My lovely, talented and creative sorority sister visited Finland with some of her family members. Her perspective about life in general is very interesting to me because she is resilient and family-oriented as well as innovative in her pursuits. She shared with me her trip experience and how she put her own Italian-American spin on things in Finland.
What inspired you to travel to Finland?
We went to visit a family friend who plays basketball for Lapua, Finland which is in the central Eastern inland portion of Finland. (not the coast). We went to two of his Lapua Cobras games. Their seasons run from October- May. I went with my 12 year old son, my 23 year old daughter and her 2 year old son.
What did your trip itinerary involve?
We started in Helsinki and Lapua and then took a day trip to Vaasa. Everything is written in Finnish or Swedish. Some people speak English but a lot of print material was either Finnish or Swedish. Kotka is on the Southwest coast and seaside. Vaasa is on the East coast. Our favorite was Kotka because Lapua was a rural and small hometown. Kotak was bigger and urban. Typically, I don’t think a tourist would go to Lapua but we went because of the basketball connection.
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
Lapua Gardens! The hometown atmosphere was great. There was no fast food but several pizzarias. We went to grocery stores and cooked every night for our friend. Lapua used to be the largest ammunition plant in Finland. It had an explosion that killed 60 people. Now, it’s a museum; not a plant anymore. It’s been moved outside of the city.
Describe the perfect Finnish meal.
We cooked our own food but we did discover a dish of fried fish and potatoes that was good.
Describe the vibe of the culture.
The people were very nice, very accommodating. Everyone we met, even the cab driver, was nice. He walked us into a train station and showed us how to buy a ticket.
(Travel tip: credit cards with chips in them are part of the heightened security methods there. They were necessary for the train kiosks. It is helpful to know that ahead of time.)
Describe a custom that you observed there. Did you incorporate any of their customs back home?
Bikes were everywhere! I loved that! Even the elderly biked. Their walkers had scooters, a footpad, wheels and they could scoot along in them. They were like skateboard walkers. No one is overweight there. Breakfast was slices of salami, ham, cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes. We incorporated their breakfast back home. At the games, they served bratwurst with no buns vs. the traditional American home dog in a bun. The lack of fast food places contributes to their lack of obesity there.
What did you learn about yourself from this trip?
To not bring so much luggage! We way overpacked! I also learned that I can travel anywhere and be fine. When something goes wrong, I’m always a “go with the flow” person. I booked our hotel rooms the day before on Expedia. I did not rent a car because I didn’t have an international driver’s license. Most cars there are stick-shift anyway and I don’t drive that. We used public transportation anyway. Their public transportation is fabulous. Finland is kid-oriented. For example, restaurants had a playroom for kids and so did the airports. If you had a stroller, you went to the front of lines in airports or transportation places. VR public trains were awesome and they go all across the country. On the last night, we stayed in Helsinki which is the “New York of Finland”.
How did this trip enrich your life?
It was fun to take my 12 year old son (my baby) because of the one on one time. My daughter had her baby, too.
So it was two moms with their two babies–you got to be the grandmother and the mother. Tell me about your pie making activity there. That intrigues me.
Yes. We made blueberry pies, blueberry/raspberry and apple pies. The family friend we visited, who is a basketball player there, lives in an apartment complex of ball players. He had a Finnish style kitchen with an interesting feature of drying racks built into the cabinets that drained over sinks. It was like a 1940’s kitchen. The inspiration to bake pies came from wanting to make homemade food for him.
So the Italian-Americans made Italian meatballs and American pies in Finland!?
Yes, my son and I made my grandmother’s Italian meatballs recipe and my daughter made pies.
Italian meatballs in Finland
photos by Allie Meehan
Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:
My exotic and electrifying Venezuelan friend shared her knowledge with me about her homeland of Venezuela. This intelligent and dynamic businesswoman gave careful thought and reflection to her impressions of her homeland, then and now. I have always been fascinated with Venezuela from the first time I met her back in the 1980’s. When our family was vacationing in Aruba in 1981, we could see Venezuela in the distance only 14 miles away, approximately. I have been curious about this South American country since then.
How long did you live in Venezuela?
I lived there for 18 years and left to go to college in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What trip itinerary would you recommend?
