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.
Stillness of Heart 
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