Yes, sometimes there’s scut work here, too

This morning as I walked out of Gaziantep, breathing exhaust fumes and trying not to get hit by cars, I thought, “Sometimes walking across a country is scut work.” I briefly likened it to sitting in a cubicle answering emails. Then I thought, “Yeah,...

Today’s scenery

East of Gaziantep it’s mostly rolling hills, rich but rocky soil, and olive and pistachio trees.

Yes, they do

"Long roads require a motor oil as enduring as you."

Pistachio tree

Gaziantep’s old name is just "Antep," which means "pistachio." Southeastern Turkey and Iran supply more than half of the world’s pistachioes. On the walk out of Gaziantep this morning I was wondering where they grow all these...

Love me some tahini

One of the things I love about this area is that tahini (an oil made from pressed sesame seeds, I think) is so cheap you can get a big bowl of it and dunk your bread in it. At most places in the US this little bowl of tahini would have set me back about US$6.00. Here...

Today is for Joe Baba

Joe Baba has been a longtime family friend in so many capacities. Joe, I love and respect you for being there for so many people for so many years.

Side trip to Side

Sunday and Monday I took a quick trip to Side (pronounced “see-day”) to visit my friend Anton Bogomolov. Anton is a professional photographer from Russia. He was in Side for work. I wanted to remind him to keep thinking about walking Iran with me next...

View out the bus window between Antalya and Mersin

This guy slept through some of the hairiest winding mountain roads I’ve ever been on. At least three people lost their lunches on the trip. The guy next to me was praying to god for his safety. I don’t know how this sleeper man did it.

A geek post for my dad

Hi Dad, here’s a geek video of banana greenhouses. This is on the Mediterranean coast, between Antalya and Mersin.