it wasn’t just that, it was him, his breathtaking presence, walking beside me, silently. The silence interrupted by our casual conversations about each other’s childhood, about how we wished our lives were a bit different, about the risks that we took to become what we were today in our respective fields. As we reached the end of the shoreline, the market began where Zara and Sierra had asked me to meet.

“This is the market, we’ve been passing through it since the past two days but never really got time to visit. So that’s why we had planned to go right now” I explained to Henry.

He moved closer to me and slowly moved his hand towards mine, and held it. His fingers with mine, I felt a rush of feelings inside me. It was as if my body didn’t know how to react. I was stunned. “Don’t leave, not yet. Do you.. maybe, do you want to have a drink with me? or maybe walk me back to my hotel?” Henry said.

His eyes, those mesmerising eyes. I had no right to say no. And why would I? I could die to spend more time with him.

“Um, yeah..I guess” I said, nervously.

We walked towards his hotel which was just five minutes away from the beach. He was holding my hand all along, and I did not and could not ruin this moment. I simply wanted to lose control, when the insecurities inside me kept telling me that I wasn’t worth any of his affection, I still wanted to lose my senses.

We went inside his hotel, the receptionist welcomed him, and we both straight went to his room. His room was a deluxe suite, felt like a room of a Mediterranean Palace. It smelled of his scent, that strong seductive scent which felt like it could rip right through my clothes and caress my soul. He let go of my hand as soon we entered his room.

“So this is where I’ve been living since the past two weeks.” Henry said, as he locked the door.

“Wow, two weeks here? We barely have four days left of our trip here” He stopped and gave me a worried look.

I was looking at his clothes all piled up on a sofa chair where I was about to make my place to sit, when Henry came from behind and strongly held my hand, turned my face towards him and pushed me against the wall. “Henry..?” I said as a whisper.

He said, “ Shh, four more days only?” He said as he moved his face closer to mine. I was almost shivering. He pushed himself against me, gently, as he slowly moved his hand and touched my face. He stared directly into my eyes, and I let myself lose control.

He slowly kissed me, as his lips unfolded mine. His tongue touched mine. It was like fire. It was like fire raging through my entire body. He was so passionate, so gentle yet so intimidating.

I could feel him getting hard. I was wet just by him kissing me.

He slowly untied my dress, while I ripped off his shirt. I couldn’t control myself any longer. I had saved myself for someone special all of my life, and this was it. This was like a dream come true. He picked me up, and gently pushed me on the bed, everything was happening like house on fire. His body, so heavy and dominating, over mine felt like I was being caressed and touched through every part of my existence. He now moved his lips from my lips towards my neck. I moaned and scratched his back, while I wrapped my legs around him, I couldn’t resist any longer. I wanted him inside me. I wanted him to take me.

He instantly went straight down as he undid my lingerie. I felt invaded, but this was invited invasion. I ran my fingers through his beautiful curly hair as he indulged his face down. His tongue worked like an artist’s paintbrush on a painting. Everytime his tongue touched my clit, I’d moan louder and he’d put his hand over my mouth. He suddenly pushed his tongue inside me, when he realised it. He kissed my belly, and then sucked my nipples for so long there was spit all over my breasts. There was a wine bottle beside the bed, he looked over grabbed it and poured wine over me. I moaned louder while I was barely in my senses, when he pushed himself over me and whispered in my ears “You sure you want this? You want me to take it?” I could not have explained to him how much I wanted this, how much I wanted him to fuck me hard. “Fuck me, Henry. Please” I said. I could feel his temperature as he rubbed his dick down on me. I could feel the thickness, the veins, the touch. He was most certainly a giver.

“I wont let it hurt you, (y/n)” He kissed me hard as he slowly pushed it inside me. It hurt me but the sensations overtook me. I couldn’t feel any pain. It felt like I was not in my senses anymore.

His heavy muscular body over me, as he grinded deeper, he moaned. It was at that moment when I came hard. I could not resist his moans. He was noisy, and the moans made me weak, my legs shivered, and he kept fucking me hard. I whispered “I am coming, baby” He moaned, and fucked deeper, as he let himself lose on me, he came while he kissed me, I felt every bit of him coming inside me. It made me come even more. We were both wet and sweating. As we finished, he pushed his eyes over my neck while I ran my fingers through his curls.

It was unusual. It felt like he had been resisting something for so long and as if he’s finally free. He kissed my forehead, and then again he pushed his face below my neck, as if trying to hide from the world. I hugged him tightly as I took the quilt at the side of the bed and covered us both. We were together, our bodies tangled with each other’s, and we were hidden. Hidden from the world. We slept, and slept for so long and neither of us had kept of track of time.

I woke up as sun’s rays ripped inside through the window and pushed away curtains. I woke up and look at Henry. He was truly created by God when He had decided to pour in all the beauty and perfection. His eyelashes, his beautiful face, his curls on his forehead, I felt so blessed. To wake up next to him, and not just next to him, he was in the exact position he slept in. His head on my chest. I kissed his forehead, and ran my fingers through his curls. He opened his eyes, still sleepy. “(Y/N) ? You didn’t leave?” He asked me.

“I’d never leave you, Henry.” I said. Not knowing if what I said is appropriate or not.

“Wait what time is it!?” I asked as I tried to find my phone, which was on the side of our bed. 23 missed calls and messages from Zara and Sierra. I forgot to tell them that I won’t be coming to the market. Damn it.

“What happened? Is everything okay?” Henry asked, as he sat up on the bed, trying to find something to wear. “I forgot to inform my friends last night, they must be so worried” I said in a confusing tone. As I was still on a sex hungover state of mind.

I got up and changed while he did the same.

“You must be hungry, dont say no!?” He said.

I was worried about my friends. I had to talk to them and explain everything. “But Henry, I have to go now, I have to tell them where I was” I worriedly said.

“I’ll go with you” he said, with his signature smirk and that eyebrow lift.

We both left the hotel, took a cab and asked the driver to take us to my hotel. Meanwhile I called my friends and said I was with Henry and we went to watch a movie and kind of spent the night walking on the beach to see the sunrise and now I was going to for shopping alone. I knew it was a lame excuse but I had no other scenario to tell them. Henry asked the cab driver to stop. “What? Why here?” I asked, confused.

“Now that you’ve lied to your friends already, why not have breakfast with me atleast?” He said innocently. I was amused and I smiled.

This guy, who’s literally loved by millions of people around the world, is right here with me, there’s nothing in the world that can actually be more important to me than spending as much time with him as I can. But was I really worth it all? My insecurities started to kick again, as he suddenly held my hand. I wonder how he realises the correct moment to hold my hand. As if he has known me all along and when I need reassurance. His eyes looked beautiful, as usual, but in the daylight I could notice the colour of his eyes. One different as the other, it’s like God wanted to be more creative with colours.

Part 2 - Tangled ✨

[avengerscompound]

Mixology - The Wingman

Mixology - A Captain America Fanfic

Series Masterlist

Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing:  Steve Rogers x Reader

Word Count:  2761

Series Warnings:  Angst, Character death, Breaking up and making up, past trauma, pregnancy, talk of abortion, smut (vaginal sex, fingering, other things)

Synopsis:   Steve Rogers comes into your bar and after a night of flirting you take him home.  When he leaves the next day you never expect to see him again.

A/N:  This fic was written pre-Infinity War.  So while it follows canon for a while, it then veers off wildly at the end.

The Wingman

The music in the bar has that loud thud-thud that makes hearing customers orders difficult.  You have been on shift for a couple of hours now.  Manning the bar with the very serious Davide and the very flamboyant Brian. You seriously love this job. You’ve been traveling around the world for a while now, getting jobs at bars wherever you’ve gone, but this has to be the best place you’ve ever worked.  Your coworkers are amazing, your customers are all fantastic.  No one harasses you, and the very rare times a straight guy came in and decided that the fact you were there possessing a vagina so therefore you must want to use that vagina with him, it took three seconds flat for around ten guys to intervene and drive him out.  Plus, the owner of the bar also owns the building and is letting you rent an apartment upstairs for peanuts.

A couple of guys enter the bar.  You worry for a moment.  Despite the fact they are both extremely fit and gorgeous they also look uncomfortably out of place.  Your first thought is gay bar tourists.  So you keep half an eye on them while you continue to make drinks in case they cause trouble.  

It becomes pretty evident that they aren’t gay watching when one of the locals goes over and starts hitting on them and ends up being dragged onto the dance floor by the guy who seems much more confident in his surroundings.

The other one approaches the bar and sits down at the end, keeping his friend in his line of sight.  He really is remarkably good looking.  Tall, blond, broad-shouldered with a tiny waist. Stunning blue eyes that have eyelashes so long that you’re honestly a little jealous of.  His arms are something else too.  He’s wearing a light blue button-up shirt, but it is so tight around his biceps that you can clearly see the shape of them.  He’s also rolled up the sleeves, and his forearms are thick and veined.  For what might be the first time ever you curse the fact this is a gay bar.  

You’re about to approach him when one of the regulars grabs your arm.  

“Can you send him a drink from me?”  He says.

“Sure, babe.  What’s your poison?”  You ask.

“Maybe something like an old fashioned?  I bet he would like that.”  He says.

You have no idea what that means, but you grab a glass and muddle some sugar and bitters around the edge.  You pour in some wild turkey and a dash of water and approach the guy.  

“This here is from tall dark and handsome at the end of the bar.”  You say sliding the glass in front of him.  

He looks up at you startled.  “Oh, uh …”  He glances down at the man who had sent him the drink and then back at you.

“Not interested?”  You ask.

“I’m just here because my friend said he wanted a wingman.”  He answers.

“Want me to go throw it in his face?”  You ask trying to put him at ease.  It does the opposite and makes him panic.

“No.  No.  I don’t want to turn him down like that.”  He says waving his hands in front of him.

“Shall I go let him down easy for you?”  You offer.

He nods.  “Please.”  

You walk back over to the regular and shake your head.  “Sorry.  You’re really not his type.  Like really, really.”  

“What do you mean?”  He asks.

“Well, I think maybe I might be more his type.”  You answer.  

“Aw shit. Why are all the good ones straight?”  He laughs and you join in.  

You keep your eye on the hottie.  He, in turn, keeps watching you, but he’s also keeping half an eye on his friend.  His friend is doing very well for himself.  He will definitely be getting laid tonight.  When hottie finishes his drink you decide to make him another.  You’re feeling a little playful, so you decide to make him something to see if you can make him blush.  

You grab the triple sec, peach schnapps and Midori.  You add them to a glass in equal parts and take the drink to him.

“I’ve come offering a cockteaser.”  You say, sliding drink to him.  

He looks startled again.  “You what?”

You laugh.  “It’s the name of the drink.  I made it for you.  Mr?”

“Oh thank you.  Steve.”  He answers.

You cock an eyebrow at him.  “Mr Steve?”

He’s flustered now, and you kind of feel bad for teasing him like that.  “No, uh.  Rogers.  But it’s Captain.  Uh… Just Steve is fine.”  He says.  “Is this drink really called that?”

You laugh.  “Sure is.  I don’t make them enough considering it’s a gay bar.  And you’re sitting here all alone being such a good friend.  You should at least get a drink out of it.”

You leave him alone again continuing doing your job.  It’s busy tonight and between the three of you behind the bar, you don’t stop for a breath too often.  You keep your eye on Steve though.  Men will approach him periodically and he continues to turn them down.  They never look like they’ve been hurt by his rejection though.  You like that he is letting them down easy each time.  You see that he’s finished his drink so you decide to make him another.  

“Sex on the beach?”  You ask as you sidle over to him.

He laughs.  “See, I know that one is a cocktail.”  

“Oh, then how about a blowjob instead?”  You counter.

He blushes.  Actually really blushes.  “What about sex on the beach first.  We can do the blow job later.”

You hold your hand to your heart like your scandalized.  “Mr. Steve.  Are you propositioning me?”  You pull out the orange and cranberry juices, the vodka and the peach schnapps and layer each liquid in the glass so that it makes a beautiful orange to red ombré in the glass.

You put it in front of him and he takes a sip.  “I like this one.”  He says smiling up at you.  

“Yeah, it’s kind of refreshing.”  You agree.  You both hold each other’s eye contact for a while.  “Yeah so, uh.  Job to do.”  You say and jerk your thumb over your shoulder.  

The night moves on.  You do give Steve that blowjob a little later.  He invites you to take the shot with him, and despite technically not being allowed to drink on the job, you accept anyway.   You’re also surprised by how little the alcohol is affecting him.  He’s now mixed several different alcohols and had quite a few standard drinks but he still seems completely sober.  

The bar starts to empty and you mix him another drink. Brian has been nudging you and whispering about him all night.  Now that it’s quieter he wants you to get to know him better.

“Here I am with one hot pussy.”  You say putting the drink down in front of him.  

He blushes again.  He looks at his hands and mumbles something.

“Didn’t quite catch that.  Sorry, Steve.”  You say.

“I said;”  He shakes his head like he can’t believe what he’s about to say.  “I can see that, and what’s the drink called?”