From Houston, you can take a direct flight in one of the major airlines, or take other airlines and go via Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica. From other cities one might be able to take a direct flight or make a stop in a hub city. But going to Venezuela right now is not one recommendation I would make. Venezuela is going through a terrible time politically, economically, and socially. The current government has made it its task to ruin my beautiful country. Unfortunately, Venezuela is one of the most dangerous countries in the world right now where 25,000 people die of common crime and kidnappings every year for the last several years- a statistic that is alarming and disturbing.
Tepuy
Describe the terrain.
Even though I have lived away from Venezuela for the last 35 years, I still have much concern and love for my country of birth. Venezuela has some of the most beautiful natural resources you could find anywhere in the world. She has beaches to die for, with white sand and incredibly blue refreshing water from the Caribbean. Caracas, the main capital has the Avila Mountain, which is also called the lung of Caracas. It is a beautiful mountain that welcomes “Caraquenos” every morning with amazing views! Other mountains throughout the country are also incredibly gorgeous, some very sharp lines; others luscious.
The Andes Mountain range is part of those mountains. You can go to the area where you can find snow! Venezuela has a desert, and has jungle- one of the most incredible earth formations in the world are found there, as well as the tallest water fall in the world called “Churumeru”, also called the Angel’s Fall. I choose to call it by its indigenous name instead.
Angel Fall or Churumeru
What was it like growing up there?
I grew up during the 1970’s, which were great years in Venezuela. As a teenager I could go out with my friends everywhere without fear of being robbed or assaulted. Typically, we went out, to parties, or the dancing clubs and from there we would go to the “areperas”: where we would have an arepa as a late snack. At times we would go straight from there to the beach, which is about 45 minutes away. Of course, that was late at night and little traffic. It was a healthy, fun, safe time to be out!
Caracas
When you go back, how do you feel? What are you proud about sharing with your son?
When I go back, I very much look forward to spending time with my family and seeing some of my good friends. I’m proud of how we feel family is so important, and how our some of our friends are forever. Resiliency is something we admire. Venezuelans have the best sense of humor and great resiliency, perhaps to a fault….we endure way too much in Venezuela now.
What museums do you recommend?
Back then, the Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Natural Sciences and the Museum of Contemporary Art which housed original Picassos and original artists. I assume they are still there, but I am not sure in what condition they are. As I mentioned, this government has destroyed so much of Venezuela. Thank God the people continue to move forward and do their best to survive in such chaos.
When you came to attend the University of Tulsa, what did you find here in Tulsa regarding the culture that stood out as different?
It was a completely new city, new culture, a new world for me. Three things made a great impact on me: The large number of churches, people walking barefoot in Tulsa! I grew up being told to put my shoes on all the time. And, last but not least, the racial discrimination here also stood out to me. Tulsa became my home for the next 33 years of my life. It was a city that welcomed me, and I will always be grateful for that. I made the greatest friends and had wonderful colleagues. My best friends live there, my son grew up there, I went to school for my bachelors and both masters degrees and worked in Tulsa for the last 20 years. I miss it and will always love my Tulsa.
Describe the perfect Venezuelan meal.
I love the fusion of food Venezuela has. Venezuelan, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian influences. …. European influence and some German food, too. Arepa is the typical dish that is made from cornmeal flour that looks like a round muffin but prettier and much more delicious. .You open it and put shredded beef, cheese, ham….everything you want in it. It is the “best breakfast in the world.”
Tell me about your background and identity.
I am Venezuelan and partly Spanish and German descent. In my family tree, I am a descendant of Simon Bolivar who liberated Latin America from Spain back in the 1800’s.
What Venezuelan customs did you incorporate in Tulsa while raising your son?
Eating at the table together was an important part of the culture. Taking care of each other, and celebrating holidays and important dates. Being bilingual has been an advantage, too. I raised my child to be bilingual and because of that he has career advantages, and languages come easily for him. He loves to be a world citizen, travel and enjoy the richness of different cultures.
Andes Mountains
Describe the vibe of the culture.
The vibe is alive! It’s vibrant and happy. We are in a depressed situation in Venezuela now but despite of that, we’re happy, content, and have a wit that is unique. People are resilient, resourceful….and have a sense of humor that allows us to have our own kind of fun. Dancing is a big deal—-Venezuelans are born dancing! We dance without music, in the car, everywhere!
How does your Venezuelan heritage enrich your life?
I have the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. I can be an insider or an outsider. It can enrich me to see, understand and accept people differently. I feel like I am a citizen of the world.
