As I write throughout the mornings and afternoons, I still find myself pausing in mid-sentence without realizing it, daydreaming of dark Mediterranean waves, sun-kissed Roman ruins covered in red poppies, and the cool Bosphorus breezes cruelly reminding me that I was merely a visitor.
My body came home from my wonderful vacation to Istanbul and southern Turkey, but only part of my mind and imagination accompanied it. As I write throughout the mornings and afternoons, I still find myself pausing in mid-sentence without realizing it, daydreaming of dark Mediterranean waves, sun-kissed Roman ruins covered in red poppies, and the cool Bosphorus breezes cruelly reminding me that I was merely a visitor.
Here are my tweets from throughout the trip (follow me here):
May 13
Caddebostan, Istanbul, 4:45 a.m.: Incredibly chatty seagulls, a car alarm and the call to prayer. Good morning.
May 14
I’m the only one awake, sitting in the dark, watching the moon soar over Istanbul. In a few hours, I’ll be in Antalya, on the Med Sea.
May 15
Toured Greek/Roman/Byzantine ruins at Perge. Still tingling with excitement. Now at Belek resort. Long Island Iced Tea or mojito? Both.
May 16
Few things better than breakfast with a beautiful woman, sunshine, a cool seabreeze, all overlooking a gorgeous blue sea.
May 16
I’m on fire. In a good way.
May 16
Soft sunrise over the Taurus Mountains.
May 18
Tucked away in a tiny resort in near Olympos. Rose bushes, orange trees heavy with ripe fruit, mountains towering over a stellar beach.
May 19
Day began on a gorgeous pebble beach and crystal clear water. It ends in Caddebostan, under fireworks and Turkish flags celebrating Ataturk.
May 20
Why can’t I stop time? Still have sailing tour, Bosphorus cruise, a visit to refurbished Hagia Sophia, so much more. Four days will fly by.
May 20
Ending another long, wondrous day in Istanbul. Bedtime reading: Sherman’s Civil War memoirs. Hey, it doesn’t always have to be Turkey 24/7.
May 21
Deep dark waters, beautiful eyes, a burning sun, crashing waves, legacies lost, a freefall through time, a long soft kiss. More. More. More.
May 22
Unbelievable cheers in Caddebostan after Fenerbahce’s 4-3 win for the league title. Flares, car horns, fireworks. Turks know how to PARTY.
May 23
Final full day in Nova Roma. First, a tour of the city’s secret past with an eminent historian and diplomat, then a grand farewell dinner.
May 24
Rest easier, America. F has returned.
May 25
Mini-NYC shopping spree begins now. First stop: Dean & Deluca.
May 26
Began the beautiful morning with Henry Wager Halleck at Greenwood Cemetery. Now headed home to Texas to begin another long, sweet summer.
May 26
Home at last.
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stillness of heart 
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