You burst out laughing.  “That was amazing.  I love it.”  You say putting your hand on his.  

“So you know my name, but I still don’t know yours.”  He says taking a sip of the very pink drink you just placed in front of him.

“It’s y/n.”  You reply.  “Now tell me, you know what I do, how about you?”

Steve looks at you like he can’t quite believe that you just asked that.  “You really don’t know who I am?”  

You give him a puzzled look.  “Should I?”

His friend comes over and claps him on the shoulder.  “What the hell are you drinking, Cap?”

Steve shakes his head and mumbles his reply.

“It’s a hot pussy.  You want one?”  You answer for him.  His friend cracks up laughing.

“No thank you.  I got myself some hot ass instead.”  He laughs.  “Speaking of which.  I’m heading out, Cap.  Are you right getting home without me?”

“Of course, Sam.  Enjoy your night.”  He pats Sam on the back and Sam heads out with his date.

It suddenly dawns on you who you’ve been talking to all night.  Your hands fly to your mouth.  “You’re Captain America!”  You squeak.  

Steve looks at you.  He looks serious, but not angry.  “No, Captain America is what I do.  I’m Steve.”  

You shake yourself.  “I’m sorry.  I just feel like an idiot.  I’ll just … job.”  

You go back to serving people and cleaning up.  You’re sure he’ll leave now.  Justifiable really.  How could you have been that oblivious?  He finishes the drink but he doesn’t move. Just stays seated at the bar.  He watches you, but not in a creepy way.  Just keeping half an eye on you while the crowd-watches.

The bar starts emptying out at around 1 am.  At two Brian calls last drinks.  You fill a glass with ice and pour Kahlua, Bailey’s and Amaretto over it.  You skewer some cherries with a toothpick and balance it on the side of the glass.  You consider just drinking it.  This is stupid, but Brian nudges you in Steve’s direction.

You put the drink down in front of him, and he wraps his large hand around the glass.  He looks up at you, waiting for the line he knows you have.

“There you are, Steve.”  You say.  “I just gave you an orgasm.”

Steve laughs and shakes his head.  “Maybe you’ll let me return the favor.”

You smile and lean into him.  “Captain Rogers …”

“Steve.”  He says, putting his hand on yours.

“Steve,”  You continue.  “I live upstairs.  Would you like to come home with me?”

Steve smiles.  “I would love to.”

You end out your shift cleaning off the tables and stacking the chairs onto them.  Steve comes to help you and you both chat.  Not about anything in particular.  Just small talk.  He’s a little shy which you find endearing.

When you’re finally completely finished you grab your coat and hook your elbow around Steve’s.  “Shall we?”  You say.

Steve nods and you take him out the front door.  The entrance into the apartments is only a few yards from the entrance to the bar. You lead Steve inside and hit the elevator call button.  It’s slow and you stand holding his hand while you wait for it to arrive.

“I’m actually only a few floors up.”  You say.  “But what’s the point of living in a building with an elevator if you can’t make out in it once in a while?”

Steve chuckles.  “Would you like me to do that thing where I lift you up and slam you against the wall they always do in movies these days?”

You look up at him and bite your lip.  “Yes, please.”

The elevator arrives and you both step inside and hit the number 4.  You turn to Steve and he leans down, capturing your mouth with his.  His hands slide down your back to your ass and he lifts you pushing you against the wall.  You wrap your legs around his slim waist and your hands to go this hair.  You devour each other, mouths clashing together.  He grinds his hips into you.  

The elevator ride is over too soon and he drops you to your feet.  You walk down the hall to your apartment and fumble with your keys, still light headed from the kiss.  As soon as you’re through the door to your studio apartment he’s on you again, his hand on your face.  You stumble backward towards your bed, kicking off your shoes and unbuttoning his shirt as you go.  He has a singlet underneath.  An honest to god singlet.  You pull it up and scrape your fingernails over his overdeveloped abdominal muscles.  

He pushes you back onto the bed and crawls up in between your legs.  It is then that one of the most mortifying things that could happen when you’re engaging in foreplay with someone could happen. You yawn.  Not a little, accidentally slip out yawn.  A large, gaping mouth, take over your body yawn.  

“Oh my god, I am so sorry. I do really want this.”  You stutter.  

“That bad is it?”  He asks, raising his eyebrow at you.

“No! No, no. I swear to god.  I’ve just been up for 18 hours now.”  You explain.   “I promise.  I’m really into it.”

Steve laughs.  “You know, I can beat that, I was up at 5 this morning.  I’m exhausted.  I didn’t want to say.  These things usually have limited windows. Would you be opposed to actually sleeping now?  We can do the other stuff in the morning?”

You breathe a sigh of relief.  This is actually a little exciting.  You have the day off.  You can sleep with this gorgeous man in your bed and then just devote the whole day to fucking his brains out tomorrow.  “You really don’t mind?”  

He rubs his hand over the back of his head.  “Not only do I not mind, I think I’d like it.”

The two of you get ready for bed.  It feels like such a cute domestic thing to do considering you’ve only just met.  You pull out one of your spare toothbrushes and the two of you stand at the vanity together brushing your teeth.

Steve strips off to his boxers and singlet.  It’s amazing how a guy who’s wearing grandpa clothes can be so completely, disgustingly hot.  You aren’t sure what to do.  You would normally either sleep naked or in warm, flannel pajamas.  Neither seems quite appropriate.  You settle on one of the cami sets you own.  It’s light blue and more on the cute side than the sexy side.  

Now the only question is do you just strip naked in front of the stranger in your room?  You were going to have sex with him not even fifteen minutes ago, he would have seen you naked.  So why does it feel weird to just change clothes in front of him?

It’s like Steve has read your mind.  He walks up behind you and moves your hair off your neck.  He nuzzles at your throat and his hands slide up under your t-shirt.  He pulls it up over your head and turns you to face him.  He deftly unfastens your fly and pushes your shorts down.  You step out of them and he brings his lips to yours. You kiss slowly, lips caressing each other's.  His hands roam your body and settle, one on your throat, the other on your breast.  His thumb rolling over your nipple through the fabric of your bra.

He pulls away from you, his hands moving down to your hips.  “I’d like to see you.”  He says.  The way he says it puts you at ease.  It’s not an order, but it sort of is.  It’s a little hopeful too.  Like he’s looking forward to it.

You unfasten your bra and slide it down your arms.  He places his large hands on your breasts and circles his thumbs over your areolae.  There is a dark hunger in his eyes, and he runs his tongue over his bottom lip.  You shudder and stand waiting for him to finish.  When he removes his hands you remove your panties.

“Come to bed.”  He says and steps away from you.  

You pull on your cami set, switch off the light and climb into bed next to him.  He pulls you into his arms, and you snuggle into his chest.  

That’s how you fall asleep wrapped in the arms of Captain America.

You wake to the sound of whimpering.  Steve starts to thrash in the bed next to you.  

“Bucky, no!”  He cries amongst general, unintelligible murmuring.  You hug yourself against his body and run your palm over his brow.

“Shh… you’re safe, Steve.”  You whisper into his ear.  

His arms wrap around you again.  “I gotta put her in the water.”  He mumbles.

“It’s just a dream.  You’re safe.”  Somehow you know that’s not true.  It isn’t just a dream. You continue to whisper to him, running your hands through his hair.  He whimpers for a little longer, burying his face into your neck then stills.  This time when you drift back off to sleep it’s him in your arms.

// NEXT

[themirthfulroadrunners]

Rocky Mountain High

Bayfield, CO

We’ve slowed down on stopping to take pictures of every wow moment, this being our 4th or 5th trip to Colorado and the New Mexico region, but not on repeating WOW! to one another. Our house-sit to Bayfield, Colorado was the best yet in terms of comfortable, clean home, easy pets, and centricity to hikes and sightseeing. We missed being able to watch their horses. They were pastured at a neighbor’s, saving us the hassle of seeing to them. Grrrr! 

We hiked a mountain creek during pour-off in New Mexico before we ever reached our destination. In a very quaint and picturesque cemetery in Cimaron, New Mexico, there was a marker stating that the inhabitant, a preacher, was assassinated in 1875. Being a large monument, I trust he was respected.  

Our first day in Colorado, we drove to a true ghost town, Pagosa Junction. Being in the Ute Indian land probably accounted for its unmolested condition – not even any graffiti! We were respectful. The route also took us to the community of Allison, giving us a couple abandoned churches to add to our collection.

Our last Colorado trip was to Gypsum with two major fires not only consuming nearby forests but smoking the place up and restricting us from several travel experiences. This house-sit in Bayfield, we received extensive instructions regarding potential evacuation in the event of a new fire: move 5 vehicles to designated area, watch for neighbors and relatives to come get vehicles and equipment, crate up the pets (expect resistance), make phone calls, meet at … blah, blah, blah. It’s a 42-acre horse ranch at the 7000’ elevation mark in a pine forest.

The biggest difference among our several house-sits in Colorado was the heat wave in place when we arrived in Bayfield. Yikes, it’s famously fabled that drier and higher air is more comfortable even when the thermometer spikes, but that’s just not true, folks, and I wonder who started that vicious rumor! This high-elevation, dry heat envelops, melts and assaults. But in the early morning before the day of 99 degrees, the temp was in the 50s! Good luck with your wardrobe, travelers!

On the Continental Divide Trail: “It’s perfect weather for a hike,” Wayne said as they neared the 11,000 feet elevation mark. “I’d like it to be 5 degrees warmer,” Debbie replied. Wisely, Wayne said nothing. We let three male hikers pass us. The two younger ones were carrying openly. We wondered if they were taking the third, an oldster out to shoot him. Wayne, unwisely, piped up, “You never know when you might wanna shoot somebody.”

And speaking of graves and cemeteries, one of our eccentricities, we found where Bob Ford was buried. Yup, the Robert Ford. Recall in past blogs we found Clifton Clowers’ grave on Wolverton Mountain, William Bonnie at Ft Sumner, Kit Carson in Sante Fe, Buster Brown/Tom Thumb in the Missouri bootheel, and Absalom Fowler in the locally famous Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. And of course, we’ve been to JFK’s eternal flame in Arlington as well as Abraham Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield, Illinois. But even after all our graveyard treks, we still don’t know who’s in Grant’s tomb. Oh, and Bob Ford? “Well that dirty little coward,” (to the tune of ??) “that shot Mister Howard, he done laid poor Jesse in his grave.”

Crossbucks are a “thing” out in the wild wild west. Every style, from humble to grandiose.

Creede, Colorado, a town named after a man who bought the right, was a mining town that survived the ore: silver, copper, lead, zinc, amethyst. Bat Masterson was a deputy for a bit there. Returning to modern times, the move The Lone Ranger was filmed, in part, in Creede, particularly the train scenes. At the start of the Bachelor Loop, a drive through the mining region, you pass the local fire department where they park their vehicles inside the mountain in old mines. The cavities are huge. The ghost town of Bachelor, the city in the clouds, where over a thousand people lived is but an empty meadow, the remains of one lone fallen-down building at the forest’s edge. There’s a plaque with a photograph of the once-upon-a-town. Amazing that it’s just gone, as are so many of the west’s ghost towns. Some exist only as residential neighborhoods, the town no longer to be. Some, like Peppersauce in Calico Rock, Arkansas, are completely surrounded by the new town, the old abandoned structures still in place.

Silverton and Ouray were just as fun as our last trip there, though not as picturesque due to the smoky sky, the result of fires further west, California, Idaho, Oregon. What we do know for sure is that it appears that Texans have annexed the Rockies, but who can blame them? (besides Wayne)

The Four Corners Monument is controlled by the Navajo Indian Nation, since it’s on their land. Covid-19 restrictions limit visitors to 50% capacity causing an hour, or longer, wait. Wayne’s been there, Debbie not, but since both have been all around it, we opted to pass on standing on the exact dot at the cost of $20 per car after a 2-hour drive. A modern, more sophisticated survey would prob’ly move it a mile or so anyway.

We hiked the Colorado Trail, well, part of it, enough to have enjoyed it a lot. The views were, of course, fabulous.

On a second trip to Silverton, with much better visibility due to recent rain and the Oregon/Idaho/California fires smoke blown on a different course, we travelled to Eureka, another ghost town where there were huge mining operations. The Animas River is beautiful, as well as the many streams feeding it. I have to wonder, though, how clean they were during the peak of the mining days. Environmental concerns were decades in the future.

        Walking the dog Zoey on the property (42 acres of pasture and pine), a flock of wild turkeys made their way up the hillside not fifty feet from us. They seemed half again larger than the Arkansas wild turkeys. The squirrels appear different than Arkansas red fox or grays. These are sort of mottled with a silverish belt around their neck area. And I don’t believe I’ve ever seen an Arkansas squirrel sit/stand erect like a ground hog. Research indicates it may be a ground squirrel.

       We found a really exciting, back-of-the-mountain road, two actually, that led through ghost towns, naturally. Colorado is truly wondrous, especially when you can get away from the tourists, a difficult process in mid-July.