My talented writer and photographer friend is an enchanting and earthy woman who embodies the term “philhelene.” She embraced all things Greek a few decades ago when our family got to befriend her. This yoga lover also loves gardening and immersing herself in the Greek culture. She spent several weeks on the island of Icaria in an Greek language immersion course which inspired her to write a children’s book. I invited her to be a guest speaker at a Greek language class I taught decades ago at my church. She vividly described her experience and love for the Greek language and passed around many photos for my Greek School students to see. I am inspired by her drive to learn a foreign language and culture as an adult.
Swimming hole with cavern for us locals
What inspired you to travel to Ikaria?
I was drawn to Ikaria because it offered classes on Modern Greek Language. The name of the school is the Hellenic Culture Center (Kentro Ellinikou Politismou). I had been to Greece several times with my best friend Renee and had fallen in love with the people and started studying the language and learning to speak it, but I wanted to immerse myself in their culture with no English spoken.
with one of my favorite girls
This was my fourth trip to Greece in five years and stayed for six weeks. I could have taken this class in Athens, but I want to immerse myself into the life of the beautiful people. And Ikaria is NOT a touristy island. It is known for being an “exile” island where Turkey often banished criminals. (update: HCC has moved it’s little school from the sea side village of Evdilos to a very small village just a few miles away in the VERY small village of Arethoussa. Courses are offered on Ikaria May-October. You may want to check out their site for more info.)
Farm fields by the sea seen from my balcony
What did your trip itinerary involve?
A long flight to Athens, then a long ferry trip to Ikaria and my teacher picked me up in a very small car and then we drove 30 something miles to our small village. Oh my- the car ride! Definitely worthy of race car driver material. Curves at full speed and the only time we slowed down was to avoid a man riding his donkey. I was so car sick.
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
To me the whole island was a museum. It was like stepping back in time as it was not modernized or touristy. As part of our Greek language immersion class, we visited small villages all over the island, hiked the beautiful mountain/island trails, learned Greek dances, visited churches, attended lectures on works by Greek painters, poets and writers and learned how to make donut holes (loukoumathes) using local honey. We attended Greek festivals of dancing and we learned to show and prepare our own Greek dinner. We had to speak Greek to the little man in the store to buy our food.
night time village festival
We watched Greek films and listened to Greek music. On my own, I went on excursions and was most impressed with the self-reliance of the local village people. This comes from their families’ history and experience with war. They would have starved had they not grown their own food. So the old stone aqueducts they had built from the mountain were still in use. Water flowed down these to their gardens by the sea. So much produce! Excursions were available to islands of Fournoi, Patmos and Samos. I took an excursion to the island of Patmos and hiked to the top to the cave where it is believed that St. John saw God and wrote Revelations. We toured the cave where John lived and then hiked up to the monastery. There was a fantastic museum, small alley ways with shops and tavernas. A must visit.
What hotels and restaurants do you recommend?
Keep in mind these are the places located close to Evdilos. I am not familiar with other hotels on the island. Very few. These places are located close to Evdilos, a coastal village of 600 people. There are limited places to stay as far as hotels, but several family owned studio apartments near the beach of Kerame. That’s where I stayed along with several other students from Germany and Belgium and they have now become life long friends. It was so clean and fresh and complete with bedroom, bath, kitchen and balcony that overlooked the garden by the sea. We walked each day about a mile to class in Evdilos.
Other places included Sofia apartments and Atheros Hotel which is located in the village of Evdilos. It has a pool and gym. Other options included staying with families of Arethoussa.
How would you describe the perfect Icarian meal?
I love, love, love. love briam with fresh Greek bread. “Bree-ahm” is made with all kinds of vegetables baked in LOTS of olive oil. I always ate a Greek salad with feta cheese and the funniest of all things…..there was only one little grocery story and I am addicted to Coca Cola light. I drank so much over my two week stay that the owner of the store had to order more. Of course, everything had to be shipped in by ferry. SO let’s just say I was the talk of the town for my habit! 🙂
Describe the vibe of the culture?
The culture was very different from anything you would experience in the U.S. or even in other places of Greece. Again, it was as if I was stepping back in time and I think due to its remoteness and history of an exile for prisoners and criminals, it is not on the radar of many. So it was common to see people riding mules, farming, building rock fences, and most interesting of all, I got to attend a Communist rally in the village. I was there during the Kosovo war when there was political conflict with America. I always passed as a Greek American because I could speak enough Greek, so I was not harassed. I was the only American in our group of students.
