Istanbul is such a captivating city. This blend of music, food and connection over coffee captures it beautifully. The cornbread sounds like that was a Laz restaurant...there are other similarities with Southern US cooking...interesting......
THIS is the way to write and share a "travelogue"... food, music, friendship, connection, coffee! Thank you for sharing your time in Istanbul, a place I have wanted to visit for decades. I doubt I will ever be able to, but dreams are sweet in their own way.
Music: I've always been drawn to Turkish music, no idea why, it simply strikes a very deep chord in me (similar with Persian music) and don't know much about it. A small group of Turkish folk musicians visited our city last year and by chance, I discovered it -- we got tickets and WHAT a treat to experience it live. The bonus? Most of the audience (estimate perhaps 96%) were Turkish! The performers started off explaining in okay-enough English, but as they soon discovered THERE WAS NO NEED! (Luckily for the seven or eight vanilla 'natives' ourselves included) they would offer small snippets in English. I loved it anyway, because it allowed me to hear the language live and to watch, observe, and feel how everyone (men, women, children, all ages) reacted and were moved by the words, then the songs.
Many travel blessings to you! Stay safe, and take care of yourself. Your vessel is all you have, other than time, love, and connection. <3
Yes and that’s why I think music and food are the best way into a culture…hardly any need for words to understand each other! Hope you make it to Istanbul one day, it’s a special place for sure
I think your column here and the timing of my reading it, with the added "seasoning" of your reply (thank you) has worked some magic. This morning, I have received an email invitation addressed to me
"Dear Music lover,
Turkish and Greek musicians invite you to a night of beautiful songs from a beautiful geography. The languages may be different, but the music speaks as one. Come and experience unity, peace, and friendship through familiar melodies.
Join us and be part of this special eastern music night.
I am excited all over again! Thank you so much, Francesco! I feel like you almost spoke them back into my little corner of the world (that you visited in January, another thanks flying your way. Having eclectic music tastes means fewer opportunities to see unique live music. I must have put my email on a list at the tiny venue last year. YESSSS!
Thanks for the lovely story on Istanbul, and especially the tip on Derya Turkan! Although I can't taste the baklava and other other delicacies, I can listen to the music, right now! And, my datturini tomatoes and Melanzana Rossa di Rotonda plants have done well inside over the winter and are wonderful. Best, Ben
Yes do check out his extensive discography! He has so many amazing albums. And yay on the tomatoes and aubergines! It’s a dream to imagine to be growing them…and both so present in Turkish food too bdway
Istanbul is such a captivating city. This blend of music, food and connection over coffee captures it beautifully. The cornbread sounds like that was a Laz restaurant...there are other similarities with Southern US cooking...interesting......
THIS is the way to write and share a "travelogue"... food, music, friendship, connection, coffee! Thank you for sharing your time in Istanbul, a place I have wanted to visit for decades. I doubt I will ever be able to, but dreams are sweet in their own way.
Music: I've always been drawn to Turkish music, no idea why, it simply strikes a very deep chord in me (similar with Persian music) and don't know much about it. A small group of Turkish folk musicians visited our city last year and by chance, I discovered it -- we got tickets and WHAT a treat to experience it live. The bonus? Most of the audience (estimate perhaps 96%) were Turkish! The performers started off explaining in okay-enough English, but as they soon discovered THERE WAS NO NEED! (Luckily for the seven or eight vanilla 'natives' ourselves included) they would offer small snippets in English. I loved it anyway, because it allowed me to hear the language live and to watch, observe, and feel how everyone (men, women, children, all ages) reacted and were moved by the words, then the songs.
Many travel blessings to you! Stay safe, and take care of yourself. Your vessel is all you have, other than time, love, and connection. <3
Yes and that’s why I think music and food are the best way into a culture…hardly any need for words to understand each other! Hope you make it to Istanbul one day, it’s a special place for sure
I think your column here and the timing of my reading it, with the added "seasoning" of your reply (thank you) has worked some magic. This morning, I have received an email invitation addressed to me
"Dear Music lover,
Turkish and Greek musicians invite you to a night of beautiful songs from a beautiful geography. The languages may be different, but the music speaks as one. Come and experience unity, peace, and friendship through familiar melodies.
Join us and be part of this special eastern music night.
Ticket link:
https://buytickets.at/nirvanamusicart/1674910"
I am excited all over again! Thank you so much, Francesco! I feel like you almost spoke them back into my little corner of the world (that you visited in January, another thanks flying your way. Having eclectic music tastes means fewer opportunities to see unique live music. I must have put my email on a list at the tiny venue last year. YESSSS!
Great article - thanks very much for sharing it.
Thanks for reading 😊
Dear Francesco,
Thanks for the lovely story on Istanbul, and especially the tip on Derya Turkan! Although I can't taste the baklava and other other delicacies, I can listen to the music, right now! And, my datturini tomatoes and Melanzana Rossa di Rotonda plants have done well inside over the winter and are wonderful. Best, Ben
Yes do check out his extensive discography! He has so many amazing albums. And yay on the tomatoes and aubergines! It’s a dream to imagine to be growing them…and both so present in Turkish food too bdway