       We found a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, one of our favorite travelling pleasures. The Blue Sky Café in Bayfield. Not being able to decide among the foo-foo descriptions, Wayne settled on a hamburger and sweet potato tots. They were AMAZING! Telling the waitress brought the owner/cook to us – she whispered that she added a mild cajun seasoning. Never had any like it. Their breakfast menu extremely enticing, we were there the next morning at their posted opening time. Nope – a brand new handwritten notice stated that they would be closed on Saturdays. Disappointed, we slunk back to the house for bowls of cereal.

       Thus ended our most recent foray into a beloved area of the country. I cannot imagine tiring of this land of exceptional beauty. It’s the eye-candy state!

More Pix:

[yourboatholiday]

Top Recommended Boat Itinerary in the Dodecanese – Sail in the sunniest corner of Greece

The Dodecanese is an archipelago of about 163 islands and islets that rises in the southeastern Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey. The Dodecanese (literally meaning “twelve islands”) is in fact an island region of Greece, between Turkey to the east, the island of Crete to the south, the Cyclades to the west, and the island of Samos to the north.

CONTACT YBH FOR YOUR CHARTER IN THE DODECANESE

The main island is Rhodes, where the capital also takes place.

Located in a region of passage between east and west, the islands bear evident signs of their past, from the classical era to the Knights of Rhodes, until the Turkish and Italian occupation. Different denominations have left traces in the culture and architectural testimonies.

Only 26 of its islands are inhabited and some of the most famous are Symi, Lipsi, Nisyros, Tilos, Kasos, Khalki, Rhodes, and Karpathos.

How to get to the Dodecanese?

Depending on the itinerary you will follow, the tourist port from which it is more convenient to set sail changes. In our opinion, the ideal is to arrive by air in one of the main Dodecanese islands and then organize the departure of the tour in the nearest tourist port.

In this regard, Rhodes, one of the southernmost islands of the archipelago, hosts an international airport with daily flights arriving from all over Europe. It is located 14 miles (about 25 minutes by car) from the Rhodes marina.

VIEW ALL THE BOATS IN THE DODECANESE

Alternatively, it is possible to land on the island of Kos which, however, is further north than Rhodes. Its international airport is about a 30-minute drive from the nearest marina.

Finally, as a third option, you could reach Crete island, landing at the Heraklion international airport which is located just 5 kilometers east of the island capital which is equipped with a large marina.

What climate awaits us sailing the Dodecanese?

These islands are particularly arid and characterized by a hot and dry climate, while the winds blow mainly from the north-west. Furthermore, since they are located at the southern end of the Greek territory, they are considered the hottest destination in the country to sail to, or “the sunniest corner of Greece” as someone calls them.

For this reason, it is also worth visiting them in April (at the beginning of the season) or towards the end of October and early November, when the winds are quieter and blow from the south-east.

Recommended: Which is the best Greek sailing season? Not an easy answer!

Which is the best sailing itinerary of the Dodecanese?

Depending on your available time, you can plan a different type of itinerary. Starting from Crete, it is possible to go up the Dodecanese from the south up to the heart of the Aegean Sea. Or, starting from Kos or Rhodes, it is possible to zigzag between the various islands not maintaining a well-defined route but rather deciding it day by day.

Whatever your choice, for this kind of travel it is always good to rely on specialized rental companies. Our advice is to rely on Your Boat Holiday, a serious and responsible company to entrust with the complete management of your trip.

Finally, let’s see some of the islands that you will encounter during your 7 days boat itinerary in the Dodecanese, describing them briefly:

Rhodes  The largest island in the Dodecanese, Rhodes is a wonderful island, full of history, picturesque villages, and beautiful beaches.

The good weather affects Rhodes for most of the year: the turquoise sea, its variety of its landscapes, its forests and mountains, its vineyards and hills, its historical places, the beautiful Rhodes city with its ancient ruins will make your visit unique and unforgettable.

As a docking port, we recommend the moorings at the Rhodes town marina. Around 380 berths for boats up to 120 meters are available here. Rhodes was protected by one of the seven wonders of the world: the famous Colossus of Rhodes! A city poised between ancient and modern, it offers the visitor unique views.

SymiSymi is one of the most beautiful and welcoming islands in the Dodecanese and is located north of Rhodes, near the southwestern coast of Turkey. The city of Symi, which gives the island its name, is a village with Italian neoclassical architecture that descends from the hills and reaches the Gialos port’s crystalline waters.

It is characterized by large stairways that connect the lower part of the city to that highest called Horio, the oldest part of the island. Horio is full of small alleys where pastel-colored houses alternate with ancient ruins. Here are also the ruins of the castle built by the Knights of San Giovanni in the early 1400s.

The main night anchorage is that of Gialos.

Nisyros In complete contrast to Symi, Nisyros features the classic Greek landscape with whitewashed houses.

Obviously, the most important attraction and the one that alone is worth the trip is visiting the Nisyros volcano. The main crater is divided into five other small craters from where pinnacles of sulfurous smoke emerge continuously. Due to the summer temperatures of the place, it is recommended to arrive early in the morning.

Anchorages are available at Mandraki Harbor, in the southeast corner of the island.

Tilos

Tilos is full of small treasures but remains far from the flows of mass tourism that cross the Aegean Sea. A result is a place where a quiet and very relaxing atmosphere resists.

This small island, with its approximately four hundred inhabitants, offers several beaches, twelve mountains, a famous cave, and a handful of more or less ruined castles.

The gateway to the island is the port of Livadia where most of the accommodations are also concentrated.

Kos

Second, for extension after Rhodes, Kos is rich in history and natural beauty. Here 2500 years ago, in the shade of a large plane tree, the father of modern Western medicine, Hippocrates, taught his disciples. And a large plane tree is located in the main square of the city, Plateia Platanou, and it is said that he planted it himself.

Archaeological excavations have brought to light the remains of its ancient past, when it was one of the richest and most powerful islands in the Aegean Sea and when its trade also flourished.

If you stop in Kos, you cannot fail to enjoy its splendid beaches. Among the many, we mention the Kardamena beach, in the southern part, the Kefalos one, also in the south of the island, famous for its transparent waters with various clubs and the possibility of practicing water sports.

Finally, the wonderful beach of Mastichari, an exotic white sand beach with turquoise waters also equipped with a small port.

Chalki

Chalki or Halki is a small and wonderful island, once inhabited by fishermen who then emigrated elsewhere, located west of Rhodes. Far from mass tourism, today its houses have all been restored following the typical Greek architecture and are rented to tourists.Its 34 kilometers of coastline make it one of the smallest islands in the Dodecanese archipelago. The landscape that distinguishes it is mountainous with small and rocky beaches.

Among the places of interest, we mention the abandoned village of Hora.

Nimporio is the only town and the main port of the island.

Contact  now YBH Charter Brokers:

You can contact us by sending an email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or by phone, calling +39 33436 00997, available also on WhatsApp for both calls and texting.

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[greenbagjosh]

Feb 2006 Days 4 and 5 – cruise up the Bosphoros to Anadolu Kavagi and departure to BG and RO

EN Hi everyone, today we will have some sunlight, take a ferry north from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavagi with many stops along the way, enjoy a lahmacun and soup, get money out of an ATM, get to Sirkeci station for the night train and miss out on a whirling dervish performance and end the day by getting out of the train for an exit passport stamp.

 TR

Herkese merhaba, bugün biraz güneş ışığı alacak, Eminönü'nden kuzeye vapurla Anadolu Kavağı'na gidecek, lahmacun ve çorbanın tadını çıkaracak, ATM'den para alacağız, gece treni için Sirkeci istasyonuna gideceğiz ve kaçıracağız semazen gösterisinde ve çıkış pasaportu pulu için trenden inerek günü sonlandırın.

 BG

Здравейте всички, днес ще имаме малко слънчева светлина, ще вземем ферибот на север от Eminönü до Anadolu Kavagi с много спирки по пътя, насладете се на лахмакун и супа, вземете пари от банкомат, стигнете до гара Sirkeci за нощния влак и пропуснете на въртящо се дервишко представяне и завършете деня, като излезете от влака за печат за изходен паспорт.

 RO

Salut tuturor, astăzi vom avea puțină lumină solară, vom lua un feribot spre nord de la Eminönü la Anadolu Kavagi cu multe opriri de-a lungul drumului, savurăm un lahmacun și o supă, scoatem bani dintr-un bancomat, ajungem la stația Sirkeci pentru trenul de noapte și pierdem la un spectacol de derviș rotitor și încheiați ziua ieșind din tren pentru o ștampilă de pașaport de ieșire.

 SR

Поздрав свима, данас ћемо имати мало сунчеве светлости, трајектом северно од Еминону-а до Анадолу Каваги-а са много успутних стајалишта, уживати у лахмацуну и супи, извући новац из банкомата, доћи до станице Сиркеци за ноћни воз и пропустити на вртлог дервишке представе и завршите дан изласком из воза за излазни печат пасоша.

HU

Üdvözlet mindenkinek, ma napsütésünk lesz, komppal indulunk Eminönütől északra Anadolu Kavagi-ba, sok megállóval az út mentén, élvezzünk egy lahmacun-t és levest, szerezzünk pénzt egy ATM-ből, érjünk el az éjszakai vonatra Sirkeci állomásra és hagyjuk ki örvénylő dervis előadáson, és úgy fejezze be a napot, hogy kiszáll a vonatból egy kilépési útlevél bélyegzőért.

CZ

Ahoj všichni, dnes si dáme trochu slunečního světla, pojedeme trajektem na sever z Eminönü do Anadolu Kavagi s mnoha zastávkami, pochutnáváme si na lahmacunu a polévce, vyděláváme peníze z bankomatu, dostáváme se na stanici Sirkeci na noční vlak a zmeškáme na vířícím dervišském představení a den zakončíte vystoupením z vlaku pro razítko výstupního pasu.

 DE

Hallo allerseits, heute haben wir etwas Sonnenlicht, nehmen eine Fähre nördlich von Eminönü nach Anadolu Kavagi mit vielen Haltestellen auf dem Weg, genießen ein Lahmacun und eine Suppe, holen Geld aus einem Geldautomaten, fahren zum Bahnhof Sirkeci für den Nachtzug und verpassen es auf einer wirbelnden Derwischvorstellung und beenden Sie den Tag, indem Sie aus dem Zug aussteigen, um einen Ausreisestempel zu erhalten.

 Today is Sunday the 12th February 2006.  This would be my last day in Turkey.  I thought the previous day, why not to take a cruise up the Bosphoros?  Hopefully the weather will be nice.  Well at least in the morning it was.

 About 7 AM I had breakfast and then went to Eminönü to catch the ferry to Anadolu Kavagi.  It cost about $ 15.00 round trip.  The ride up would take at least an hour and a half, as it would stop at five different places, either on the European side or the Asian side.  I remember doing something similar with my parents in the 1970s, and back then it was easy to tell the European side from the Asian side.

 The ferry was ready to board about 9 AM.  It was better to be inside for most of the time, than to be on the outside except for the more interesting stops.  The weather at Eminönü was nice, the clouds were not particularly thick, but when the ferry passed Rumeli Hisari, coulds thickened up and it started to snow.  The next half hour it snowed but did not ice up the Bosphoros.  We stopped about four more times before ending up at Anadolu Kavagi.  Anadolu Kavagi is a tourist town on the Asian side, and has a military base.  For lunch I went to a small restaurant on Dolay Ck.  I ordered a lentil soup, lahmacun, and an Ayran, which is a yogurt drink.  I watched the snowfall outside the restaurant.  

 I wanted to get a good view of the Bosphoros, so I walked up Cafer Baba.  I saw the nearby hills covered with snow.  I could not stay much longer.  That was the last time I saw snow in Asia.

 I wanted to buy some provisions for the night's train travel, and I was running out of money. I found an ATM but it was inside the military base.  I asked permission to enter just to use the ATM.  The gentleman was very nice to allow me to enter, and once I withdrew my money, I left and went back into town.

 Once I returned to town, I bought some Efes beers and snacks for the night's train ride.  I also bought a copy of the day's edition of the "Hürriyet" newspaper, even if I could not speak Turkish.  To end, I had a couple of glasses of tea until it was time for the return journey.  The journey took an hour and a half to get back to Eminönü.  I took the tram back to Sultanahmet and walked back to the hotel. I asked for a ride to Sirkeci station, and someone volunteered to take me for 10 Lira, not a bad deal.  I packed up my belongings and about 6:30 PM I was at Sirkeci station.

 There was one last thing I wanted to do, but it would possibly make me miss my train from Sirkeci station to Bucharest.  I had supper, a lahmacun with seasoned onions and ayran, then took my luggage to the car where my compartment was located.  I had the compartment all to myself.  The train did not have a restaurant car of its own.  I had a sink and mirror and electric outlet.  The bathrooms were down the hall.  The train left Sirkeci station about 8:30 PM for the border at Kapikule, close to both the Bulgarian and Greek borders.  It seemed a bit slow, despite being an electrified route.  

