Tuesday 4 December 2012

A Taste of Turkey!


I was recently lucky enough to meet the great team, behind the most amazing food produced at our favourite restaurant Sofra Ocakbasi in Izmit.
The cheeriest bunch of Turks you could wish to meet!
We love sitting out on the street where we can really be a part of the atmosphere.
Just when you think the place is full....another party arrives so, an extra table is borrowed from next door..... wonderful.......no restrictions!!!


I managed to communicate how I would love to know how to make their tasty salsa; with that Irfan walked with me to a local shop where I could buy the ingredients! The smiling shop owner offered me tasty sweets and chai whilst her husband measured the goods!


Mine wrote her name in my book after showing me the ingredients....


Mehmet brandishing the knife he uses for chopping herbs!!!



 View from Jim's apartment overlooks the Sea of Marmara......

"The call to prayer awakens me.......I am hot even though the fan is whirring.
Small seaplane motors across the sea until it takes off into the morning.
Gulls fly past calling".........



The Mosque....


Sun going down over the shimmering sea.......



Blending.......shapes in the sunlight........


My favourite breakfast....thick natural yoghurt topped with pomegranate, local honey and walnuts....



Or pear, honey and walnuts!


Interesting line-up....


Locals arriving at the weekly market.....


Love the friendly gypsy women who arrive together in vans wearing their scarves edged with hand made crocheted flowers.....








Beautiful boy....




We love pomegranates!


Interesting fabric.......






People.................faces have a great fascination for me....


This sweet lady agreed to let me take her photograph.......after I had walked away, I felt a soft tapping on my shoulder, I turned to find her smiling at me her hand offering a gift of nuts, which I took and ate...smiled back..............a wonderful connection in time........


I wonder what age this lady is......twinkling smiling eyes......


Capturing the soul......


This lady also offered me a gift as I smiled and took her photograph, a few chillies but they felt like everything....


 Golden pear.....and I love wooden boxes!


Small behind the bread counter.........I must have seemed unusual calling her "sweetie pie"!


Markets are all about people, food and colour....


Huge pumpkins!............beautiful inspiring shades......


The fish man on his trike!







Something great about vegetables and baskets!


Pussy Willow followed his masters footsteps whilst glamour looked on......


Love


I like the way the sunlight has naturally placed the band in the spotlight!


Three men.....but it's the tiles I really love!!!


Spotlight on the magic carpet!


Beauty....


Cats are part of everyone's life in Turkey and they are welcome to come and go where ever they please...a bowl of water and food to be found in every door, in every shop!


Many music shops in Istanbul.......


Public loo!.....intrigued by the roses and the contrast in lives...


Intricate fine work.......


My kind of shop window!


An over night stay in Istanbul.......


Vibrant fascinating life in the place we always go eat, drink and study!


Sometimes the camera does something quite magical!


So many interesting windows........


For the more refined fisherman!......  


The women work hard producing delicious food........



Strangers in love........


And home to our Turkish room........  


where a sweet pup awaits!