Gorgeous rug made by a village woman
The island is very laid back and a great island to hike from village to village and REALLY experience what Greek culture is like. You won’t find big party groups, but more traditional festivals and old stone houses falling down that are for sell and some people buying and fixing them.
milking goat for breakfast
Describe a custom that you observed there. Did you incorporate any of their customs back home?
I use a lot of the Greek language and gestures such as saying “nosteemo” after a good meal. I respect their self-reliance and felt so connected to their farming and use of honey. And I make baklava every Christmas with filo dough in their honor. I so loved the fresh bread I bought every day from the bakery.
woman at the church making loukoumades (honey puffs)
Were there any challenges in getting to your destination? What was the flight like?
Th flight to Athens is always a long trip. Ikaria is remote. You can fly from Athens to Samos and take a ferry or take a ferry from Athens. There is no easy way, but that’s what makes it so special. Few people will go to all that trouble to get to a Greek island so the island is not full of tourists, but full of REAL Greeks.
hilltop shot of Evdilos village
What did you learn about yourself from this trip?
That I was probably a Greek in a former life. 🙂 Seriously, what I learned was to see Americans through the eyes of another culture and their thoughts about us. As it was during a war in Kosovo, I experienced the negativity that America is the richest nation in the world. However, for me, I saw them as the richest people in the world with their simple lifestyle. It did make me sad how cultures view each other. So all to say, I did a self exam on my views about other cultures and have tried to open myself up to differences of opinions and respect them.
my neighbor sharing her harvest with me from the fields
How did this trip enrich your life? Describe any experiences that made you grow spiritually.
I got to grow and l love the family that owned and operated the apartments. I fell in love with their children, little Alikn. (Alice). I helped them milk the goat each morning. They used that milk for their cereal and that was so funny because they used a Coca-Cola bottle to squirt the milk into instead of a bucket. Just fantastic and humorous. As a writer, it brought me closer to the legend of Icarus who flew to close to the sun and his wings melted; so he fell to earth and thus Ikaria was created. I felt so connected to my love of literature, experiencing an authentic life of another culture. I yearn to return there and wish I could fly on my own wings! 🙂
fisherman baiting hooks for fishing. great conversation with him!
While there as part of our Greek immersion, I wrote a children’s story and took photos to illustrate it and still have it. It’s so precious to me; the memories and the wild billy goat that graces the cover. The title is called Billy Goat (Katsika) HA! As an avid gardener/farmer, I fell in love with their lifestyle and would love to live there in an old stone house, with a garden and a billy goat.
To summarize: Ikaria nurtured my body and soul with authenticity of a true Greek life for that island. It is not typical of other islands and so I experienced something unique that you can experience nowhere else on earth. I so believe in Mark Twain’s quote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” ~ Mark Twain
My friend went on a Mediterranean cruise that included Egypt. Going to Egypt had been her childhood dream. This beautiful and radiant young woman has such a sparkle about her and it was fulfilling to know she achieved her dream travel destination.
What inspired you to travel to Egypt?
It was part of the cruise itinerary. I’ve always dreamed of seeing the pyramids from a very young age. The pyramids are one of the most recognizable and iconic things that you study about as a child. Egyptian culture and history has always fascinated me.
What did your trip itinerary involve?
The bus tour from Alexandria to Cairo was a planned tour. We saw the Cairo Museum, the pyramids, and a King’s Palace where they served us food in a ballroom.
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
Definitely, the Cairo Museum! It was incredible! —the coolest experience of my life. It was breathtaking and the pyramids were larger than you expected. The museum had the most artifacts of Egyptian culture you could find in one place from caskets to pieces of art.
Describe the vibe of the culture.
Cairo was fast paced and busy with six lanes of traffic. There were kids trying to sell things in different languages. If you didn’t respond to English, they’d try out other languages in a row. Alexandria had a lot of poverty. Driving through it, we saw the community hospital which was a public hospital for the economically challenged people and a different hospital for the wealthy people.
How would you describe the terrain?
It was only desert where we were.
Describe a custom that you observed there.
On the cruise, they told us we need to respect the local culture by covering our shoulders and knees so I wore a tee shirt and sweats.
Were there any challenges in getting to your destination?
No. The tour buses were lined up once you got off the cruise ship and it was very organized.
