Corrado and Valeria turned 40 this year. Valeria turns 40 in October, but they decided to celebrate together this year. Nothing shows how well this couple is loved more than the people that were in attendance. Gifts ranged from hand crafted pieces to weekend getaways. They decided to celebrate their big bash with live music …
As I’ve said before my favorite part of traveling next to trying new foods is meeting people. While London wasn’t the friendliest of cities, it reminded me of Seattle. For the most part people keep to themselves in the streets, but if you’re lucky enough to strike up a conversation with one, they’re perfectly pleasant …
Pork Scratchings and beer I felt like a disaster my first night in London. I didn’t stand on the right side of the escalator, I fumbled through my coin purse trying to figure out what the difference was between my pounds, euros, and turkish lira, and apparently had to sample nearly ever beer on tap because English beers …
Since Tim was busy with the chaos of moving while I was in town, it only seemed natural that I offer to help on moving day. What I wasn’t expecting was to move an upright piano up a flight of stairs that included a sharp corner…Needless to say, it was a disaster. Why Tim ever …
Buckingham Palace What visit to London would be complete without visiting Buckingham Palace? It seems to me like the equivalent of going to New York and not seeing the Statue of Liberty or Washington D.C. and not seeing the White House. My mom, one who doesn’t really involve herself with any type of politics LOVED …
Tim managed to free himself up for a day to check out the infamous Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival. (I think that it could be argued.) After hearing it compared to New Orlean’s Mardis Gras festival, I was intrigued and excited that I happened to be in town for this annual event. I …
After a lazy morning of lounging, piano, and tea…I was definitely in the mood for some vintage shopping. Tim and my other friends raved about the vintage shopping in London, so I was stoked. I wasn’t planning on getting anything other than a birthday gift for Valeria…but little did I know… Tim told me that …
If the accents, charming neighborhoods, and ease of transportation wasn’t already making me fall in love with London, The Borough Market finished it all for me. I would kill for a loft above or near this place. Like a giggling school girl, I was practically skipping around London after my encounter. Probably more than three …
So for those who don’t know, I met Tim while I was in Turkey. I was looking for ideas for places to explore before I had to return for work in Italy and he suggested I come to London since the city was all decorated for the Olympics. London had always seemed like such an …
After 10 days on the coast, it was off to Milan for a couple days! After a brief welcome home to La Distesa, I barely had about 30 min to repack my bag for London. Taking out the swim suits and trading them in for a raincoat wasn’t as dreadful as I thought it would be. …
I am pretty sure any weight I lost in Turkey was gained in the last 10 days in Vasto, especially after an epic meal at Monte Freddo. This agriturismo B&B located in Abruzzo, Italy, about 45 minutes to an hour from Vasto, is any Italian meat eater’s dream. Located between the Adriatic sea and the …
Spending 10 days in Vasto might be a little long for my taste, but it has most definitely been nice to relax. Our days have basically been sleeping in, going to the beach all day, returning home for a group culinary adventure, and a night out on the town for gelato or granitas. Concerts, fireworks, …
As many of you already know, I am notorious for celebrating my birthday for a week. In reality, it’s just an excuse for me to plan several fun event and see so many of the amazing people in my life. Since I am abroad this year…planning a week of events with them wasn’t really possible. …
Meet Mauro, my new Italian friend. Mauro is on a great adventure and I hope that when I am his age I will still have the courage and spunk to do what he is doing now. Mauro hails from an area near Torino, in Northern Italy. We met as he randomly showed up looking for …
Next to the Food Network or Rick Steves, the Discovery Channel is one of those companies I would give an arm and a leg to work for. If there was any type of job opening with them that I was remotely qualified for, I would do it. After helping Andus and a researcher from the …
I am so happy to have Andus back from Germany. Talking with him has been quite the treat. He’s one of those fascinating people that you could easily find yourself picking his brain for hours on end about whatever philosophical idea you may have. At the same time, sometimes he says or does the silliest …
I have never cooked with a stone oven although I constantly dream about having one in my backyard. Once a year, Gulcan roasts a leg of lamb, usually in a oven, but the stone oven here at FCI is a new addition, so this was a first for her as well. Unfortunately I was not …
Taking photos while riding a horse can be VERY difficult. Especially when you are stuck with a 50 mm lense and can’t quite capture what you’re trying to capture. However, I think I did ok here. It was a relaxing quite ride..and I can’t for the life of me pronoucne my horses’s name but she …
What a treat it has been to dine with such a grand cook. Gulcan’s home cooking is fantastic. The kitchen is a crazy place to be right before dinner, but in the end, the final product is totally worth it. I wish I had more, because there has been some other dishes that I LOVE, …
Every Friday in Avanos, there is a local bazzar. Every couple of weeks, we make one giant trip to buy food for the hotel. It’s a beautiful and chaotic market with everything from socks to the latest produce from local farms. One of the days I was wandering around town, I walked throug ha carpet …
It seemed strange that after I had a sad goodbye with Alex, I ended up staying till the wee hours of the morning again after meeting a new guest, Julian (lives in Istanbul but orignally from Australia). Julian was a great refreshing taste of my friends back home. He is outdoorsy, wears flannel, has a …
Meeting people from around the world has been wonderful. Especially when we really connect! Unfortunately, this results in a lack of sleep many of the nights, and I feel sad saying bye to such wonderful people after a few short days with them. My first friend, Alex (lives in France but from Germany), showed up …
Personally I think the best way to see Goreme is by scooter or motorcycle. It’s nice to have the wind in your face but some days, even that isn’t enough. Here are some photos from some motorcycle adventures with Unal.
One day, Unal wanted to take me to a pottery shop, where he knew the owner for some quality pottery. I had been eyeing the ones in the little touristy gift shops, btu Unal assured me he could take me to a better place. So off we went to Avanos, just a 10-15 minute drive …
I finally got myself moved into my new room. My original cave room was a little too dark for my taste (even though its marvelously cool and fresh during the day). If I wake up in a dark room I tend to just stay asleep and don’t wake up with the same energy as I …