 I went to sleep for a while until about 2 AM when the conductor knocked on my door to let me know that we were approaching the border and that everyone had to exit the train, in spite of the cold weather.  Everyone had to leave the train, line up at the customs building, get a "Cikis" stamp for exiting, and board the train again.  It was good to get back on the train.  The train passed Kapikule and crossed into Bulgaria.  

At Kapikule the electrification ended (there is a project to extend electrification to Bulgarian national rail standard) and thus the locomotives were switched from there until Dimitrovgrad where the electrification resumed.  When the train approached Kapitan Andreevo, the Bulgarian custom guards boarded, knocked on the compartment doors, saying "Passport control", and reading aloud passport numbers by walkie talkie.  My passport record was clean and I was given an entry stamp into Bulgaria.  It must have been about 4 AM when the train went on to Svilengrad, Dimitrovgrad, Shumen and Ruse.  About 8 AM I bought a cup of coffee for two euro.  I received a cup of coffee and a CFR (Romanian railways) packet of sugar.  That was the only "food and drink" I received that entire ride.  The train ride was very long, with an electric locomotive from Dimitrovgrad to Ruse, where it was swapped out with a diesel train to go to Giurgiu in Romania.  I also received an exit stamp at Ruse.  The train went along and crossed the Danube into Giurgiu, Romania.

 At Giurgiu, the train stopped for about an hour.  The weather looked fine, sunny with few clouds.  But the weather could change at any moment.  The Romanian customs agents took my passport into an office and I was worried for about half an hour.  I eventually received it back, with an entry stamp.  The train left maybe 6 PM and arrived at Bucharest Gara de Nord around 7:30 PM, and it started snowing.  

 If you come to Bucharest, always be careful of scammers.  Particularly luggage handlers and taxi drivers.  If you can use public transportation, know how to get to and from your hotel and do not ever depend on the luggage handlers or taxi drivers, as they can demand outrageous fees.  For example a taxi ride should cost less than $ 10.00.  Sometimes a person can be charged $ 30.00 or $40.00, maybe more.  I did end up at my hotel, although with $ 30.00 less cash than I expected.

 It was cold and I did not really want to go out that night.  The hotel had a restaurant and I ordered some soup and an Ursus beer.  Ursus is one of the major beer brands in Romania.  Then I went to sleep.

 EN

Next adventure – the Bucharest metrou, Piata Unirii and the Ceausescu presidential building, the infamous O-Zone song on CD, supplement for the sleeper for Sofia BG

 TR

Sıradaki macera - Bükreş metrosu, Piata Unirii ve Ceausescu başkanlık binası, CD'deki rezil O-Zone şarkısı, Sofia BG için uyuyan için ek

 BG

Следващо приключение - метрото в Букурещ, Piata Unirii и президентската сграда на Чаушеску, скандалната песен O-Zone на CD, добавка за спалния за София BG

 RO

Următoarea aventură - metrou bucureștean, Piața Unirii și clădirea prezidențială Ceaușescu, cântecul celebru O-Zone pe CD, supliment pentru dormitor pentru Sofia BG

 SR

Следећа авантура - метро у Букурешту, Пиата Унирии и председничка зграда Чаушескуа, злогласна песма О-Зоне на ЦД-у, додатак за спавање за Софију БГ

 HU

Következő kaland - a bukaresti metrou, a Piata Unirii és a Ceausescu elnöki épülete, a hírhedt O-Zone dal CD-n, kiegészítés Szófia BG alvójához

 CZ

Další dobrodružství - metra v Bukurešti, Piata Unirii a prezidentská budova Ceausescu, nechvalně známá píseň O-Zone na CD, doplněk pro pražce pro Sofii BG

 DE

Nächstes Abenteuer - die U-Bahn von Bukarest, Piata Unirii und das Präsidentengebäude von Ceausescu, das berüchtigte O-Zone-Lied auf CD, Zuschlag für den Schlafwagen von Sofia BG

[afrojonathan]

Day 19: Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is a chaotic feast for the senses, and I (mostly) love it. I can’t stress enough how insane it is. But first, in the interest of being boring and chronological, let’s talk flights (I think this is what they say in the biz is “burying a lead”).

My 11-hour flight to Istanbul wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. I didn’t sleep much the night before (by design), so it was pretty easy to just pop on a flick (my second-only movie, in the theaters or at home, since 2017 [the first being Rocketman a few months back]) and zone out. Other than the jarringly loud announcements from time to time, I was able to pass out with a good travel pillow (TRTL v2). The only real issue is my ankles were pretty swollen (this would affect me later).

In Istanbul, I had ~7 hours to kill in the massive airport, but opted to find a comfy chair and sleep for most of it. All the marketing for Turkey did its job, as I was very intrigued to come back for a visit. I thought about it for this trip, but it’s not recommended by the US government. Not sure if things will calm down (crazy dictator), but if so, it seems a worthwhile trip. Again, great marketing!

I wasn’t thrilled to support an airport Starbucks, thinking how I’d rather support a small business...then I realized we’re in a massive airport. None of these are small businesses. I then felt justified my boring globalism choice.

Upon landing in Morocco, I was pleased to see that while it was hot, it was nothing compared to Qatar earlier in the trip (95 vs 115). I got a transfer to my hostel (more of a luxe hotel), and quickly started to realize just how careful I’m going to need to be around the mopeds that seemingly whip out of every nook and cranny. As my brother Garrett said, “you’d think there’d be no way a moped could be here” and, yup, there it is! And it’s going outrageously fast!

I also checked with my driver how my Arabic pronunciation was for “hello/peace be with you” (a salaam alaikum) and “thank you” “shukran”. I got the thumbs up, perhaps out of politeness, but it gave me confidence. 

Once checked in, my first move was to try to find a pharmacy (my mistake was A) losing my hair product and B) not getting contact solution in Cape Town). I dressed appropriately(ish) with long pants and a linen shirt, and off I went into the medina (the crazy markets of the old town). It is pretty chaotic. People beckon you at all times, and you really need to be headstrong and ignore them. One guy kept following/leading me via moped for a few minutes even though I never once said a word to him. It’s rather annoying, but important not to get rattled. 

The pharmacy was closed, and of course, many other people tried ushering me into another store when they heard me ask. I eventually found a barber who sold me some product after haggling, but it turns out it’s not really what I needed. This would not be the first incorrect hair product I bought.

I went back to the hostel to regroup for a second, as it’s really quite an intense and amazing experience (I thought, not yet knowing the insanity that night would bring). I then found a cab station to take me to the “new city” to go to a pharmacy. I haggled the price here, because of course. 

The gentleman spoke very little English, and clearly did not know of an open pharmacy (it was Sunday afternoon, after all), so we drove around for quite a while. He was asking people on the street, and eventually we found one that only had 1 of the 3 things I needed (toothpaste, not contact solution or hair product. I was proud of my miming skills here, as that interaction with the pharmacist was English-free). I got a ride back to the “old city” market area, and stopped at a rooftop restaurant for some Couscous Royal. I feel I may have paid the tourist price (~$10), but it was a peaceful and breezy respite from the markets below. After eating, I was back to the hostel for just a moment before venturing out into the medina at night. This is where the real sensory overload takes hold.

I noted my swollen ankle was bothering me a fair bit, but there’s nowhere really to even sit and pause a moment, The second you take out your phone or stop walking, you’re being harassed. Completely ignoring folks and not making eye contact is super key. I first headed towards a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Djemaa el Fna Square, but on the way, winding through so many streets. Your eyes feast on the colors of blankets, lamps, t-shirts, random toys, etc while your nose enjoys the popcorn, spices, candies, hookah, etc. The medina was so much more crowded at night, which actually made me feel safer. I stood out less in the crowd, and wasn’t harassed quite as much. Plus, at least I was trying to fit in the culturally appropriate dress, versus the tourists wearing shorts, skirts, tank tops, etc. I even at one point saw a group that looked confused and out of place and I said “stupid tourists” as if I’m not one. Yes, perhaps I’m not blending in, but I’m not overtly sticking out. 

Adding to the insanity and throngs of people is the fact that folks are regularly mo-pedding through this all. You think “this place is wall to wall people, no way a moped will try get through this. Incorrect you would be! It could be scary for sure, but you realize the locals seemingly know what they’re doing, aren’t drunk (Muslim country after all) and probably won’t hit you if you don’t make any sudden moves. I did get a wee bit clipped (just an arm hair), and you note many of the bikes are missing a mirror (probably dinged off on a tourist’s elbow). Now, the biggest problem is it seems they rent these to tourists as well, so every so often you see an uneasy foreigner trying to navigate, which throws the whole delicately balanced chaos into unbalanced chaos. I saw 2 minor moped-to-moped collisions, but they seemed relatively unphased by it all. It’s all insane, and they really should not be renting mopeds to tourists. At all. But I imagine if you’re willing to pay, you can get anything. (Including a “drug dealer” who whispered to me that he could get me hashish).

With my valuables wedged in my tight pants pockets, I moved through the crowd with what I thought was a perfect speed. Not so fast that I couldn’t take it all in, but not so slow as to get harassed by the shopkeeps. I made it to the Djemaa el Fna Square, and I’m not sure anything could have prepared me for this.

There were so many brightly lit stands set up in a massive square (so, a very different feel than the narrow, windy streets I was just in, and it reminded me a bit of the madness of Oktoberfest). Merchants and people everywhere. There were street performers banging drums and dancing. There were snake charmers wailing on flutes and men carrying monkeys (I tried to pay them little mind as I believe this is a very bad practice for all animals involved, and if you look too long, you’re being harassed). Men are hocking balloons and light up aerial toys. There are women proselytizing in Arabic and crowds cheering and applauding. In Arabic, whatever they’re saying sounds so violet/guttural to my ignorant ears, but they’re probably just speaking about equality or something. I did my best to be a New Yorker, taking in everything around me without being obvious, even as my senses were being assaulted. Except for buying more (ineffective) hair product. 0/2, and this trend would continue.

At the far end of the square and across a street was a mosque (I think) with a massive tower that was doing the call to prayer. Never sure if it’s OK to take pictures during that time, I was surreptitious with my picture taking (as I was in the medina markets as well). But let’s talk about crossing streets.

I consider myself a savvy and aggressive street-crosser, but this was at a whole new level. People are weaving between fast-moving cars and mopeds, the green walk sign is merely a suggestion (the traffic keeps creeping through the throngs of people), and when the green walk sign goes away with no warning, do NOT be in the street. My sore ankle needed to propel me mere feet away (like, one meter, to use local measurements) from fully accelerating traffic.

I noted all the colorful dressings of the women in burkas, surprised with the fact that the standard black was not all that common. I ended up taking a few surreptitious pictures of these women in front of the tower as well, but tried not to be disruptive. I’m the right kind of tourist! (This is what I tell myself).

Back into the medina to do some more exploring and sneaky picture taking. One man said to me “sir, what kind of spice do you want”, and I wondered why he thought I would want a pile of turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, or anything else. My ankle was really bothering me now, but I was so enchanted by the medina at night. The shops on the outskirts started to close at 9, and this is where it starts to get creepy. If you stay in the well lit and heavily-populated areas, all good. However, it is very easy to take a turn (or just keep walking straight) and end up in a more locals part of the market where you are really standing out. This was not the best, and it felt like a race against time as I was trying to head out and back to my hostel. As you’re walking, things get less lit, and shops are shuddering loudly all around you. 

I felt I had overstayed my welcome, and now people kept telling me it was closed and tried ushering me in different directions. It was getting harder to ignore folks now as they were touching me and trying to corral me towards “the exits”. Perhaps they were well-intentioned, but I don’t think everyone there is “my friend”, as they say. I continued to not talk to people and stormed past them, definitely on high alert as I backtracked towards the populated area, being followed and harassed. This is one thing I learned quickly - in NY, I never try to backtrack, always looking “cool” and knowing where I’m going. Here, you’ll hit dead ends where you shouldn’t be. You need to suck it up and walk right back past the people who are trying to wrangle you.

I made it back to the crowds and action (I could tell because there were people in shorts and t-shirts [damn tourists!]), but realized this was a temporary reprieve. I would likely need to go back to the quieter areas en route to my hostel. The internetz weren’t working, so I couldn’t get directions (instead following along my map as it was tracking my movements, but couldn’t tell me specifically where to go). I tried to really look purposeful with my walking, as any time you pull out your phone “my friend” is bellowed towards you and people try to send you one way or another. I also was kind of limping now due to my ankle, which, too, was unideal. 

I finally navigated (some by memory, though the medina looks so different at night) and some by barely working map back to the hostel, and found myself involuntarily and audibly sigh with relief. I loved the experience, but the constant needing to be on your guard, and the end of the night where I felt a bit helplessly lost was a bit much. Plus, y’know, I had flown 17 hours and had a 7-hour layover prior to all of this. 

‘Zauhsted, I hit the hay at 10:30, looking forward to the insane adventures that Morocco held for me the next day.

