Seems like only yesterday that we were exchanging marriage vows in Istanbul. The intervening year has found us moved to Los Angeles. We were happy to take some time to reflect on our 1st anniversary from the beautiful Kaputas Beach near Kaş.
UPS brought some excellent news in the form of a package with Duygu’s Immigrant Visa to the USA. We will be on our way shortly.
Around Turkey for Kurban Bayramı. Stopped in Ankara for a Visa interview at the US Embassy. Made an quick day trip to Baypazarı. The small town had a good history museum and an amazing living history museum.
Then we were on to Cappadocia for some pleasure with Selin, Kemal and Gülsün. Made a day trip to Konya to take in the Mevlânâ Museum. Headed back to Istanbul via Kayseri to get some pastırma.
Lots more photos here.
We made a stop in Yüreğil at the end of our Summer Holiday to spend Şeker Bayramı with Duygu’s family on her Mom’s side.
More photos here.
We spent the tail end of Summer in the South of Turkey. Started in Bodrum with friends Özlem, Gülsün, Selin and Kemal. After our friends headed back to Istanbul, we went in search of more obscure places.
We made stops in Datça, Çınar, Kleopatra Plajı, Fethiye, Kayaköy, Saklıkent, and Kaş before heading to Denizli for the Şeker Bayramı.
Lots more photos here.
100 Kg of tomatoes on their way to become soup stock.
The fruits of a days labor…63 jars of tomato puree.
The canning crew hard at work.
We had a beautiful civil ceremony at the Kadiköy Evlendirme Dairesi with a dinner reception at the Sabancı Öretmen Evi. Evening-time on the Bosphorus, looking across at the Rumelihisarı, was magical. After all the well-wishes from friends and family, we enjoyed a couple nights at the Polka Country Hotel in the wilds of Polonezköy.
Invitation – Front and Back (Click to Enlarge)
Bountiful pictures to follow as a couple thousand of them are sorted.
More from photographer Ferhat Şeker – here.
Fresh back in Istanbul from a week of sun-drenched holiday in Keşan Yayla on the Saros Sea.
Took a long detour to Edirne to see Mimar Sinan’s architectural masterpiece, the Selimiye Mosque.
The Summer house of Duygu’s parents played host to extended family from both sides. My parents, along with my Aunt Lynn and Uncle Bruce were in Turkey for our upcoming wedding. Duygu’s parents and Teyze Afife and Enişte Hüseyin played more than gracious hosts. A mind boggling assortment of Turkish foods was prepared every meal, each with two or three new dishes. All of it was delicious. Fresh katmer made me particularly excited. As did a number of bowls of sütlaç.
Saadet, Lynn and Carol preparing yaprak sarma.
Afife making tahini katmer.
Hüseyin putting sardines between grape leaves for grilling.
Caught sight of a partial lunar eclipse.
Cotton Candy on the beach.
Spent as much time as we could near or in the water.
The Saros Sea was clear, calm and warm. We had a great time.
More photos are here.
This dancing water drop and his MC buddy were out in front of Cevahir in Istanbul promoting water conservation.
