Tag Archives: Izmir

Mr. Independent

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

A little boy in a blue t-shirt acts tough, strong, fearless. He clutches a toy truck low at his side and eyes the passengers on the train. His father sees a friend near the front of the car, and moves … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Europe, Happiness, Inspiration, Travel, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Grasping at Grandmas

Posted on September 10, 2012 by

I’d been on a mission: to get old Turkish ladies to like me. I love elderly people, but I wasn’t getting a warm reception when I beamed at the grandmas. I greeted little old ladies leaning out of their windows … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Happiness, Observed, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Postcard for Addyson #1

Posted on September 7, 2012 by

Dear Addy, The two postcards I sent from Turkey took about 6 weeks to reach you. So I thought I’d send an update that would show up in Colorado before I do. Addy is my 5 year old niece, just … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs, Europe, Happiness, Inspiration, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Palms

Posted on August 29, 2012 by

Two small boys tracked the line of workers trimming the palm trees. The men in green jumpsuits were staring up at the man-lift. The boys nodded at each other with tight-lipped smiles and started in motion. The slightly smaller of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Happiness, Inspiration, Mischief, Observed, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Macho Maço Man

Posted on August 22, 2012 by

He struts wide, pacing to both sides of the sidewalk as he walks. He thrusts his arms out, adjusting his button-up shirt on his frame, propelling himself forward with a masculine directive. He clutches his cell phone in one hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Happiness, Inspiration, Observed, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

I Want To Tell You Something Beautiful.

Posted on August 20, 2012 by

After a few weeks practicing my Turkish with various strangers, I’m pleased with my progress–but overwhelmed by how much I still have to learn. Smiling helps. Smiling helps me make inroads, though I’m unintentionally cracking people up all the time. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Happiness, Inspiration, Literature, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Linger, Loiter

Posted on August 10, 2012 by

The pair meets in the Kültürpark, a space filled with palm trees, joggers, idle folks napping on benches, doing Sudoku on benches, staring into space on benches. A grandfather takes his small grandson around the perimeter on a whisper-silent moped … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Fitness, Happiness, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Breakfast/Kahvaltı

Posted on August 6, 2012 by

I’m the only customer in the breakfast room at the hotel, and the chef comes from the kitchen to nod at my arrival. I cut straight for the coffee and greet him, “Günaydın! Nasılsın.” Panicking as soon as the morning … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Happiness, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments