Last of the Tulips

Mmmm...breakfast. While enjoying my breakfast this morning, I realized that I was sipping the last of the Tulip Festival Blend that I bought from the Skagit Valley's Fidalgo Bay Coffee Roasters. 

If you recall a few posts back this was the place where I went with my Aunties Arnie and Jan to enjoy yummy clam chowder and an enormous cinnamon bun. This is possibly some of the best drip coffee I've enjoyed and it makes me sad that it is at an end, like the tale of my trip to Seattle in March.

We enjoyed our last morning nicely and easily. It had been a great, whirlwind trip, so it was lovely to sip our coffees and watch the rain drip from the flora and fauna of their yard. The furred and feathered ones were already fed, but we had to take poor Mocha-Moch to the vet. She had a bladder infection. As we awaited our appointment, that was when Arnie and I fed the chickens, the crows, the squirrels, and Ellie Mae, the cat living on the heating pad in her retirement home under Gladys, their day traveler. 

We packed up my things and loaded up the RAV, bound to take Mocha to the vet at the bottom of their hill. It was tough to leave poor Mocha at the vet for observation. I had become quite fond of that sweet ball of fluff and love. She had slept on my luggage all morning and her brother CJ spent the night beside me on my sleeping bag (I was freezing - had numerous blankie and a sleeping bag to keep me warm.) 

Once Mocha was at the vet, we were off to Seattle. We planned our adventures around getting me to SEA/TAC - the airport - on time. I purposefully booked an afternoon flight so that we could spend as much time playing during the day as possible. Our first stop was to Jan and Arnie's church so that we could look at the beautiful photos of my aunt's that were on display. She is a nature and bird photographer and boy oh boy are her photos amazing! See for yourself here at her website.

From there we went to the University of Washington's Kayak rental facility to enjoy Mexican food overlooking one of the many waterways of Seattle. I have to admit, we ate very good Mexican food on this trip. After my YEARS of hunting for Mexican food that resembled what I knew from home in NYC, I was delightfully surprised by the Mexican yummies we enjoyed in the North West. The view from the little restaurant was superb. We got to look out on houseboats and kayaks being prepared for the spring season. 

From there we went to the Center of Wooden Boats where I was able to nerd-out on the many different vessels they had on display. (Are you noticing a theme of boats? There's a good chance that I like them, but I'll never tell! Unless you've been reading this blog for a while and then you may already know the answer to that.)

Moving on.

We stood in sight of the Space Needle, but our goal for the day was to visit another well known Seattle Institution; no, nothing to do with Bill Gates, Pike's Peak, Costco, or Starbucks (although that eventually happened). Instead, we went underground. That's right, under the very streets. 

The Old Down Town Seattle

There was ONE recommendation my friends from back home had for me on my journey to Seattle and it was to go do the underground tour. I'm SO glad I took their advice. I'm a history Nerdette and love to hear a good story, so this was the perfect adventure. I'm not going to do a spoiler of what they talk about because when you go to Seattle you have to do this tour. Disclaimer: it is not suitable for all ages - not because it's scary being underground, but because of the content. To give you an idea Seattle has the best case I've heard for being the origin city of the phrase "Skid Row." The tour was wonderfully colorful and I particularly enjoyed learning about what we on ships would call "deck prisms." If you are walking along a city street and see colorful stones in the sidewalk, those are likely crystal prisms that pour light below - it means, there's an underground passage beneath you. Most of which, you probably had no idea was even there. 

After the tour, we hopped back into the car and went to a surprise destination: 

The mother ship! 

Feel like I don't have to talk about this as you know what it is.

Alas, the adventure was over. My dear aunts drove me to SEA/TAC and with lots of hugs and kisses, I bid them fair winds for the time being. I knew I'd be seeing them again soon.

