By all historical accounts, Istanbul was the place to be during the height of the Ottoman Empire. It was the central nervous system of a vastly expanded territory. Wonderous riches poured in from all directions. Caravans traveling down the Silk...

Recently, I have had a reality check of the most serious variety. It has occurred to me that the gravy train that I have been on for the last four years is about to come to a screeching halt. I’ve had a good haul on this train, that’s for sure. ...

Kebap is not just a food in Turkey; it’s a way of life. I had no real concept of what kebap was before moving here. First off, we say, “kabob” in States and that usually comes after “shish”. This thing that we call shish kabob is actually what is...

Years ago, my brother Nick accompanied me on a dream vacation to the Peruvian Amazon. The following is an excerpt of a short story about a trip that changed both our lives. On the third day, we came to breakfast and met our new lodge mates. We’ll...

We have just finished celebrating a big holiday here in Turkey; the Şeker Bayram (the Sugar Festival), marking the end of fasting for Ramadan. Traditionally, families pay respect to their elders by kissing their hands and, if they are lucky, they...