secret things

unexpected gems

Yesterday afternoon I stepped onto the tarmac of Istanbul's Atatürk International Airport. I deeply miss San Francisco, but I am thrilled to be back home. I have loads of unpacking and settling in to do, so the next few posts will be a kind of a continuation of my American Holiday.

On Wednesday, I explored a forest with Rebecca in New Hampshire. What I love about most about forests are all the hidden gems, easily missed when not paying attention. I am drawn to the colours and shapes of lichen and fungus, the near-perfect symmetry of a fern, the delicate structures of the little creatures that scurry around the fallen and rotting leaves.

forests and warm potatoes

When I was a little girl, I loved to take walks in the forest with my dad. It's been almost a decade since I have walked in a forest, so today's little venture into Belgrad Ormanı, or Belgrade Forest, was simply wonderful. It was so soothing to be in that quiet air that only forests have— singing birds, trees rustling, streams gushing. In a couple of weeks, the floor will be covered in yellow, purple and white flowers, and the trees will be showing off their new bright green leaves. I saw all sorts of birds— colourful finches, hooded crows and some kind of small bird of prey that was very well camouflaged.

The temperature had dropped considerably from Tuesday's warmth, and it started to drizzle. With my nose red and my fingers cold, what could be better than a hot baked potato from Mr. Kumpir— the baked potato vendors? Once in town, I bought myself a potato whipped up with butter, salt, cheese, topped with sliced hot-dogs in a savoury sauce and kısır— a delicious bulghur salad with tomato and red pepper paste. Heaven on a cold day.