Each time I take a vacation I promise myself that I "won't work" and then, at a certain point, I remember that my work is about food, which means life, which means that in a sense, I am always working. With every bite, every inhale and exhale. And blissfully.
So it was when I traveled to Turkey this month. As I write this, I'm still fighting jet-lag and finding bits of pistachio in my pockets.
Just a few days ago I was wandering aimlessly through some of Istanbul's food markets: the historic Kadiköy fish market on the Asian side, the Beyoğlu neighborhood's bustling Balık Pazarı, and the little impromptu side street markets, sometimes with only a simple set-up: two tables of fruit, a tea seller and a mussel man.
It is from these slow strolls when all my senses were open and alive, that I bring you just a few images and words to whet your palate. (If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you may have already seen some of the pictures that were made with my phone.)
Turkey really hosed me down with its light and color and depth of flavors. The food experience was as much about the people as it was about the tastes. This depth of experience made me want to do my job better. It made me crave the ability to see and taste even deeper.
If you've been there before, I hope this small offering will resonate. If you haven't, I invite you on this journey with me.
Related: Lemon Zest and Laughter at Istanbul Culinary Institute
(Images: Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan)
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some of the most beautiful photos (in my opinion) are from open air markets. it really captures the culture and humanity of a place.
I am from Istanbul and I am looking forward to reading your observations! Thanks for the beautiful pictures!
I relate to you feelings on food, work and life. You summed up your philosophy so beautifully. Thanks for sharing.
I was there last year-- did you have the stuffed street mussels-- amazing!
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with such an open heart.
I leave in 3 weeks for Turkey! So excited to see your post today!
Hmmmmm, I can still remember the delicious fish sandwiches from fresh catch roasted fresh and served on fresh bread by the fishermen made right on and served from their boats!!!! Heavenly.
Wow! Thanks for a great post!
I have been in southeast Turkey most of the summer and still have a few weeks left here. My boyfriend thinks I am crazy when I take photographs of the amazing array of delicious produce each week at the farmers bazaar. Never have I eaten such delicious food and I have traveled many parts of the world. It amazes me that we can buy a weeks worth of produce (which is the mainstay of the diet) for around $10USD, and bakery fresh bread for about $.40! That's living!
I want to go on the exact same trip.......can you please comment on the itinerary and what other ports of call you visited? Maxwell mentioned the tour company but not sure which sailing is best. I would love to do what you did!
We were just there a few days ago ourselves! Loved the fish sandwiches on the Bosphorous by the Egyptian spice market where they were literally selling the sandwiches from gaudy, rocking boats outfitted with grills. And it's apricot season! Women who were out picking them in Cappadocia were handing them to us as we hiked around.
Whoever is going there soon, and is headed to the Asian side, be sure to try Ciya restaurant for meat and their salad bar!
The food in Turkey...oh man...just amazing. You really need to travel around the whole country.
Thank you for the post. We are going to be in Istanbul for three weeks in Sept. I don't know what I am more excited about - This being my first international trip or the food amazing food I will be experiencing.