How did this trip enrich your life? Describe any experiences that made you grow spiritually?
It’s a simple as being thankful. I’m grateful that I saw it. After seeing broken down buildings and people on the streets, it makes me thankful for what I have.
What did you learn about yourself from this trip?
I wish I would’ve looked around more and taken it in, enjoying just standing there in awe rather than being busy taking pictures. From the perspective now (and not then when I was 19), I look back, now that there have been riots, etc. and I feel truly blessed that I saw one of the wonders of the world.
Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:
RED ZINFANDEL! how do i love thee? Let me count the ways!
Earthquake
7 Deadly Zins
Boneshaker
Predator
Coppola Red Label Zinfandel 2013
Saldo
Let’s start with EARTHQUAKE. Hold on—the earth is moving! Why? Because there is an earth shattering deliciousness going on with this red zinfandel! It is by FAR my favorite red zin. It’s delicious. I’m not going to saturate you with lots of info—just get it!!
Next—is 7 Deadly Zins. It is also made by the Michael David Winery, like Earthquake. It is less expensive. Very good! Boneshaker is the most recent one I’ve sampled. It’s also aromatic, pungent and dissolves easily into your taste buds. The employee at the liquor store said it’s flying off the shelves.
Predator is a delightful zinfandel. My husband brought this one home and I was impressed. Great price, too! Coppola Red Label Zinfandel (and any Coppola wine) is another smooth zin. I haven’t met a Coppola wine I didn’t like. Saldo is luscious. From the first sip, it was perfection. It’s tied for first place with Earthquake for my favorites.
Antioxidants + entertainment = benefits from wine. Red Zinfandels are flavorful and rich and, in my opinion, they pair well with any food.
Let’s talk guacamole! The guacamole at Zocalo on the Kansas City Country Club Plaza is delicious!!!!! Paired with a sangria—wow!!! And what can beat having these during a happy hour special??? The chips were perfect!! The guacamole was smooth……and the sangria was refreshing! I really like the indoor/outdoor ambience of Zocalo….so many of the restaurants on the plaza have that format—and it enhances your dining pleasure to be both outside and inside. There’s white sangria and red sangria. The bartender brought me a white sangria sample. Now, that’s service!! If you’re looking for a Mexican food experience on the plaza, try Zocalo!www.zocalokc.com
My friend and our church’s head chef for the Greek Festival is a treasured volunteer and cantor in our Greek Orthodox community. He is from Cyprus originally and travels back annually to visit his homeland and family. This magnetic and charming person shared his information and recommendations about Cyprus with me.
What inspired you to travel to Cyprus?
I was born there. However, having lived as many years in Cyprus as in the US, I almost feel like a tourist when I visit the island these days.
What did your trip itinerary involve?
Tulsa to a major US airport (Chicago) to a major European Airport (London Heathrow) to Larnaca (island’s largest airport).
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
Cyprus has a very rich history dating back thousands of years. You can easily spend weeks just visiting museums and archeological sites. In the island’s archeological museum in Nicosia (Lefkosia), you can find information and exhibits from the first settlements dating back 10,000 BC to the most recent history. You can observe the historical findings and see how Cyprus evolved.
If you are visiting Lefkosia, the island’s capital, you can observe the Venetian walls surrounding the old city. The regional Renaissance fortifications are preserved here. They are a major tourist attraction.You can also visit the Choirokitia archeological site, southern part of the island, where you can find one of the most important and best preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean (Neolithic era, 7 millennium BC). The evidence of an organized society is found in the form of a settlement.
An excursion to the western part of the island is a must. On the way there you can stop by the “Petra tou Rwmiou” (“rock of the Greek”) and enjoy your coffee on a café overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the birth place of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. A few more miles to the west, you can find the place -that as the legend has it- Aphrodite used to take her bath with her lover Adonis. This is very near a national park in the most Western peninsula where you can find wild life (preservation area for a unique sea turtle species caretta-caretta), a sea wreck and an ancient theater by the sea. The major city of the western part of the island is Paphos where you can find the “Tombs of Kings”, a well preserved necropolis where they used to bury the aristocrats of the area back in 4 century BC. You may also want to visit St Paul’s Pillar in Paphos where in the year 45 AD the local Roman ruler tight St. Paul and whipped him 40 times.