[michellelewis7162]

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 Airport Transfers - Painless, Stress Free and Simple

 Dealing with the large quantity of merchandise modern-day opportunities can easily confirm tough and must steer through countless web traffic lines up is actually not precisely the ideal technique to start your relaxing vacation of a lifetime. For instance in Edenbridge, one of the absolute most checked out spots on earth, traffic may be verify to be actually hideous as well as the idea of trying to drive on your own to your holiday destination might trigger unknown stress and anxiety. Therefore prior to you land in Edenbridge, it is vital to hire trusted airport terminal moves Edenbridge companies. Envision obtaining off your plane, getting your bags and going straight to your Driver at the conceded meeting place and afterwards moving straightaway to your resort or apartment or condo. Convenience itself. To ensure your journey is this easy, you must work with the companies of an Edenbridge move company which is actually operated through people along with significant expertise within this area Hadlow Taxis.

 Likewise, if you want Turkey, you need to locate a firm who can easily make certain secure forward trip in registered vehicles as well as who can easily deliver a wide array of services including shuttle, personal transmissions etc. Your vacation is vital to you and you require to know that your safety as well as demands are actually served for by a provider which takes pride in offering safe, reliable transmission solutions. You also need to know that the provider which are offering your Turkey flight terminal transfers do thus in roadworthy vehicles that comply with all neighborhood security rules - so see to it you make use of the services of a created, trusted transfer company.

 When you choose the services of a transactions company for any region like Malta flight terminal transfers, you need to have to make certain that automobiles are preserved so as to deliver a secure as well as comfortable adventure. There are an enhancing amount of individuals that are searching for Executive or VIP Malta flight terminal transactions services, however lots of firms additionally deliver Malta flight terminal shuttle transfer services and also personal shuttle solutions, every one of which guarantee you reach your destination promptly as well as properly so your holiday season may actually begin.

 Faro is actually another exceptionally well-liked holiday place. For a stress and anxiety free journey, it is much better to make a reservation for Faro transfer solutions in breakthrough of your travel. The absolute most exciting perk of Faro airport transfer companies is actually that these specialists appreciate the time of their clients. They prepare to grab and leave their consumers on opportunity and conserve them from any kind of tension throughout their vacation Hadlow Taxis.

 Paris transfers pay for the holidaymaker the capacity to relax as quickly as they leave the plane, as they can easily leave the stress and anxiety of the Paris website traffic to their chauffeur that has actually fulfilled all of them at the airport. The airport terminal transmission organizations make sure that the holiday season starts in the best blood vessel as the tourist can easily take advantage of the trip and also reach their place on time. While booking your Paris flight terminal moves online, you may choose from a range of services as well as at costs to satisfy any wallet.

[champagnespankzandbacon]

Sunday evening, and it seemed like a good idea…after at glass of rose’.  “I’m going on a cleanse!”…I bellowed to my husband. He has been on a ‘eating healthier and working out more’ routine. He randomly drops to the floor and does sets of 40 push ups. He has also been knocking out more reading; which is NOT my thing. And he listens to a lot of Podcasts…which I do enjoy. But one of the books/podcasts he told me about was “Fit for Life”, in which the dude eats ONLY fruit until noon every day and has for 20 years! Twenty. Twenty years. If some dude can do it for twenty years, surely I can do it for a week!? Right? So, Monday morning…off to the grocery we went (before I changed my mind) and bought ALL of the veggies and fruits we could agree on, and some we didn’t…and coconut milk, coconut water, coconut blend. Here we GO! This blog will be a daily recap & proof of me not killing anyone due to lack of intake of pasta and champagne…. #pray #alliby

See…random push up sessions. Moe is NOT impressed.

Monday 4pm. Well,  I kind of want a huge bowl of pasta and bacon right now. Really, it’s not too bad. Breakfast; I had a smoothie. Got the banana, strawberries and mango out and I was ready to go. Now, I have never cut a mango. And apparently there is a method and I didn’t do it right…so the little punk ended up butchered and in the trash. Fail #1. But I sure did enjoy my banana, strawberry and orange smoothie! Lunch was a tomato and avocado salad….if I closed my eyes, I almost fooled myself to think it was cake. #AtLeastIdidntCutMyself #damnMango #EveryoneISstillAlive

yes, I know this is a bit obsence. I have to entertain myself…

Tuesday Morning.  I’m not “I need to eat a snickers hungry”…but I sure would like some bacon. Instead, I took my frustration out on a watermelon. I was not happy finding out that it was not seedless. But I guess that means it has not been genetically modified? Hell, I don’t know. I do know that it took me twice as long to cut it up and clear all the seeds out before storing it….that was fun. I better feel like Superwoman at the end of this week.

Tuesday Lunch. I just ate enough watermelon to sustain a small vegan army….or at least to make me pee every 20 minutes for the next several hours. Sidebar; I really need to wash my hair, but I am not mentally prepared to blow dry it. #ugh

Tuesday night. I broke. A soon as the hubby got home from work…”Open the liquor cabinet”. You see, we have it locked because we have two boys, and we aren’t stupid. But, I didn’t fall tooooo far off the ‘raw wagon’. In fact, it wasn’t even off the seat of the wagon! It was a 1/2 a shot of Tito’s (Gluten, fat, carb & sugar free), sparkling water and watermelon…and I do have to say it was quite tasty. Dinner wasn’t to yummy, I am not going to lie. I can’t even type it out…the poor hubby ate it with me. #blessHim

Gluten Free, Organic 🙂 and VERY refreshing!

Wednesday Morning….we are on the road to NOLA. (business dinner) But, I mean really? I have to do this in the BEST place to eat in the country? shit. But, no worries…this OCD chick already looked at the menu online and I know exactly what I’m going to order for dinner. Lunch consisted of sashimi & mineral water with lime at Tsunami’s…I can’t complain about that!!! And I got a compliment on my outfit as SOON as I walked in the door. That will put some wind in your ‘raw’ sails! #yaaasQueen

I am realizing that it is VERY hard to come to NOLA and be at our favorite hotel, even thought this trip is for business for the hubs, and NOT drink and eat my heart out. This is the ultimate test. I mean, that is what you do…when in Rome.  At the current moment, I am trying to convince the hubs to stop working for 15 min and come downstairs with me to the Carousel Bar, sit in our favorite spot and people watch with me. #hesNotMoving #WorkWork #MayhaveToshowSomeCleveage #Kidding!

The hubs is on call after call for work… So I go downstairs to get inspired. Notice my ROAR organic drink in the corner of the pic? OMG…SO good! He is NOT moving from this spot anytime soon….he loves his job, thank goodness! #lovethatman

Now I’m sitting in a window seat…writing, watching. I LOVE people watching. And in NOLA there is a never-ending stream of entertainment. Locals, NOLA regulars, tourists, street performers, suits…and it was about 3ish and this is the time where the ‘day shift’ is heading out of the French Quarter and the ‘night shift’ is heading in. Oh…and of course, a bachelorette party. Complete with open toed high heels and headed straight for the street slime of Bourbon Street! Hep C here we come! Kidding…but for realz. Bless their little 24 yr old hearts. #NightTime #OnlyPediCab #orUberforMe #ILOVENolaButIDontlikeSlimeOnMyShoes

Thursday…I wake to the hubby typing away, getting ready for an early business breakfast. He hears me stirring and offers me a “hot tea”. HOT TEA? “I would like a coffee, please put me a k-cup to brew.” I am a coffee drinker. Even with this raw diet thing, coffee is a NON negotiable. First I drink the coffee then I do the things….and I am NOT very pleasant before coffee. The hubs looks at me with this cute grin and says “I drank both of the coffee cups…you can run one of the pods again…?.” (my eyes are about to pop out of my head).  “No” I say in disgust, disappointment, “I will order room service and it will be here in 2 hours…”  Good thing Monteleone room service has always been quick and within 20 min I had my coffee and fruit tray. Praise the coffee gods! In the hubs defense, he did offer to shower and go downstairs and get me a cup of coffee. But, in my coffee-less decision-making, I opted for room service. #ItwasAGoodChoice

Friday. Still eating fruit.

Saturday morning, I went to a local organic farmers market, Inglewood Farms, and stocked up on veggies, some chicken, eggs, even bacon! I picked up what I thought was squash & zucchini …turns out it was cucumbers. #fail #IDidntKnowThereWereYellowCucumbers? #farmersMarketGoober #IdespiseCucumbers

For lunch, we went to our usual Saturday lunch spot. Spirits food & friends in Alexandria, LA. It is a SUPER yummy restaurant and locally owned. If you are ever in Alex, stop in and eat/drink there. Really cool outdoor patio, pet friendly…if your dog is cool, LOL. Now, it is VERY hard to go here and not just chow down. But I was very good, had the Tuna Poke. Great as usual and I had only one champs cocktail, not as usual. I mean, I have been good for 6 days! My body is sooooo used to champs almost everyday. It was so good, not going to lie.

Sunday. Trip to Monroe for Fathers Day church and lunch for the hubs grandfather who is a young 94. Backing it up a few…while we are getting ready, I ask the hubs “Where are we going for lunch?” He tells me…they are just doing something easy and picking up pizza. (Well, that is just great. I am glad I asked! Men….) So, in a rush, I pack up my lunch; fruit, an avocado, etc. in my chilled bag and we get on the road.  It was a lovely day and the hubs even stopped at a grocery before church and I picked up some fresh sushi…all was forgiven. (got rid of most of the rice)

Sunday night. Chicken Cordon Blue-ish was on the menu. Now I call it ‘ish’ because I adapted the recipe…on the fly. I hammered out the pasture raised, organic chicken breasts and stuffed with fresh, organic dino kale, that had been lightly sautéed in non-salted, organic butter and garlic. Then laid down Turkey slices and a small amount of shredded mozz cheese. (the only think that was not organic on this dish was the sliced turkey, mozz cheese and bread crumbs). Rolled each up and secured with toothpics…in the oven for 50 min at 350. In the meantime, I decided to try something I had NEVER done before. Now, I am a night owl, and my nighttime routine, after everyone else gets fed and to bed is a little TV time. I DVR my shows and BRAVO, HGTV and Food Network are the majority of the recordings. I have been on a “The Next Food Network Star” kick and recently they made hollandaise sauce from scratch and topped over a perfectly poached egg. Like old school way, in the pot, with vinegar, stirring and dropping in the egg… I AM ON IT! I can DO THIS! So out comes the organic eggs I just got the day before at the farmers market…and I am ready to make some sauce and poach some eggs!

HOLY MOLY…nothing will show you how OUT of shape you are in your forearms like whisking a hollandaise sauce for 5 minutes straight, then over the water for 15 seconds…then off…then more wisking… then adding components and wisking the whole time. I felt like a beast! Now on the poaching. Im not going to bore you with the details, but lets just say I may have missed my calling! My first three poached eggs were perfection. I placed them on top of the Cordon Blue-ish….and sweet mother of organics, it was heaven on a plate! I wish I would have videoed the moment we cut into the egg. I was really proud of myself! Here is the recipie for Gordon Ramseys Eggs Benedit..it has the poach & sauce directions. I encourage you to YouTube if you have never done it before. I didn’t use tarragon, and added more lemon juice…I like my sauce tangy.

Monday….I made it. One week of eating RAW. I weighed myself and I gained a lb. WHAT the heck? But I FEEL different, I am sleeping better, my clothes fit better. My IBS isn’t toooo much better, but that is a whole different issue. I didn’t do this to loose weight, although I can see it having that effect in the long run. I did this for health, to feel better.

So what did I learn and what will I do from this point on? I learned that I CAN do what I set my mind to do, no matter how difficult it may seem at first. I thought…No Champagne for a week? RAW for a week? WHAT??  It is one day at a time, one meal at a time, one choice at a time.  I will continue with the fruit until noon, occasional splurges, I’m sure. (#brunch) I will READ labels more. We put CRAP in our bodies and in our kids bodies. Stop that shit! I will use organic more…and we used organic a lot, but I can do better for me and my family.  If only there was organic champagne…

You, me, we…WE CAN do what we set our minds and bodies to do. Are you scared to challenge yourself? To try something new? Whatever you are finding yourself up against…just try it. What is the worst that could happen? You could fail, yes. So what! Who freaking cares. You could also totally win and rock it! And friends, it is so worth trying. 

Much Love

KP

My “Raw” Week Sunday evening, and it seemed like a good idea...after at glass of rose'.  "I'm going on a cleanse!"...I bellowed to my husband.

[justforustravel-blog]

If Homesickness Gets In The Hands Of 20 Things - #APhillyCheesesteak, #Eggplant, #FreshPretzelBagels, #Homesickness, #NationalComfort, #Peppers, #Tomatoes, #TurkishMarket

New Post has been published on http://justforustravel.com/2017/10/12/if-homesickness-gets-in-the-hands-of-20-things/

If Homesickness Gets In The Hands Of 20 Things

Homesickness homesickness is hard… like a leaf driven away from there stricken the winds of her life in a new land and trying to hold on despite all this, the homesickness, attract, in our opinion, a hat is an art in itself to be issued. You to satisfy that longing we have listed 20 beautiful things you miss. Let’s see which one you miss the most from you? I mean come on now, longing for those who wish to resolve.

