Weekend is Over

What a weekend, Sunday I went out with Ozan to try to find spices for cooking some traditional Iraqi treats.  I found the recipe Is Something Burning?!  Thanks River!  The impossible item was dates and perhaps this is the wrong time of year to try to find them in Istanbul.  I substituted dried figs and it turned out great.  I recommend the recipe for anyone looking for some goodies that aren't just lumps of sugar.

It's hot!  This is really something, summer is on the doorstep.  People outdoors at cafes seek out the shaded spots and the plazas and streets are teeming with color.  Yesterday was also a match day for Galatasaray, people were out in jerseys, some walked along beating drums and singing and everywhere street vendors are selling apparel in team colors.

There was also another explosion in Istanbul, thankfully no one was killed.  It occured in Bakırköy, a district along the Sea of Marmara about half way between the old city wall and the airport.  The Story on BBC