I started this week in wonderful warm Istanbul. The first day of the year was sunny and we had about 15 °C. In the morning I went to my favorite hamam, the Kiliç Ali Paşa Hamam, and let them scrub away all the old skin from last year. It is the most relaxing hamam I know – it is forbidden to take photos or videos; you need to make an appointment in advance; it therefore is never too crowded; the service is incredibly good; and it is always really quiet. I don’t know any better way to start the new year.
On Wednesday I returned to Boston and a huge weather change. First, there was a blizzard, then the freezing cold came. This weekend we mostly had temperatures between -20 and -25 °C. Even though the sun was shining, it was awful to walk outside. That means I had a temperature difference of about 40 °C between the beginning and the end of this week. I wish there were any hamams or saunas in Boston. But it doesn’t seem to be something New Englanders enjoy. Maybe it is more of a European thing? I could definitely do with a bit of heat. The worst thing right now is that my car didn’t start on Friday. So until it does (I hope that only the battery is cold and empty), I have to walk outside through the cold to the bus stop. At least it is supposed to get a lot warmer over the next couple of days – we expect up to 10 °C, which sounds like spring to my frozen ears.
How has this winter been in your part of the world so far?
|Watched| Grey Lady, Inferno, Paris can wait, Hotel Lux
|Read| Wicked, Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are?, The art of not giving a fuck
|Listened to| Teoman, TNK, Manga
|Done| went to a hamam in Istanbul, went to a dentist, flew home, enjoyed a snow day, worked for one day
|Eaten| filled grape leaves, chocolate baklava, köfte – and many more delicious Turkish foods
|Drunk| water, coffee, tea, salep
|Thought| I need to embrace change more.
|Been happy| when I was in Istanbul and also when I returned home
|Laughed| that this week Canavar sleeps right next to my head at night
|Desired| my car to start
|Bought| some warm sweaters, cheap jewelry, presents
|Clicked| I really want to make this hedgehog cake, esp. because I still have many spiced cookies left from Christmas: “Ein zuckersüßer Start ins Jahr 2018: Kalter Hund mit Spekulatius”; Beauty Butterflies gives handy tips for taking vacation pictures: “10 Tipps für schöne und gelungene Urlaubsbilder”
© janavar