When I was in the airport, I ran into an old friend, which was a wonderful surprise. We visited and then we had to part ways as there was a plane with my name on it. My adventure to the north was wonderful. I feel very blessed to have done this weekend trip and who knows where the next adventure will take us...except...what's this??

Come back to see the adventures ahead on this, the weekly read!

Until next week!

Your humble author,

S. Faxon 

   

Turkish Tea Time

 After a full week of unnnesessarliy warm weather, we've finally come to a break in the heat. Fall is in the air. I'm sitting outside watching Bella Tuna take her morning stroll, and I'm getting some fresh air in hopes that my cough that can wake the dead will be healed by the delightfully pleasant weather. 

Bella Tuna working out some of her boundless energy.

Yep, for those of you who tuned in last week my valiant batle against a sinus infecction has not ceased. It's getting a bit frustrating to be bested by a cold for this long. Any cold cure tips out there? If any of you have a "this is what mom had us do as kids" remedies, feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section and I'll be more than happy to try any of them.

You likely noticed that this week's post is entitled "Turkish Tea Time;" allow me to elaborate: On Saturday night, my family hosted a "Welcome home" party for me, in which I shared with them a Turkish style meal. With the wonderful help of my mom, we put together a beautiful spread, trying to replicate the experience that I had in Turkey in our very own backyard.

As I've said in previous posts, one of the primmary reasons for my visit to Turkey was to bring back the cultural lessons that I've learned to the States to share with as many people as possible. I think that this will become a standard practice for me after every country that I visit. Otherwise, if I learn about all of these amazing cultures, people and places, what good would it be to anyone if I selfishly keep what I learn to myself?

So, with my mom and an exceptionally large amount of tissues and hand wipies with me to help contain my cold, we scoured San Diego in search of Turkish goodies. From the International Market on Balboa Avenue we found bread, rose jam, and Turkish Delights.

From North Park Produce also on Balboa Avenue I bought Middle Eastern tea cups, they weren't Turkish style exactly. Turkish style are tulip shaped without a handle. These are tulip shaped, but have handles, which is fine.

The teacups that I purchased. 

I also purchased the fresh produce from this shop and some freshly baked Baklava. Yum.

For the feast, my mom and I prepared Turkish meatballs, Shepherd Salad, and a dill/cucumber yogurt dip. The rest was fresh or already made. 

The spread also included: spicy mixed olives, a creamy, salty cheese, flat bread, peaches, cherry juice (called "vishna" in Turkish) pomegranate vinegar, and lemons.

The spread.

We all sat down around the table and I explained to my family that for Shepherd salad, which is a culmination of essentially whatever veggies you have, you start by pouring on the olive oil, then the vinegar and then lemon. This is the Turkish way of serving it. I then showed them how to sprinkle fresh mint over the meatballs and to eat them with the yogurt dip. To our delight we discovered that the cheese and the rose jam on the bread made an exceptionally yummy treat. 

As we enjoyed ourself on the fine dining, I went inside to start the tea. Turkish tea is a process and a time honored tradition. While I currently do not have the proper tea making equipment, I'm making due with what I have. Once I have access to the proper tea kettle/pot combo I will go into greater detail as to how to make Turkish tea. But, essentially you let water boil and then pour it over loose tea leaves and then you let those tea leaves settle for 17 minutes. Yes, it is specific and this is how I was taught in Turkey. It varies from family to family. Once the tea is done steeping, you pour the tea in the cup, but only to the thinest part in the glass, then you fill the rest witih hot water. 

This is an image of the tulip shaped tea cups in Turkey - see how the middle becomes thin? That's the line to which you fill up with tea. The rest is filled with water. And yes, the cups are hot to the touch. On one evening, one of the gentlemen with whom we were dining noticed that I couldn't hold my tea cup so he improvised a tea cozy/sleeve for me out of a napkin, which I should have figured out to do, but alas, I hadn't yet enjoyed caffein. 

