December 2013 archive

27 things to do in Paris

France, Travel

When the airplane brings me to Paris, these are the 27 things that I like to do:

1. Going to L’Éclair de Génie for delicious éclairs.

2. Going to Ladurée for the macarons. It is like taking a part in fairy tale. I am the princess and you are the frog. And what if i kiss you?

3. Going to Angelina cafe for l’Africain chocolate and the Mont Blanc. A ritual habit. Don’t think, don’t speak. Just taste and enjoy.

4. Sitting at the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur with many other tourists gazing at the Parisian Rooftops. And when the night falls, you start to fall for everything. J’adore!!!

5. Eating chocolate crepes in Montmartre. How many could you eat?

6. Going for a coffee/drink to the Cafè des Deux Moulins in the rue Lepic because you promised it to Amelie and she is waiting for you.

7. Shopping in the boutiques of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The credit card is going to suffer!

8. Thinking of my favorite French film “La Boum” with the hope that I will suddenly meet Sophie Marceau and she will take me to some crazy parties where people dance “Dreams are my reality…The only kind of real fantasy….”

9. Visiting the famous Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay and spending hours inside there.

10. Meeting friends in Rue Oberkampf for some cocktails.

11. Losing my way in Marrais and Saint Germain thinking of Edith Piaf! Non, je ne regrette rien!

12. When it is time for a flea market, all the roads bring me to Les Puces de Saint-Ouen.

13. Walking along the river Seine gazing at the stands of the second-hand dealers.

14. Flicking through books in the bookstore Shakespeare and Company.

15. Enjoying coffee at the famous Café de Flore and Café les deux Magots.

16. Wearing a beret and holding a Baguette under my arm trying to look like a real Parisian girl.

17. Pampering myself with a luxurious breakfast at the Hotel de Crillon.

18. Picnicking in the Jardin du Luxembourg with a candle. SUPER ROMANTIC!!!

19. The Trilogy of Happiness: French wine, French cheese, French baguette! My favorite cheese is Cancoillotte. I love to share it with Ratatouille because he always has something interesting to say about the french haute cuisine!

20. Having a sophisticated French dinner at La Ferrandaise restaurant!

21. Taking pictures of the Eiffel Tour from the Trocadéro, day and night!

22. Visiting the two islands Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis reaching to the Notre-Dame Cathedral with an ice cream Berthillon in your hand.

23. Stopping for a break in the Fontaine Stravinsky in front of the Centre George Pompidou.

24. Visiting my favourites Place des Vosges, Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde, Place Charles de Gaulle, place Madeleine, Place de l’Opéra.

25. Sitting in one of the green chairs in the fontaines du Jardin des Tuileries.

26. The wall of “I love you” in Place des Abbesses. Don’t even dare to miss it! Oui Paris, je t’aime beaucoup aussi er pour toujours!!!

27. Having Picnic (or just bring one bottle of wine and two glasses, it’s enough) on “Pont des Arts” at the sunset. Bring a padlock, write something on it, and lock it forever on the bridge.

Is there anything to add? Have I forgot something? Mon Dieu! The list is endless…

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Holidays in Istanbul

Travel, Turkey
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22 Things I like to do when the airplane lands in Istanbul:

1. Feeling the magic that is in the air all over the city. It is that feeling that you cannot describe with words.

2. The beautiful view from Galata Tower and also from the Pierre Loti Café.

3. Drinking dozens of cups of apple tea and fresh pomegranate juice while strolling through the city.

4. Talking and laughing with the Turks. They are so generous, friendly and funny.

5. Exploring Istanbul by night around Istiklal Caddesi to places such as the Bar 360 with its amazing view.

6. Eating baklava and tasting all other Turkish sweets such as kazandibi.

7. Taking a boat for cruise to the Prince’s Islands and enjoying the Bosphorus.

8. Asking a DJ or live music group to play my favourite Turkish song Anlamazdin Anlamazdin… the song reminds me of someone!

9. Trying to find where my favourite Turkish film took place, especially the last scene which was thrilling. The name of the film is Issiz Adam! Love it!

10. Going for a hamam in the Cemberlitas Hamami Turkish Baths and all of a sudden learning that they have a special price only for Greeks and they do it just because. This is what why call love!!

11. Losing myself in the narrow streets of the Spice Bazaar and in the Grand Bazaar, preferably not in the weekend because it is extremely crowded.

12. Taking a boat to Kadikoy, a beautiful way to pass from the European to the Asian sides of Istanbul! Wandering through the crowd, you can find thousands of small shops, you can taste the Turkish coffee, doner kebab and more.

13. Trying to negotiate for a better price and manage to take everything in half price!!!!

14. Going for shopping in the street Abdi Ipekci in Nisantasi.

15. Asking from a fisherman to give you the fishing Rod and trying to catch a fish in the Galata Bridge.

16. Taking a taxi or a dolmus and let the driver drive you crazy…

17. Visiting all the monuments in Sultanahmet area such as Ayasofya, Top kapi, The Basilica Cistern, BlueMosque. They are next to each other. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological museum.

19. Finding a beautiful Turkish guy and propose him that if you dance for him, he should then cook for you, like in the film “A touch of spice”. I don’t think that they will say no…

20. Taking pictures of the colourful houses in Balat, a different side of the city and playing with the children. If you buy them an ice cream you might have the honour to get a kiss from them.

21. Strolling in front of the Ortakoy Mosque when the sunset falls with the view of the Bosphorus bridge behind you.

22. But the best of all was the life lesson, that I already knew, but it is proven to me one more time. People who don’t have a lot of money are the people that they will treat you with the best way. They were the one that gave us to eat without wanting money, they were the one who told us “thank you for coming in Istanbul” and from their way, you could feel it, that they really meant it.

Seni Seviyorum İstanbul, çok teşekkür ederim, Tekrar geleceğim.

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