I would also highly recommend a trip to the Troodos Mountains where you can find several beautiful Greek Orthodox Monasteries dating back from the early years of Christianity to the Byzantium era. Just to name few: Panayia Trooditissa, Kykkos, Ayios Panteleimon etc. You can relax, observe the beautiful iconography and listen to the monks’ chanting.
The temperature between sea level and the Troodos mountains may be as much as 20 C (around 36 F) degrees cooler.
What hotels and restaurants do you recommend?
There are not many hotel chains but the “Hilton Nicosia” and the “Hilton Park” are among the two best hotels in the capital. There are also several hotels and all-inclusive resorts in the coastal areas ranging from five-star (The Grecian – Ayia Napa Area, La Meridien in Limassol and Elia Village in Latsi – Paphos) to more modest depending on your budget. Pricing is always dependent on the season with the months of June-August being the busiest. In terms of restaurants, you should visit one of the local “tavernas” where you can sample local traditional food.
How would you describe the perfect Cypriot meal?
A perfect meal should include all local delicacies and there is no better way of doing that than ordering the traditional “Meze” plate. These are numerous dishes that keep coming to your table that contain samples of everything from local wine-sausage (loukaniko) to the traditional Cyprus Cheese (Halloumi: The Cheese you can Grill), to stifado and souvla… It is very similar to the Spanish tradition of Tapas except there is tons more of food.
You can have meat, fish or a combination “meze”. To wash everything down you can order the island’s local beer (KEO) or you can taste some of the islands most renounced wines (several world-wide awards). I would recommend the white “Arsinoi 62”
Describe the vibe of the culture?
Cyprus culture is pretty laid back. People are truly happy even though they suffered a lot over the years (400 years of Turkish occupation, 70 years of British ruling, Turkish invasion in 1974, and recent financial crisis). They are friendly and welcoming to strangers. It is not unusual for people to invite you in their homes and offer you coffee or deserts, especially if you are visiting remote villages up in the Troodos Mountains.
Describe the physical terrain.
The terrain varies a lot. The southern coastal areas are mainly flat while the western part of the island is more mountainous. The tallest mountain peak is Olympus at 6000ft+. The northern part of the island (now under Turkish occupation since 1974) has the second tallest mountain “Pentadaktulos”. Pentadaktulos actually means “five fingers”. As the legend has it, one of the islands Byzantine heroDigenis Akritas’ hand gripped the mountain to get out of the sea when he came to free Cyprus from its Saracen invaders, and this is his handprint. (Interviewer’s side note here is that there is a similar mythological story found in my blog posts Gibraltar and Morocco.)
Describe a custom that you observed there. Did you incorporate any of their customs back home?
It is customary in Cyprus when an elder person enters the room for everyone to stand up out of respect. Yes, I try to do this here in the U.S.
Were there any challenges in getting to your destination? What was the flight like?
No particular challenges. You typically need 3 flights to reach Cyprus from the US, one is domestic, the other is transatlantic but usually 7-8 hours and the last one is around 3-5 hour from a major European City. It would be ideal if you can check in your bags to your final destination.
What did you learn about yourself from this trip?
That I still love this place and still call it home.
How did this trip enrich your life? Describe any experiences that made you grow spiritually.
Spending few days in a Greek Orthodox Monastery is an experience that made me grow spiritually. Away from any distractions and from our fast pace of life here in the western world, a Greek Monastery provides you the opportunity to recollect yourself, meditate, set your priorities straight and emerge as a new human being.
Italian food is one of my top 2 favorite cuisines to eat and cook. I am obsessed with Italian food and my favorite chef on TV is from Italy. The Italian food we had in Italy was slightly different than back home in the states. It wasn’t as rich for one thing. In Venice, my husband ordered pasta in squid ink. It was delicious and his smile afterwards was hilarious because his teeth were stained in the ink!
The salads in Italy were amazing—fresh, light and not drenched in dressing. Tomato “sauce” in Italy consisted of diced tomatoes lightly blanched or sautéed but not pureed like in the states. The arugala is spicy and the parmesan flakes on top are the right amount. Ground pepper and ooohlalaaaa—delicioso! I had my first local ensalada Italiano in Milan facing the fabulous shopping boutiques in the famous square.
The bruschetta is divine. A drizzle of olive oil, minced garlic, fresh tomatoes, good quality cheese—-yum. I can taste it now.