My dad and I brought out the tea on a lovely tea tray that I bought from Goodwill and we served the tea with sugar cubes and lemon. The best way to have the tea is to sweaten to taste, squeeze the lemon and then drop it inside the glass. The tea time was lovely and we all shared many laughs.

After tea we all went inside for coffee and treats. Turkish coffee, of course. Amid my coughs and snuffles all week, I'd been practicing the art of making Turkish coffee. I cannot tell you how many videos I watched in attempt to figure out this process and of course, no two videos are the same. BUT I am a thorough researcher, so after compiling my findings I thought I had found a descent process for me to follow.

Turish coffee is made in an "Jezvet," (photo below) and one made out of copper is the best. It is served in small, espressso sized cups as seen here:

In the photo, you see the white Turkish delight. It is a nice accompanyment to the coffee.

Here is the link to the video that was the most instructive toward how to make Turkish coffee and this instructor can explain the process much better than I. http://youtu.be/OOaI8JC1_EE 

While making the coffee myself, I was trying to explain the process to Victoria (my best friend) only to fail miserably on several attempts. I spilled coffee all over the stove top and I completely messed up the  ratio of water to coffee. Luckily for me, my family was not paying attention and it is customary for Victoria and me to laugh almost uncontrollably when we are together, so the status quo did not seem altered enough to gain attention.

On the third try, I managed to make a passable cup of Turkish coffee. I served it to my family with the traditional Turkish delight on the side. 

I failed to tell my family not to stir the coffee because there are dust-sized coffee grinds on the bottom of the cup and stirring them up makes drinking difficult. However, I did tell them not to swig the last sip because they'd have a mouthful of grinds. Alas, my parents did not receive the message. However, we shared many laughs and the food was wonderful. 

Victoria and my sister Amanda learning about Turkish food culture.

My family truly enjoyed the experience and they were abel to learn about a culture new to them. We went through a slide of the photos from the trip, which further allowed me to talk about Turkish culture and the current happenings in the country. 

Me feeling right at home (literally) feeling like a professor while sharing my experiences with my family.

The evening was a great success and as I happily shared the culture with my family, I hope that you too are inspired to go out and learn about a culture foreign to you. Go on, go and try it! You will likely be delightfully surprised with what you find. And please, by all means, share your experiences, your culture, or your family recipes with us here in the comment section at the Weekly Read! 

Now please excuse me, I have to go save a lizard from Bella.

Lizard that Bella kidnapped and took all over the backyard. He's mostly in one piece and now contently catching his breath in a lemon tree.

Until next week,

Your humble author,

S. Faxon

Foreward

Let's start with a proper E-introduction. Whether you're reading this on a train platform on your way to work or in the dreaded line at the DMV, we'll be spending some time together, so allow me to tell you about myself. For you San Diegans, you're reading the words of a fellow native who drove the lanes of the 8, the 5, and Morena Blvd more times than imaginable. For you New Yorkers, you're reading the words of an individual who equally suffers with you in the morning commute on the 4, 5, 6 line. The distance of space between my home lands and my current residence should cover the majority of everyone in between for relating.

So what do I do? What business has brought me to writing? Well, my time as a human rights activist and participant in developing democratic systems can become a bit heavy. Writing is my escape from the harder aspects of life and as such, I hope that my works will provide similar escapes for my readers. My career in international relations was not where my writing began. Prior to my eyes being opened to the needs of the world, feeling the tip of a pen to the page was my preferred get-away. In the last eleven years I have written thirteen full length novels, with one thus far being published. This book will be first featured in the blog.; I will post a section of my published work, The Feast and Follies of the Animal Court. If you just can't stand the wait for the next part, take comfort in knowing that the book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Feel free to read ahead, but please, no spoilers!

In the weekends in-between I will publish other smaller works to keep you entertained, as is the purpose of this page. If there are ever any questions about writing, human rights, or anything at all, please feel free to drop me a note.

Keep an eye out for next week's first book post!

Your humble writer,
S. Faxon