1. There’s the main course?

Photo: Gabriele Galimberti – if delicates with love project

Drop the country you live in a foreign land,if you travel to the world’s highest quality restaurants you miss mom’s food. Forced many of them when I was little ‘a spoon, a spoon’ he ate even if he was once again out of the throat, the flavor is not forgotten. Keep in mind that a lifetime of each flavor, even if you don’t understand, only what you put into your mother.

2. Oh Were a pita…

How Vollkornbrot nor Ciabatta… Never right around the corner it wouldn’t cost us anything out of the oven sesame, warm pita our place. Especially in Ramadan’tu; tables and rejoices with pita. Sometimes four, sometimes five is divided into, but always combine, everyone at the same table. Already beauty, sincerity, isn’t it? So the crown of the head of the table, cut the dough into ozlenmi.? What a warm butter that have been driven on while…

3. No brother I don’t pay I wouldn’t pay

let’s face it, generous, well-mannered and friendly nation. Whoever’s on our side, let us share something we would like to accompany us who you are, let’s order. Come to that abroad, are a different story. Note that this does not discard into your hand in your pocket and also self-Muslim foreigners, even as she offered to pay immediately I accept pay pay, they don’t and that’s fine brother, I’m not yaptirtmiy arbitrary. If you’re abroad, even if you’re going to miss it.

4. Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant!

Country paved with gold, we agree with you about this. But the stone, what grows above the ground if they are there. There really aren’t like out there; what tomato tomato, cucumber cucumber nor looks like he’s on vacation. That fragrant fruit and vegetables of our country; it’s hard to find here in the flesh like a marshmallow. Antalya Tomatoes of homesickness that makes me miss this man’ni, Çengelköy Cucumber’ni.

5. Simiiiiiiitciiiiyeeee, fresh pretzel bagels!

Oh a nice brewing tea, cheese and bagels had… we are sure that we like the name from often said. Germany’s a bit lucky maybe a Turkish market you’s the Germans, or you can find te’s Pretzel’ini you can try. But whatever you do, the taste of fresh bagels in the air, the other one, I forget her? Especially if it’s freshly baked and warm, the smoke still if it keeps the bagels on the counter, I don’t taste it.

6. National Comfort

we have to accept that we are a nation pretty comfortable. Our vacation to travel, to play and to have fun; we’re fond of being together as a family. How far we go, this we can’t give up our passion. Abroad for even a minute value, and there is not a shortage of social activity here on holidays you know. Go for coffee and backgammon throw, or stand up in front of the door the five o’clock tea and chat you longing to escape to the neighbors he’s on vacation. After eating, sleep, work, coffee in between, the legendary breakfast at the first light of day we love very much.

7. Yay The Freedom Toilet.

‘the tourists also learned that learned everything a bidet!’ what he says We don’t hear. Really interestingly, especially abroad in Europe’s also the convenience that it provides and the value of living as foreigners bidet, freedom know very well. We who do not believe in the cleansing without touching the water, the Turks, wet wipes, dry wipes nor alone we know. After all, holding the bleeding wound on the water, on the balcony, even with the hose that cleans we are a nation. So we have returned back to the soil of your homeland, it is their right to the enjoyment of a solid Toilet biggest. Respect!

8. Family bliss

in the ceiling of the family and family values in our country, sometimes being away from family can be devastating. If you live abroad and you left someone behind you if you can’t is you. Hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds count and you to be reunited with their loved ones. The warm arms of the mother, the Father, the Compassionate words of their brother or brother/sister, you’d miss. What is possible to break away from the family, carry them in your heart wherever you go. Our family situation Barber Mustafa’s Yi; Mehmet kahveci’ayse or neighboring I’s even sometimes you can’t forget yi. You’ve been a good friend, they’re like family. Especially if you love the heart you when you go abroad, it just that you can’t fire out and the years pass.

9. The flavor of the sake for forty years

Espresso? It’s very hard. Filter Coffee? It has no taste. Latte? Very Milky. Americano? Like juicy. Mocha? What this all foam, etc., etc… None does not hold our coffee in our place, none of them have to say beautiful country. After lunch, your Turkish coffee foamy huplettim’t what what remains Is stone. You can’t get far enough to taste the grounds. Next to remember this is friendly Turkish coffee. When the shopping center was Espresso, Turkish coffee is the corner drugstore. Pine, especially slow-cooked cream puffs on the side if there……

10. Every door that opens Our Locksmith

when’s the last sneak sips a cup of tea at an altitude of? When was the last time you lifted his glass with your loved ones? Raki, one of the most beautiful cultures, that is. We didn’t say to only alcohol in our cultural situation. Locksmith’s Supper, the sincerity of. Your manager at work buddy you are the other woman, heart and soul you are friends, your father, and confidant that is a table. What Ireland’s whiskey that you could also build it with him, nor Germany’also with beer. Easy to fit, difficult to peel off. If you have a little appetizer, the taste was always to the palate.

11. Available Bi’!

Dolmuşta ozlenir you, sister, I warned you. We miss. There is the comfort of the minibus? The money that extended from the back, gear selector, the Rosary, the Visor posted by ‘praise God, and God, the Most Merciful’s that feeling of safe travel… abroad, especially in the developed countries which you will find the convenience of full? Turkey’s ordeal about call abroad but stay with the candle between short distances. Dolmus such a love love. Let captain somewhere down available!

12. Sun, sea, beach

Advanced triple, great striker. We ever missed, are they? Also if you’re in a rainy climate, call candle Turkey’s beaches. Sparkling Sea, beaches and water sports and the mind to always remain in the background. Ibiza’s or nice’unless you’re from home.

13. Plenty Spicy Adana, Bi’ S Half Alexander

if the culture, taste it, if tastes, lunch, dinner. What we have. If you live abroad, you miss to the left and to the right or longing shawarma joint about the flavors that taste forgot. Plenty of Adana at an angle, bi’ s half iskender, lahmacun and copsise who says no? Once you’ve whiff more, the tastes that will make you feel right at home.

14. Shell gas’s shirt from the waist, come on, SIS General!

Photo: mezitli.gov.tr

the legendary Us our markets our vendor and legend in… Dec EU’s eat in the process of integration, even Europe’s trouble is another factor that makes you feel at home or our Mart. Take your car and you there, the market is saturated runs out to shop to travel. Both AVM’s muffled, dull weather; expensive prices. Enjoy endless shopping, have intimacy and cheaply made. They know Turks who live in more developed countries; shopping is difficult, it is expensive. So we have returned from abroad and Turkey’s eat; in the early days and in the last days, go shopping, and not necessarily robust.

15. They will put the house in the high hills

two beautiful and fancy henna night weddings that are specific to US culture. Transition moments with a cocktail or a simple wedding in the countryside is not our culture never. Henna that will burn, halay will be drawn to cry, the bride, the groom and the bride’s aunt’s aunt’s uncle of the cousin of the children of grandchildren on the scene the two will play. Weddings we know you’re eager for summer to begin even these circumstances. Sometimes it is possible for a wedding or a bridal path of a thousand miles. But truth be told; we are ahead of recreation open to all nationalities from the heart Dec.

16. Move for the sake of

the traffic of foreigners to our country missed. The competition is Istanbul’s attendees dan ‘fuck you’ s hear you say we don’t, but when you go abroad, in order that traffic on the road lines, no pedestrian lights, Bicycle lamp, no people’s China to the top of the beats. You couldn’t handle scissors on the way, you couldn’t open the window what will you do with the traffic? Wipe the glass once the US traffic, selling water, there are even services that don’t even look at Fortune. All Inclusive is the motto the throne of hearts with the Qur’an in our country to traffic in Istanbul traffic-in our opinion-a really fun (!)

17. Sound I need Sound

Abroad silence, calmness of be like out there for you to actually understand and you don’t need to be bored. A two-day short overseas visits, you realize the genius. When you open that window and see if there is anyone walking down the street you’ll be paranoid from unemployment. In some places street lights for electricity savings does not burn, you hold the light in front of it with your phone. Tonight 5’after ten, the orphan-turned-European countries especially, guy pisses me off. However, the country’s in? Night life, fun, likes to gossip go to the park and garden citleyer worst we are a nation to the core.

18. Icy Cold Water As Nails.

water ozlenir foreigners also don’t say, we missed it. Carbonated water in the country, especially in the ceiling of the fresh normal water it can be difficult to find sasal. Also in everyday life, on the outside in a cafe or a dinner if you’re thirsty for big trouble. Interestingly, normal drinking water in most places; more expensive than soda. You’re staying dehydrated as foreigners, so to speak. When she returned to the country, drink and can’t get enough, you’re addicted sasal water. Many foreigners as a sponsor, so Ali Dede’s, Fatma Ana’s sake you can’t drink the water.

19. A Philly cheesesteak, Koko, Koko

a Philly cheesesteak’s not to love they loved and there are many. But love is the greatest meals of meat offal ozletir can receive a even homesickness. Where you’ll find out that Turkey’s from somewhere else? Tell me, You know, how there are many countries where its selling price is reasonable? In our opinion, a complete culture. The smell of it, the texture of your insides, your stomach extending from the adventure… Ok, we got a little carried away, but this offal are eaten so. Lamb, tripe trotters are among the other alternatives also. Like any of them, you’ll find out there, unfortunately. If he’s not on vacation, cherish it while you still have time and 20. go and reward yourself kokorecci proceeding to the nearest item.

20. The best of the corner

a corner of warm bread out of the oven, in our opinion, is at the heart of the corners. Where is the Oven, where the country while in a foreign land? When we were kids go in the oven, warm bread Baker took her hand and stops all the corners until I got home the days you eat comes to mind. Even the longing for fresh bread 70 cents stay away. Crunchy crust, soft like cotton. This place miss you, come back come on now.

Flickr users for photos dirty gorgeous pancake, Başak Ekinci, Dean Sharesk, petit1ze, Context Travel, Longing Ozgobek, a4gpa, Jessica Parker, Berge Gazen, Robert U, sindre Mercedes Drunk, Stu_Spivack, Simon Q, Wijnants Roel, Glasseyes_View, public domain pictures, and Steve Counsell nurettin mert Aydin, Emre and active Wikipedia user.D ‘thank ye.

[foamingkitty]

Weekend Getaway: Istanbul

Born and bred in London, Alara Hindle studied Islamic Art and Archaeology at Oxford, and was then sent to work in the magnificent Topkapi Palace in Turkey. Once there,  she met and fell in love with her husband, and has been living in Istanbul ever since! Two daughters (eight and three-years-old) and a beloved art space/shop/café for children (called LOLA) later, they are now contemplating moving back to the UK to set out on some new adventures as a family in the British countryside! Alana kindly offered to share her insider tips for Istanbul and I just got really excited to receive them. Istanbul just hopped up many notches on our list of places we want to visit. It sounds so wonderfully kid-friendly, cultural… and delicious! Here is Alara’s guide:

A family-friendly guide to Istanbul:

Istanbul is a bridge between East and West, literally and culturally. I have lived here for 17 years now and it pulls you in daily with all its contradictions, with its noises and smells, its traffic and the beautiful Bosphorus, its modern shopping malls and Ottoman mosques, its exciting nightlife and historical hamams. Since having children, it has also shown another face: the kindness people always show to little ones, their hospitality, the wonderful fresh food, the cultural and artistic options, the four seasons (from snow storms in January to scorching heat in August!). It is an easy short plane ride from most European cities, and a long weekend is enough to get the feel of this special place… Late Spring, when the weather is still mild, yet skies are sparkling blue and the Judas trees and magnolias blossom along the Bosphorus, is my favourite time, and there are fewer tourists around. Here are my tips:

DO:

For me, with a background in the History of Art, Istanbul offers some fabulous historical sites to visit with the kids, from Hagia Sophia to the Topkapi Palace, from the Blue Mosque to Rumeli Castle. Some of our favourites though are lesser-known, smaller places which are much more accessible for children and less overwhelming. Chora, an old Byzantine Greek Church, has some stunning frescoes and mosaics, and my little girls never cease to enjoy looking up at the gilded painted ceilings and making up stories about the golden characters around them! The Basilica Cistern, a big underground water reservoir built for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, is just stunning, and the hauntingly romantic watery construction filled with marble columns has both children and adults alike mesmerized! Don’t forget to check out the Medusa’s head.

Istanbul also has some great museums. One of our favourites is definitely Istanbul Modern, situated in the cool area of Karakoy. Right on the Bosphorus and with stupendous views of the old city, it’s a perfect example of the juxtaposition of Modern and Ancient in Istanbul. With great programmes for children, a fantastic restaurant, and a brilliant ceiling of hanging books on the lower floor, we are regulars! Another of our haunts is Sakip Sabanci Museum, located in a less central area of the city, a neighbourhood where many expats and families with children live. This old ‘Yali’ surrounded by beautiful gardens, has hosted exhibitions from Picasso to Anish Kapoor, from Miro to Monet (check their site for information on current exhibitions).

