Cults/Say Media's SXSW Interactive Party/Speakeasy/Austin/Texas/3.12.12

Bear in Heaven/Say Media's SXSW Interactive Party/Speakeasy/Austin/Texas/3.12.12

Just a few days after landing in New York, my dear friend Roger Kisby and I embarked on a decently long road trip down to Austin, Texas for what is quickly becoming one of my favorite events of the year - South by Southwest (SXSW).

This shot was taken some miles outside of Clarksville, Tennessee after visiting the one and only, Caroline Evey.

3.6.12

While this is not the coffeeshop we went to for the space cake, it IS the coffeeshop I wish we would have visited - simply for the fine art on the window.

Since this is the last photo of the trip, I would simply like to leave you with the thought of me attempting to get back through Schiphol's immigration higher than a kite. As far as I know, I got on the right plane AND on time.

You all have a good day now, and visit Amsterdam sometime soon!

2.28.12

I don't even care for Heineken, but this was just what the doctor ordered.

Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

Anne Frank House/Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." Some attribute the quote to Charlie Chaplin, some to Groucho Marx and others to 18th century French writer Nicolas Chamfort. While the art is a bit creepy, I like the message.

In attempting to research who actually said it, I found myself reading a bunch of karma quotes instead. My favorite find?

"My karma ran over your dogma." - Anonymous

If that made you laugh (evvveeen just a little), then you've already spent the day well! Happy Monday!

Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

Probably my favorite two photos from Amsterdam. Especially the top photo.

Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

Visuals.

Bottom photo? Maybe Banksy?

Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

I heard you had to have the pancakes, so, we had the pancakes!

Bredero/Amsterdam/The Netherlands/2.28.12

Final picture taken in Istanbul. A giant wall mural of a mosque.

Next stop? A seven-hour layover in Amsterdam!

2.27.12

A very rainy final walk back to the hotel to pack our things.

2.27.12

Such an abundance of pistachio in Turkish cuisine! So colorful! So delicious!

2.27.12

Ohhhh those cold, windy, cloudy days would have been soooo much more wonderful had we thought of this sooner. Fresh-squeezed orange juice and pomegranate juice. For $1-$8* a glass, it makes the perrrfect mixer. It's incredible how such a thing improves your disposition on a cold, rainy last day - at least tenfold, I'd say.

*Quite the mark-up in certain areas on the high-end, if you ask me. How can you not be outraged that the gentleman wants to sell you something for $8 when you had purchased it for $2 around the corner?!

2.27.12

PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS!!

Itty-bitty living space.

I tried all of them. No genies.

Grand Bazaar/Istanbul/Turkey/2.27.12

Again, a situation where you point and eat. Shame on me for having no idea what this is (Hakan? Help, please?), because it was one of my favorite things. Layer upon layer of thin sheets of noodle/pastry held together with butter? Cream? Cheese? All of the above?

If I find out that kaymak was involved, I will get on a plane and fly back to Turkey immediately.

Hafiz Mustafa*/Istanbul/Turkey/2.27.12

*I'd just like to point out that Hafiz Mustafa was established in 1864. Kudos to them, but considering it's Istanbul, 1864 doesn't seem all that impressive.

Lanterns in the Egyptian Bazaar aka the Spice Bazaar... also... the more curious subject matter in the bottom photo.

Spice Bazaar/Istanbul/Turkey/2.27.12

Eating at Asitane was an absolute must-do for me. Another No Reservations find, Asitane's menu is based off the cuisine served in Ottoman palaces. Give me history, give me food.

This tasty bite above is a stuffed quince. There are two questions that should follow that statement.

1. What is a quince?

2. What's inside?

Answer one: Don't quote me, but... an Asian cross between an apple and a pear... closer to a pear.

Answer two: In this case, "a blend of lamb and beef, rice, aromatic herbs, pine nuts and currants flavored with grape molasses."

Aside from its deliciousness, the best part? The recipe dates back to 1539!

Other things we tried:

Almond soup (1539): flavored with grated nutmeg and a drizzle of pomegranate.

Terine soup: chestnuts, dried yogurt, red pepper paste and mint.

Lamb shank with spinach marmarina (1764): roasted and braised, served on creamed spinach in a pastry bowl.

Sea bass biryan (XV): roasted, stuffed with walnuts and spices with a saffron rose water dressing

2.26.12

I don't know if I mentioned this prior, but I love public transportation! Particularly scenic public transportation. After hopping a ferry back to the European side of Turkey, we unfortunately missed taking a tour of Dolmabache Palace by 20 minutes or so. Being only a few miles from our hotel, we decided to walk back, that is, until I realized that we had't yet taken the tram. Istanbul is indeed better by foot, but at least one ride on any country's train/tram is a must!

2.26.12