Kumpir - The Turkish Potato Snack

I was in Istanbul a few weeks back with some of my high school friends, which was great!

What I always do when I head to Istanbul is go to Ortaköy, which is on the European side and get myself Kumpir. Örtakoy is a wonderful part of Istanbul that has many side streets, open air markets, lovely smells of all sorts of types of food, colours and most importantly a beautiful view of the Bosphorous!! I would recommend this place to anyone planning to visit Istanbul.

And I would also recommend Kumpir, which is basically a baked potato mixed with cheese and butter and topped with any ingredient of your choice. Usually the more the better! Lots of ketchup and then a good walk afterwards because you will be full!

In Örtaköy they have a line of stalls selling Kumpir or waffles. I have attached a few photos so you can get a general idea! Instead of getting them from the stalls I would recommend finding a place in the side streets that lead to terraces with great views of the sea! Divan for example is a good choice!

And all that is left to say is Bon Apetit! Or in Turkish, Afiyet Olsun! :)

Missing Rose - Kayıp Gül

Recently I picked this book up on my way back from Turkey - "Kayıp Gül" or "Missing Rose" by Serdar Özkan. I finished the entire book on one 3 and half hour plane ride. It has been translated into 39 different languages and is available in over 50 countries. Described in the book and on
the website (Available

here) as :

“Compulsory reading for all who are thrilled by The Alchemist, The Little Prince and Jonathan Livingston Seagull.”

Air Beletrina - SLOVENIA

it is a book that was close to my heart. Set in San Francisco and in Istanbul it is a novel about the spiritual and personal journey of a young woman in her 20s. Yes, many see the Alchemist as cheesy, but it it is loved for the very reason that it does make us feel uplifted and inspires us to do more with our life and try to discover what we really want to do in this short but sweet life. This book does the same thing - it makes us question our motivations and our decisions. It allows us to truly remember that 'better late than never'. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages who enjoy a bit of fantasy and are open to new ideas!

One chapter got me thinking about the observation that the protagonist makes (don't worry this is not a spoiler!) - If you entered a cafe and ordered two of your favourite cookie but they only had one so they put another cookie next to it on a plate - would you eat your favourite one first or second?

I decided I would eat mine second, but might take a bite from it first! (Delayed gratification versus instant? or wanting to seize the day versus being too full to eat the second?) If you have any thoughts or comments feel free to leave them! I'd be interested to know.