Istanbul has some wonderful old districts which are fun to walk around with children. Cukurcuma is one of our favourites, with a host of galleries, small designer shops and antique stores, as well as cafes and bars. We love Ayse Orberk, a tastefully cluttered antique shop (as soon as you walk in you feel like you have walked into someone’s (very) elegant and tasteful home!), and Muz, which sells beautiful little terrariums and plants, woven wall hangings and other special little objects. Our favorite café here is Cuma, which has a fantastic menu to please all, as well as a little room with toys and books to entertain the kids! Balat is also a new and upcoming old area which is being fast gentrified… It is lovely to walk around its narrow streets and look at all the beautiful old buildings, as well as the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and High School (keep in mind this is also close to Chora). We love to have Turkish pizza or ‘Lahmacun’ at Forno, and coffee and cake at the fabulous Coffee Department.

With the Bosphorus playing such an essential part in the story of this beautiful city, a must do is to take some sort of boat tour along its shores. We love the little boat from Emirgan to Kanlica where we eat traditional Turkish yogurt sprinkled with lashings of sugar. As well as being the location of the above-mentioned Sabanci Museum, Emirgan also has a nice park, one of the larger ones in the city, with great play spaces for kids, as well as a fantastic pizza restaurant on the shore called Pizza Emirgan. It is also nice to take a small ferry from Bebek, another pretty little area with a small park, great restaurants and cafes, and some fantastic boutiques. (Mangerie is a lovely little restaurant with great food and a lovely view.  Midnight Express has a wonderful collection of designer clothes such as Masscob and Gul Hurgel, jewellery from Kismet and home wares from Santimetre Studio).

The Princes islands are also a lovely day out, just a ferry away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Buyukada is our favourite, a place I used to visit every summer as a kid! Children love the fact that there are no cars and you go everywhere by horse and carriage, and the calls of the ‘dondurmaci’ (ice cream man who moves around the island in the afternoons calling out to the local children). I would recommend a visit to the Splendid hotel for tea for the adults!

EAT:

Turkey is a wonderful place for fresh, healthy vegetable-based dishes, but also dishes that children love! From fresh fish to ‘Borek’ pastry dishes, from street ‘Simit’ (a sort of sesame bagel) in the afternoon to Manti (Turkish ravioli with yogurt) and Meze, there is far too much choice, and we seem to spend most of our time eating!!

Fish restaurants are a culture in themselves in Istanbul and there are many to choose from, but our favourites are Kiyi, and Rumeli Hisar Iskelesi. The latter is right on the shore of the Bosphorus and the children watch the boats sail by as they munch on their meze, salad and fresh grilled fish. It is always nice to have something sweet after your fish and we absolutely love Girandola ice cream shops! (You can find one close to each of these fish restaurants.).

Turkish/Anatolian modern fusion has become a fabulous new cuisine and there are some great options in Istanbul. The best (and completely un-child friendly, but maybe good for a date night!) is Mikla, owned by chef Mehmet Gurs. We also love Kantin in the bustling shopping neighbourhood of Nisantasi, and Amanda Bravo, situated close to Emirgan Park. Right next to Amanda is the newly opened Misk, a café-cum-flower shop with amazing blueberry pancakes, banana bread and avocado toast, when you want something a little bit less Turkish!

For a night out, Kilimanjaro is a great option. Set in the old Bomonti Beer Factory, and part of the Babylon Music group, it has a great menu, but also a good outdoor space for the kids to scooter around in. There are also concerts, mini markets and exhibitions happening regularly in this Babylon location, so check out their site for updated info.

SHOP:

The most famous and historical of Istanbul’s shopping options would have to be the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi), an absolute treasure trove of goodies and an Aladdin’s cave for kids! Try to go early in the morning before the crowds, and pick up some fabulous Hamam towels, beautiful Ikat bowls and fabrics, and carpets coming out of your ears!

On the weekends we also sometimes love to pop into Minoa bookstore (between Besiktas and Nisantasi) and browse the beautiful books for both adults and kids, and then have a little coffee in their café. Simple Life in Bebek is great for beautiful home wares to take back as souvenirs, and Maezae in Karakoy is a quirky boutique with a bit of everything, and workshops too!

For children Kidslivingetc has just opened up a little boutique on the Asian side, selling all sorts of Scandinavian decoration pieces, toys and some great Turkish labels including Minimom and Figg Official.

STAY:

As I’ve already mentioned, in Istanbul it is nice to be close to the water! The Four Seasons at the Bosphorus is a good top-dollar hotel with all the amenities, and friends with kids have been happy here. But we also love the more boutique option of Sumahan on the Water with its grassy area in front of Bosphorus, perfect for kids to play on!

In the old city Soho House is spectacular, housed in a 19th century Palazzo, and close to many tourist attractions and nightlife. The Vault, part of the wonderful House Hotel group is in Karakoy, a great location to be based in, and close to Istanbul Modern, the tram, and once again, the Bosphorus!!

Hotel Momscierge is a great service in the city for families who come to visit, with babysitting options, equipment rental and tips on what to do and where to go. The Guide Istanbul is also a lovely and useful magazine and online source for all up-to-date information on what’s going on in Istanbul right now!

  Thank you so much, Alara, for sharing with us.  And thank you to Ceren Semerci for the beautiful photos.

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Weekend Getaway: Istanbul

Born and bred in London, Alara Hindle studied Islamic Art and Archaeology at Oxford, and was then sent to work in the magnificent Topkapi Palace in Turkey. Once there,  she met and fell in love with her husband, and has been living in Istanbul ever since! Two daughters (eight and three-years-old) and a beloved art space/shop/café for children (called LOLA) later, they are now contemplating moving back to the UK to set out on some new adventures as a family in the British countryside! Alana kindly offered to share her insider tips for Istanbul and I just got really excited to receive them. Istanbul just hopped up many notches on our list of places we want to visit. It sounds so wonderfully kid-friendly, cultural… and delicious! Here is Alara’s guide:

A family-friendly guide to Istanbul:

Istanbul is a bridge between East and West, literally and culturally. I have lived here for 17 years now and it pulls you in daily with all its contradictions, with its noises and smells, its traffic and the beautiful Bosphorus, its modern shopping malls and Ottoman mosques, its exciting nightlife and historical hamams. Since having children, it has also shown another face: the kindness people always show to little ones, their hospitality, the wonderful fresh food, the cultural and artistic options, the four seasons (from snow storms in January to scorching heat in August!). It is an easy short plane ride from most European cities, and a long weekend is enough to get the feel of this special place… Late Spring, when the weather is still mild, yet skies are sparkling blue and the Judas trees and magnolias blossom along the Bosphorus, is my favourite time, and there are fewer tourists around. Here are my tips:

DO:

For me, with a background in the History of Art, Istanbul offers some fabulous historical sites to visit with the kids, from Hagia Sophia to the Topkapi Palace, from the Blue Mosque to Rumeli Castle. Some of our favourites though are lesser-known, smaller places which are much more accessible for children and less overwhelming. Chora, an old Byzantine Greek Church, has some stunning frescoes and mosaics, and my little girls never cease to enjoy looking up at the gilded painted ceilings and making up stories about the golden characters around them! The Basilica Cistern, a big underground water reservoir built for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, is just stunning, and the hauntingly romantic watery construction filled with marble columns has both children and adults alike mesmerized! Don’t forget to check out the Medusa’s head.

Istanbul also has some great museums. One of our favourites is definitely Istanbul Modern, situated in the cool area of Karakoy. Right on the Bosphorus and with stupendous views of the old city, it’s a perfect example of the juxtaposition of Modern and Ancient in Istanbul. With great programmes for children, a fantastic restaurant, and a brilliant ceiling of hanging books on the lower floor, we are regulars! Another of our haunts is Sakip Sabanci Museum, located in a less central area of the city, a neighbourhood where many expats and families with children live. This old ‘Yali’ surrounded by beautiful gardens, has hosted exhibitions from Picasso to Anish Kapoor, from Miro to Monet (check their site for information on current exhibitions).

Istanbul has some wonderful old districts which are fun to walk around with children. Cukurcuma is one of our favourites, with a host of galleries, small designer shops and antique stores, as well as cafes and bars. We love Ayse Orberk, a tastefully cluttered antique shop (as soon as you walk in you feel like you have walked into someone’s (very) elegant and tasteful home!), and Muz, which sells beautiful little terrariums and plants, woven wall hangings and other special little objects. Our favorite café here is Cuma, which has a fantastic menu to please all, as well as a little room with toys and books to entertain the kids! Balat is also a new and upcoming old area which is being fast gentrified… It is lovely to walk around its narrow streets and look at all the beautiful old buildings, as well as the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and High School (keep in mind this is also close to Chora). We love to have Turkish pizza or ‘Lahmacun’ at Forno, and coffee and cake at the fabulous Coffee Department.

With the Bosphorus playing such an essential part in the story of this beautiful city, a must do is to take some sort of boat tour along its shores. We love the little boat from Emirgan to Kanlica where we eat traditional Turkish yogurt sprinkled with lashings of sugar. As well as being the location of the above-mentioned Sabanci Museum, Emirgan also has a nice park, one of the larger ones in the city, with great play spaces for kids, as well as a fantastic pizza restaurant on the shore called Pizza Emirgan. It is also nice to take a small ferry from Bebek, another pretty little area with a small park, great restaurants and cafes, and some fantastic boutiques. (Mangerie is a lovely little restaurant with great food and a lovely view.  Midnight Express has a wonderful collection of designer clothes such as Masscob and Gul Hurgel, jewellery from Kismet and home wares from Santimetre Studio).

The Princes islands are also a lovely day out, just a ferry away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Buyukada is our favourite, a place I used to visit every summer as a kid! Children love the fact that there are no cars and you go everywhere by horse and carriage, and the calls of the ‘dondurmaci’ (ice cream man who moves around the island in the afternoons calling out to the local children). I would recommend a visit to the Splendid hotel for tea for the adults!

EAT:

Turkey is a wonderful place for fresh, healthy vegetable-based dishes, but also dishes that children love! From fresh fish to ‘Borek’ pastry dishes, from street ‘Simit’ (a sort of sesame bagel) in the afternoon to Manti (Turkish ravioli with yogurt) and Meze, there is far too much choice, and we seem to spend most of our time eating!!

Fish restaurants are a culture in themselves in Istanbul and there are many to choose from, but our favourites are Kiyi, and Rumeli Hisar Iskelesi. The latter is right on the shore of the Bosphorus and the children watch the boats sail by as they munch on their meze, salad and fresh grilled fish. It is always nice to have something sweet after your fish and we absolutely love Girandola ice cream shops! (You can find one close to each of these fish restaurants.).

Turkish/Anatolian modern fusion has become a fabulous new cuisine and there are some great options in Istanbul. The best (and completely un-child friendly, but maybe good for a date night!) is Mikla, owned by chef Mehmet Gurs. We also love Kantin in the bustling shopping neighbourhood of Nisantasi, and Amanda Bravo, situated close to Emirgan Park. Right next to Amanda is the newly opened Misk, a café-cum-flower shop with amazing blueberry pancakes, banana bread and avocado toast, when you want something a little bit less Turkish!

For a night out, Kilimanjaro is a great option. Set in the old Bomonti Beer Factory, and part of the Babylon Music group, it has a great menu, but also a good outdoor space for the kids to scooter around in. There are also concerts, mini markets and exhibitions happening regularly in this Babylon location, so check out their site for updated info.

SHOP:

The most famous and historical of Istanbul’s shopping options would have to be the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi), an absolute treasure trove of goodies and an Aladdin’s cave for kids! Try to go early in the morning before the crowds, and pick up some fabulous Hamam towels, beautiful Ikat bowls and fabrics, and carpets coming out of your ears!

On the weekends we also sometimes love to pop into Minoa bookstore (between Besiktas and Nisantasi) and browse the beautiful books for both adults and kids, and then have a little coffee in their café. Simple Life in Bebek is great for beautiful home wares to take back as souvenirs, and Maezae in Karakoy is a quirky boutique with a bit of everything, and workshops too!

For children Kidslivingetc has just opened up a little boutique on the Asian side, selling all sorts of Scandinavian decoration pieces, toys and some great Turkish labels including Minimom and Figg Official.

STAY:

As I’ve already mentioned, in Istanbul it is nice to be close to the water! The Four Seasons at the Bosphorus is a good top-dollar hotel with all the amenities, and friends with kids have been happy here. But we also love the more boutique option of Sumahan on the Water with its grassy area in front of Bosphorus, perfect for kids to play on!

In the old city Soho House is spectacular, housed in a 19th century Palazzo, and close to many tourist attractions and nightlife. The Vault, part of the wonderful House Hotel group is in Karakoy, a great location to be based in, and close to Istanbul Modern, the tram, and once again, the Bosphorus!!

Hotel Momscierge is a great service in the city for families who come to visit, with babysitting options, equipment rental and tips on what to do and where to go. The Guide Istanbul is also a lovely and useful magazine and online source for all up-to-date information on what’s going on in Istanbul right now!

  Thank you so much, Alara, for sharing with us.  And thank you to Ceren Semerci for the beautiful photos.

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Visiting Lesvos, Greece: Our 5 Day Travel Guide

Adventure-lovers, history buffs and nature-seekers rejoice! The third largest island in Greece will delight you with its endless activities, ancient sites and stunning coastline.

