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From polar vortex to peynir helvası: The puppets dream of Eceabat
As the curls of cold make their way under the doors in through the window cracks, I curse the polar vortex. Kenne, the puppet known as the queen of manners and maintenance of ladylike behavior puppet,...
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An unexpected interfaith moment in the Muratlı mosque
Muratlı Village is hardly the place you would expect to find cosmopolitan and open armed views about the intermingling of religions and global peace. And we could use a bit of an interfaith moment...
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Dreaming of deniz börülcesi
Lately, the puppets have been complaining about the polar vortex that has descended upon us. The little chorus of dancing ladies have had to cover up their skimpy clothes with fat parkas, and they are...
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A fındık (hazelnut) fiesta in Güneşliköyü
Recently, the puppets joined me on a trip with the Archers of Okçular. Clinging onto the backseat, the puppets didn’t complain as we wound our way through the mountains of the northeastern Black Sea...
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The Karagöz puppets have a psychotic experience in Bursa
Recently, I went to visit the puppets while they were on sabbatical in Turkey. We met up in Istanbul and took in some sightseeing in Safranbolu before heading to their point of origin – Bursa. As you...
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The puppets celebrate a wedding on the Georgian border
The Karagöz puppets are all a-twitter about the upcoming Valentine’s day celebration. Between valentine-making parties and the preparation of sweets, you can imagine that they haven’t been thinking...
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Başınız sağolsun: A Turkish idiom in honor of the Soma disaster’s anniversary
Last year was witness to the worst mining disaster in Turkish history…as we drove through the town of Soma last June, the memorial to the miners stood tall. Black banners and flags flew off of a number...
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Enjoying a cuppa at the Çinaraltı cafe on Bozcaada
Nothing is more evocative of Turkey for me than the sound of tiny spoons clinking into glasses at a Çay bahçesi (i.e. tea garden or cafe). The puppets sigh with hiraeth at this thought. They do pine...
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The Karagöz puppets recover from Bayram Driving madness
Let me sit down here, have a glass of herbal “island” tea, catch my breath and tell you of the events of the last few days leading up to today’s Bayram (holiday in Turkish). I’m the sole human (or...
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