Thoughts on Turkey: Kebabs, Attaturk, catching waves in Patara

Turkey is where east meets west, where Asia and Europe meet, it is a convergence of two continents and cultures the food was comforting and well known but everything else seemed distant to me. Over two millenniums of history, we meet with our counterparts, a growing demographic and an economy of 7% growth over the past 30 quarters, its a country that will be soon the 9th largest economy in the world. This country likes their tradition but they are open to new things, 34 Krispy Cremes are schedules to open in Turkey.

Seeing Cathedrals, turned into Mosques, turned back and turned around again, only to be saved and preserved by Attaturk. Attaturk is the father of modern Turkey and everyone loves him. Turkey elected a women to run their country we cant do that in the USA.

The Hagia Sophia was built in 5 years. A cathedral in Europe took hundreds of years.

I like museums and old buildings I get to imagine what life was like and i get to connect historical sites with everything I have read. History is cool.

We saw their tribute to the Battle of Golipili and it made me sad.

Seafaring can crush a great civilization.

I got to do a little body surfing in Patara. A pounding shore break that gave you a quick ride but it was worth it. Patara is also a Lycian State that is considered the birth place of federalism. In Patara I walked down a two thousand year old main street that connected the amphitheater to the great hall.

I had some of the freshest and best calamari I have ever had. Apparently beating the squid 14 times on rocks is the tenderness key.

I now like black olives.

Drinking local liquor hurts. Raki is another in the long line of drinks that make my brain hurt. It turns cloudy when you add ice and water. It taste like anise and can get you plastered quickly.

Fanta was created in Germany and it kicks ass in Europe.

Istanbul v Ankora, NY v DC, Shanghai v Beijing, Barcelona v Madrid...the government center of a country versus the metropolitan center are always at war with each other. While the Capitals all have great restaurants by the time the clock strikes midnight in the Capitals everything goes dark.

Donne Kebabs traditionally come with rice. If you get a kebab in a pita its too overwhelming with stuff.

Always buy what you want because you are never coming back to Turkey.

Turks are loud on the plane.

The Grand Bazar is not cheap.

Banks are new, so Turks buy gold in all forms to save their money.

Like most places in the world a meal is a time to talk, relax and be with your family.

Don't drink normal coffee. You get Turkish coffee and it can be plain, sweet and very sweet.