The Moroccan market we went to in Tangier was exciting! We entered a place that combined Mediterranean, Arabic, Berber and Andalusian flavors. A short ferry ride away from Spain, Morocco was an instant exotic world of its own unique styles, customs, cuisines and history. The Moroccan market was special because of the vivid colors, smells and activity.
We learned about a herbal tea mixtures, their own versions of “Moroccan oil”, and marveled at the spice market.
dates
The hustle bustle of the market was enthralling to be a part of as well as observing the crowds.The meal we had at Popeye’s Mediterranean Ristorante Popular was incredible and it was the first time we had eaten Moroccan food so I was excited to contemplate making Moroccan food once I was back home. Learning about Moroccan spices was brand new information for me. Ras el hanout is a mixture of spices used in many tagine recipes.
spices at a Moroccan market
Spice markets and farmers markets are some of my favorite places and activities. I think back to the time I was a child and went with my grandfather or dad to the Mecca Coffee shop in my hometown. When we walked in, we were immediately hit with the smell of coffee beans. It was strong, pleasant, pungent and powerful. I feel the same way about spice markets–you walk into a display of amazing products! The Moroccan market had nuts, fruits and vegetables, etc.
Besides the market, there is also the Cave of Hercules, riding camels, shopping at the bazaar, touring the city, seeing the outside of the palace and so much more.
Morocco is full of culture, history and fascinating geographical features. Here is a video showing the preparation of getting ready to sell at the market. The villagers, Berbers, etc…come down from the Rif mountains with their produce. The market we went to was in the port town of Tangier within walls, paths and buildings.
Click on link below to read about tagines and see a spice mixture recipe for Ras-el-hanout.
A friend of mine, a 1st generation Turkish American, recently took a trip to Turkey to show her 12 year old daughter their ancestral homeland. Her daughter was curious about her heritage and her grandfather wanted to treat her to this opportunity. I interviewed this Turkish beauty about her very meaningful summer trip.
Why did you visit Turkey this summer and had you ever been before?
I have been to Cyprus and Turkey before. My dad lives in Turkey half the year. He has a summer home in Cesme which is a seasonal place for Turkish people.
It’s in the Aegean Sea. My daughter is 12 years old and we wanted her to see the place of her heritage. 12 years old is a good age for this because I think if she had gone any earlier, she wouldn’t be able to appreciate it.
What were your itinerary highlights? What do you recommend that people do and see in Turkey?
Topkapi Palace was wonderful. Istanbul had the grand bazaar which had approximately 4,000 stores. Purses, gold, silver, home decor, clothes, etc……There were back stores that they took us, too. It was interesting to see how they spoke to us once they knew we were Turkish. They suddenly offered us discounts.
If you could describe the perfect Turkish meal, what would it be?
Doner kebab which is the Turkish “gyro”. The fish is prepared differently there and it was very good. They always serve Turkish coffee after every meal and they also serve Raki (a Turkish alcoholic drink).
Are there any Turkish customs you learned on your trip that you’ve incorporated in your routine back home?
The breakfast every day consisted of bread, cheese, tomatoes, olives and a hard boiled egg and I’ve found myself eating more cheese now.
What was the flight like to Turkey?
It was 12-14 hours I think. We flew to Houston, Istanbul, Izmir and then took a car to Cesme.
Any hotel recommendations?
Conrad Hotel in Istanbul had great security! They even checked under the car! The Four Seasons by the Blue Mosque has a rooftop view that is beautiful!
How did this trip enrich your life?
The hospitality was impressive. I was very proud of the palaces and mosques there. We don’t have the roots here where I live and many of my ancestors are no longer alive so it was important for me to show my daughter how amazing her culture is.
Her perspective about life in general is very interesting to me because she is resilient and family-oriented as well as innovative in her pursuits. She shared with me her trip experience and how she put her own Italian-American spin on things in Finland.
Vaasa is on the East coast. Our favorite was Kotka because Lapua was a rural and small hometown. Kotak was bigger and urban. Typically, I don’t think a tourist would go to Lapua but we went because of the basketball connection.
What excursions or museums do you recommend?
There was no fast food but several pizzarias. 
We went to grocery stores and cooked every night for our friend. Lapua used to be the largest ammunition plant in Finland. It had an explosion that killed 60 people. Now, it’s a museum; not a plant anymore. It’s been moved outside of the city.
Describe the vibe of the culture.
Next—is 7 Deadly Zins. It is also made by the Michael David Winery, like Earthquake. It is less expensive. Very good! 
