Only an hour south of Izmir lies one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Temple of Artemis. As with anything wondrous, it is easy to miss this temple, especially if you are expecting to see something. A … Continue reading
Happiness can take many forms. Sometimes it bursts through your skin and makes its presence known everywhere it goes. Sometimes it’s quiet, unassuming, modest almost. And then there are those times when it is wretched. So wretched that it is … Continue reading
Four hours southeast from Izmir lies a small Turkish town of Pamukkale. Highway D-320 that leads there could put the mighty autobahn to shame – so smooth and fast are its winding speedways. Closer to town though, the highway gives … Continue reading
If traveling is a crime, then I deserve a life sentence In Search of Perfect is turning one year old this month, and in this year five new country pins were added to the map that’s hanging on my bedroom … Continue reading
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” James Michener The way people treat their visitors can be a telling sign for a country’s cultural fabric. In … Continue reading
“Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.” – John Maeda As I am planning my impending yet illusory escape from the corporate world, I cannot help but realize that I am not alone in my search for … Continue reading
Only an hour south of Izmir lies one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Temple of Artemis. As with anything wondrous, it is easy to miss this temple, especially if you are expecting to see something. A … Continue reading
Ask anyone in Izmir how they feel about Istanbul, and they will be quick to tell you: “Istanbul is… eh. Izmir is… ooooh!”, accompanying their passionate statement with a characteristic hand gesture Turkish to its core. This uplifting gesture is … Continue reading
After a brief encounter with Istanbul, we set out on our trek across the Turkish countryside. Hopping on a ferry in Yenikapi, a convenient five minute ride from the heart of the city, we sail across the dark waters of … Continue reading
When we landed in Turkey on a crisp December afternoon, nothing prepared us for the magic that is Istanbul. No tour guide warned us that we will be smitten with its cobblestone streets, charmed by the grandeur of its mosques … Continue reading
2012 has been a difficult year and I will be happy to see it go. However, despite all the ups and downs, I am grateful to it for all the perfect moments it delivered. Thank you to all my readers … Continue reading
My next adventure is hours away, and the call is getting louder. Travel is calling my name with the thrill of the journey and the quest for the unknown. To set my foot where I have not been before, to … Continue reading
My grandmother called her sister today, and while she spoke on the phone, I realized that I could not understand a word she was saying. Strange, considering my grandmother and I are both Russian. We use Russian language at home, … Continue reading
With a slight nod to phenomenon from another world, I invite you to explore the brilliant shades of blue Hawaiian waters. Oahu, Hawai’i is a beautiful place. It is the third largest island of the archipelago (after the Big Island … Continue reading
In a complete and utter lack of inspiration and imagination, I turn to you, my dear readers, for crowdsourcing creativity. I have been mulling over this idea lately that my blog should be more helpful and inspiring to others. I … Continue reading