From the mountainous pottery-filled village of Agiasos in the south and the ancient towns of Petra and Mithymna in the north, to the Petrified Forest in the west and the neoclassical architecture of Mytilene in the east. Lesvos truly has something for every style of traveller.

…and that’s without mentioning the food, ouzo, beaches, adventure and wildlife!

Colourful plates in the town of Agiasos

As with its neighbour, Chios Island to the south, tourism in Lesvos was hit hard due to the recent refugee crisis. Because of the island’s proximity with Turkey, this was one of the first stops refugees made when fleeing their war-torn homes in search of a better future in Europe for themselves, and their families.

Foreigners flooded the shores, with the people of Lesvos helping out in every way they could – providing blankets, shelter and food, plus assistance with registering these people at the administration centers. In return for their kindness, the generous residents of Lesvos have suffered economic hardship with many international airlines, tours and cruise ships stopping service to this beautiful island.

A sunken refugee ship

Thankfully, things have turned around this year, and more flights are returning to the island of Lesvos! During our stay, which was in the shoulder-season of June, we saw lots of happy tourists exploring the villages, and dining on freshly caught seafood at little tavernas.

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, consider the islands in the Aegean. Not only are they unique and absolutely stunning, but the wonderful people who live here are more than deserving of your tourism dollars.

Lesvos was the last stop on our month-long trip through Greece, and although we were excited to explore the island for 6 nights, it was bittersweet as we knew our journey through this diverse country was coming to an end.

We arrived in the colourful capital city of Mytilene after an easy ferry-boat journey from Chios. Numerous cafes, shops and restaurants spilled out onto the cobbled side streets, while surrounding the harbour were beautiful mansions, churches, museums and more, all in the lovely neoclassical style.

Towering above the city was the Castle of Mytilene, which covers 60 acres and is one of the largest in all of the Mediterranean! We had just stepped foot on Lesvos Island and were already in awe of the architecture.

As with all of the islands we’ve visited in Greece, we had a rental car to explore Lesvos. An hour’s drive from the port brought us to the top of a hill with expansive views over the village of Petra, the islands offshore and further out to the Aegean Sea. We also spotted a strange rocky mound jutting out of the ground in the middle of the village.

After a windy, hairpin turn descent, we reached Petra and soon realized that atop that odd rock sat the church of Glykfylousa Panagia, from 1747. We were absolutely blown away by this scenic monument!

Hiking up to the Glykfylousa Panagia Church

We drove down small alleyways before arriving at our boutique hotel, Archontiko Petras 1821. As the name suggests, this beautiful hotel was built in 1821. We’ve always loved boutique hotels because of their quaint feel and interesting furniture, and this one was no exception.

The dining room area of the beautiful Archontiko 1821 Hotel

The two-level hotel offered two common areas and a community kitchen for guests’ use, which was very well-stocked. To the back of the hotel was a balcony with a hanging chair and beautiful garden. The interior was tastefully decorated, while our room itself was exquisite. The ceilings were at least 15 feet high, the king-sized bed was incredibly comfortable and the antique dresser and chairs were a nice touch.

Our room at Archontiko 1821 Hotel

This would be our home for the next five nights, and it was perfect for us.

The village of Petra is built up around the sandy bay. Along the shoreline you’ll find numerous cafes, bars, hotels and tavernas, all with free sun beds for customer’s use. This is where you’ll see most tourists, but if you take a few steps back from the main bay, and venture off into the quiet back streets, you’ll be one of the only foreign faces! People seem to congregate around the sea, leaving the pretty little lanes void of tourists.

Exploring the back lanes in Petra, one of our favourite towns in Greece

Petra proved to be the perfect base for exploring the island of Lesvos and after getting a feel for the town itself, it was time to head a little further north to neighbouring Molyvos (Mithymna) and the hot springs of Eftalou.

After driving for just 5 minutes, we could see the town of Molyvos, and its castle on a hill. Another 5 minutes and we arrived in the town. Although we could spot the castle, but weren’t entirely sure how to climb up to it. So, we just started walking uphill through little back lanes. Apart from a few local people who were going about their day-to-day lives, there was no one else around. One woman showed us a plum tree and suggested we pick some fruit, another women surrounded by about 6 cats waved and smiled, while a man said hello while pruning his trees.

There were no tourists here and we enjoyed our slow saunter through the lanes to the castle.

Quiet lanes lead us to the Molyvos Castle

Reaching the Byzantine Castle, we were in awe of the structure and the expansive views of the sea and the town of Molyvos. This ancient castle is one of the most impressive in all of Greece, and although it was built by the Byzantines, apparently there are stones here from a previous castle during the Trojan War.

From the Venetians, to the Catalans, to the Genovese and the Ottoman Turks, this castle has seen it all and there is an incredible amount of history here. However, we were disappointed to find that we had missed the opening hours by just 30 minutes. We peered through the gates, but unfortunately the only views we would get were from the outside.

The Molyvos Castle, a must-see in Lesvos

After hiking up to see the castle and wandering around the beautiful seaside town, we were ready to soothe our muscles.

There are numerous hot springs on the island, but we opted for the healing properties of the most radioactive springs in Lesvos, Eftalou. At the beginning of the path leading to the white domed bath house, there was a sign that said the water temperature of the hot spring is around 46°C!

These would be the hottest hot springs we had ever been in.

Outside of the Eftalou Hot Springs

With our bathing suits on, we opted for the communal bath in the older house, as opposed to the newly renovated private ones. Steam was rising off of the clear water and the entire room was misty. Two men were submerged up to their necks, so we figured it couldn’t be all that hot. We were wrong.

It took what seemed like an eternity to just get our feet in the water, let alone our whole bodies!

After watching us struggle with getting in the bath, the two men said that we should go out to the cool sea, or to the cold shower first, and sit in the water for 3 minutes. Apparently, when your body is cold, this water doesn’t seem all that hot. We were skeptical, but gave it a try and after having my breath taken away by the chilly sea water during a cold day, it was time to give the bath another go.

This time we were able to get our entire bodies in the water, and it felt great.

Inch by inch, we finally made it in the hot springs

We relaxed in the piping hot bath for the maximum allowed time of 4 minutes, before heading to the cold sea again. This routine was completed three times and is said to cure ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, neuralgia, skin diseases, kidney and gall gravel and gynecological issues.

Whether or not it cured anything I’m not sure, but it was an experience we won’t forget.

From historical sites and natural wonders to pretty villages and lovely beaches, we had really been enjoying our stay on Lesvos Island. Rather than continue our enjoyment from land, we decided it was time to explore the royal blue sea – both on, and under.

View of Petra and the sea from the Glykfylousa Panagia Church

Lesvos is a volcanic island, and earthquakes and volcanic activity have shaped the land. From the strange rocky mound that sits the Glykfylousa Panagia church in Petra, to the forest which was covered in lava 20 million years ago, resulting in petrified trees today.

Not only was the topography above water filled with rocky mountains and unique volcanic formations, but the same went for below the water’s surface.

Nick’s been a scuba diver since 2008 when he got his PADI certification on Koh Tao, Thailand and has dove all around the world. But even though we’d been to Greece in the past, he hadn’t been diving in this country yet! Excited to spend a day at sea, we met up with George from Lesvos Scuba Diving Center, and George from Alternative Sailing – “Diving George and Sailing George” as we began to call them.

Picking out scuba gear!

There’s a really cool arrangement on the island of Lesvos between these two companies. You can combine sailing with many other adventures, such as hiking, biking, or scuba diving.

We first met up with Diving George at the dive shop where we had a chat about life, the island and diving. Nick picked out his scuba gear and George loaded it into the back of his truck. He drove us to the port where we met up with Sailing George from Alternative Sailing. We were dropped off and hopped aboard the beautiful Salona 42′ boat.

The sky was blue, the wind was fair and the sea was the perfect condition for sailing. We’ve sailed aboard the Savvy and the Timshell in Grenada, a boat with no name in Mozambique, and the Yannis in SVG (plus numerous random fishing boats). But this was the first time I would experience sailing at the speed we did this day aboard the Selana.

The perfect day for sailing in Lesvos

George was an expert and was extremely passionate about sailing. We caught so much wind in our sails that the boat was heeling (tilting) completely on its side! Sensing that I was a bit nervous about this (meanwhile, no one else was), George assured me that sail boats cannot tip over, and after gliding across the water for a few minutes on the speedy boat, I relaxed and was able to fully enjoy the experience, which included stunning views of the Villages of Molyvos and Petra.

George giving Nick a sailing lesson on a tilted boat – we loved it!

We zipped around the coastline, while Nick was given a bit of a sailing lesson from George. The trip was wonderful and we loved learning about the sea, the boat and the island from captain George and his wife Mirella. Eventually, we pulled up behind one of the rocky offshore islands, where the sea was glass calm. We moored up and a few moments later, dive instructor George arrived in a zodiac and tied his boat to ours.

After a briefing about the dive site, Nick put on his gear, hopped in the zodiac, and just like that, it was time to dive!

The zodiac tied up to the sail boat and after the dive briefing, they were off!

I stuck back on the sailboat with everyone else, and helped prepare lunch. There’s a full kitchen on board where Mirella was creating a wonderful meal of fresh octopus, salads and pasta. Meanwhile, George jumped in sea and swam towards the rocks, returning with freshly caught sea urchins!

It felt like we were living on the boat, rather than just on a tour. Nick was diving for the day, I was swimming and tanning, Mirella was cooking, George was out collecting appetizers and others were just relaxing.

Beautifully clear water for swimming off of the boat

An hour or so later, Nick returned from his dive. Although there wasn’t a whole lot of sea life, he did spot an octopus, a lobster and some fish. But the highlight was swimming through, and around, the ancient rock formations, which were created by volcanic activity over 10 million years ago.

Zipping off in the zodiac for a dive, what a great afternoon!

Together with our friends from Alternative Sailing and Lesvos Dive Center, we sat around the table on the sailboat and enjoyed the homemade meal and great conversation. It was a wonderful day at sea and as we sailed back in the late afternoon sun, we reflected on our trip to the lesser-known island of Lesvos and all of the beautiful people we met there.

Enjoying a fantastic homemade meal from Mirella with our new friends from Lesvos

With full hearts and stomachs we headed back to our hotel and prepared ourselves for departure the next day. Lesvos Island was a great place to finish up our journey in Greece. We’ll never forget the ancient villages, the fantastic cuisine and of course, our new friends.

Traveller Tips:

We found Petra a great place to base ourselves during our stay. There are loads of restaurants, bars, cafes and a nice beach. Plus, the beautiful church on the rocky mound is here and we loved the quiet little back streets. Another great option would be Mithymna, with its gorgeous castle, beaches and restaurants.

Archontiko 1821 was an amazing hotel and the breakfast spread was huge. We recommend this place based on the quality of the rooms, the beautiful setting and the perfect location. Click here to see the latest prices on Booking.com.

A few of our favourite restaurants and bars in Petra are Sunset of Petra (€12 huge mixed grill, €5 appetizers), Thalassa / The Sea Restaurant (€9.50 shrimp meal, €8 meatballs and rice), Reef (€15 Prosecco, with free snack), Dak Cafe (€1.50 freddo coffee) and Kalderimi Restaurant and Grill House (€2.40 gyros takeaway).

For rental cars on the island, check out Expedia.com. Book as far in advance as you can for the best deals. We paid €25 / day, and booked just a couple of days in advance.

Entrance to the Eftalou Thermal Bath was €4 / person.

For scuba diving on Lesvos Island, check out the guys at Lesvos Scuba Center in Petra. The equipment and service were excellent. Phone: (+30) 6945998764, (+30) 6981026085 or email:  info@lesvoscuba.gr, lesvoscuba@gmail.com.

For an exciting day of sailing (whether combined with another activity, or not) make sure to contact George at Alternative Sailing in Petra. Phone: +30 697 889 3703, +30 697 479 2050 or email: info@alternativesailing.gr.

For flights to and from Lesvos, check out the latest deals on Aegean Airlines here.

To take a ferry boat from a neighbouring island, or to make the longer journey to Athens, click here to see ferry routes. We spent around €21 each to take the 2.5 hour ferry ride from Chios. To search for boats, check out websites like Direct Ferries and Hellenic Seaways.

For more useful information about Greece, check out the wonderful travel portal, Discover Greece.

A huge thank-you to Discover Greece for assisting with our flight back to Athens, two nights accommodation and tours during our trip to Lesvos Island! The rest of Lesvos we planned, booked and paid for ourselves, including 3 more nights at Archontiko Hotel, even though we were offered 3 nights complimentary somewhere else. All opinions and thoughts remain our own, despite any complimentary services received. 

After deciding that we wanted to travel to Greece for a month, we reached out to Discover Greece, who became our amazing partners for this trip! The reason we’re able to partner up with wonderful companies like this is because of our travel blog, and loyal followers (you!). If you’re interested in starting a blog and eventually working with tourism boards, tour companies and airlines all over the world, click here to get started. If you start a blog using the link in the article, we’ll send you our pro blogging eBook, for free!

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