Tag Archives: ugly American

Just dropping by: Caught in the white cotton nightgown with juicy peaches and once-boiled tea


It is 10 a.m. and the sun is beating down on the waxy leaves of the pomegranate bush outside – I can almost see the heat waves emanating from the leaves themselves. I thought that only happened from inanimate objects…like … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-cultural learning moments, Visits from the Karagöz puppets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

From Islamic feminism and the perfect demure nightgown to topless ladies on the beach


One day over a Turkish breakfast feast in his breezy South Boston apartment, my boyfriend invited me to visit Turkey with him.   It was mid-bite – and a delicious bite at that – fresh, white feta-like cheese with sour cherry … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-cultural learning moments, Gendered moments, Turkish Food!, Turkish-American Matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Karagöz and Hacivad Navigate Our Road to Gelibolu


Dust is all around us.  It is coming through the AC vent into the car.  I think about one of the women I am named for, the author of The Flame Trees of Thika, and her description of getting coated in … Continue reading

Posted in Cross-cultural learning moments, Visits from the Karagöz puppets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments