Kapadokya- Day 1

Day 1!

It deserves its own post! WoW!! 

Ok, so I arrived to Kapadokya at 10am after a 12hrs bus ride with wifi, ice cream, coffee, and snacks!

I'm doing this part of the trip with Rosa (a friend I met in the hostel in Istanbul).

After check-in in my hostel I met with Rosa for breakfast. We finished by 11ish and figure it was about time to do something. There are 3 official tours here: red,blue, and green. 

The red is close to where we are staying, so we figure instead of paying the money for the tour we will walk around. While waiting for rosa to grab some stuff at her hostel I heard some girls talking about renting bikes (and to be quite honest I rather bike than walk).

We asked Apo (owner of my hostel) and he wanted $45 for the day! We said no and left to town. We found a cute little shop and got 2 bikes for $20for 4hrs and after talking he gave us 25$ for 7hrs.

Thinking we got a deal we left as happy campers to Explore some ruins and caves, bikes, and have fun.

The caves are great! Lots of places to

Climb, things to see, the views are breathtaking, we had so much fun biking. We did some mountain biking and some road biking. We trusted strangers that they won't steal our bikes. I mean we locked them but to each other not to a pole. There are no poles in this place of the world! 

After 4 hrs of biking we decided it was enough. By the time we were returning the bikes we had bike 15km. Our tushies hurted, the bar handle was way to far, the way back was all uphill. 

We get to the store and walk in ready to ask for money back! Of course I did! I mentioned it and Adem (owner of bike shop, see picture below) said no, laughed and invited us to sit and chat for a bit.

He mentioned that only for us he would take us in a free ATV (all terrain vehicle, see pic below) ride! Hell ya we said yes! He was doing this ride to take pics to use for his flyer! Even more! 

We left to grab some stuff at our hostels and when we got back at 4:30pm we met the other 4 girls who were doing this!  Picture 4 turkey girls, very very white, they were special! Jajaja don't know what's the proper description, see pic below and judge for yourself!

We had a blast riding the ATV and taking pictures! Half way into the ride Adem invite us for a drink: coffee, fresh squezerze orange juices and ea. one of the girls graves my selfie stick and stared taking pics.

Adem and I start joking and told her that I bought it for $50 but will sell it for $40! The woman gave me the moneyyyyy!! True is that I paid $15! Jajaja I took the money and was going to buy 2 sticks with that money: one for me and one for Rosa.

We kept riding the ATV for another 1.5 hrs and we reached this beautiful place were we started taking pictures and etc.  at all times Adem and a friend were on a jeep leading the way. I did not realize that they were not here until rosa comes to me and tells me that we are having a bbq here! Jajaja Adem and friend went to buyChorizo, bread and sodas. Chill! We just spent some time grilling in the middle of nowhere.

As the fire gets started David an Asian looking guy who is from America shows up riding an ATV. He tells us that he got lost from his group and we convinced him to stay with us! He thought that we were a group and when we told him out story he was so shocked and stayed with us!

Now back in the hostel trying to process the day and honesty there are NO WORDS to describe how much fun, random, different, and beautiful today was!

THANK TOU ADEM!!! Thank you for seeing fun in U.S.! For inviting us in your journey, for taking care of us, and for showing how beautiful Kapodkya and its people are! THANK YOU!

Istanbul

Istanbul

The flight to Istanbul is one to be remember! 

To begin with... I got striped down, sent to extra security for me and Mochi in Tel Aviv because security lady did not like that I was argentinean living in U.S. She couldn't figure it out.

Later the guy next to me kept yawning and doing like Indian with his hand and mouth! Jajaja...ohhhh, need to say there was a CHEF on the plane! Dress as CHEF and everything!  Will try to take pic on next flight.

Once I landed in turkey things went by very smoothly! Took a taxi to hostel. Once at the stray Cat Hostel the staff was super warm and helpful. They gave me a map and showed me all the good stuff to do around here. After dropping my bag in my bed (it's like claiming that this is bed is mine and you better don't touch! Jajaja) left to the Asian side of Istanbul. Literally is on the Asian continent. How cool that one country is in two continents.

The views from there were outstanding! Breathless and with a magnificent sunset! 

That night I just took it easy and hang out at the hostel.

Day 2. 

Woke up bright and early and left the hostel at 9am to start seeing the city. Up the hill I went! It reminded me of my days in San Francisco and how out of shape I am. From there down hill on a beautiful kind of Lincoln rd. 

Cross the bridge from modern town to old town.  Got lost in the spice market, it's just like a shuk! In my modest opinion the shuk has more beauty it still looks old! From there to the grand bazaar where I did some shopping, bargain some prices, and left happy with just why I wanted to buy.

Visited the Blue Mosque, Haga Sofya,  Cistern, walked in Sultanamed, are a traditional Turkish lunch at a local spot that Eda suggested. What a funny and unique experience. Was told to sit at a table with 3 ladies that were having lunch. I introduced my self, chat a bit, and even shared my dessert! Jaja.

Once back to the hostel met 2 girls: Oona and Rosa. We took a boat around the Istanbul coast and to see the sunset.

I need to confess that I fell in the trap: I bought the selfie stick! Omg! It makes taking picture on my won soooooo much better! I'm so happy!

We went for dinner together and then beers to a bar they been the day before.

The manager, Husseim, is from Kazakistan. We started talking about its history and he mentioned that he loves Israel and U.S. Because they are the only two countries that supported them in the fight to become a country. He knows so much about israel! I was surprise!

Day 3

Woke up and took the morning easy! In the afternoon we walked around Cahingir with Rosa. Cahingir is a nice hipster town full of antique shops and cute cafes.

Tonight I am taking a 12 hrs bus to Capadoccia! :) Rosa from Belgium is also traveling! 

Part 3.1- Turkey

Sitting in the train seeing facing tel aviv. 

Tel aviv stays behind, the safety that it gives me, the comfort of the language, the smell of the food, the people that make it as warm as the temperature is. 

Getting away from Tel Aviv, closer to Istanbul! Here I am. Nervous as hell (ma don't panick!! I'm ok) I am happy that I am on this journey! 

I am thrilled to meet you Turkey! Let the fun, new, challenging experiences come. The trip journey of a lifetime. Alone! 

Wise words from an incredible wise woman (Erica, whom I admire for her traveling, knowledge, charisma, and attitude towards life): "when you travel alone you are never alone, you are always meeting people. The truly only moment you are alone is when you get tire of those people and move on to new places".

✌🏻️✈️

Part 2- staying at the Groisman Residence

18 years of friendship and counting... 2001 set us in two different continents, 1 time zone. 2002 found us in 2 continents, 2 time zones, and 6 hours of difference.

Friendships are hard to keep, the day to day is not there anymore. Phone calls become expensive, camera viewing hard to arrange. The development of social media, mobile phones, and applications that make calling and taking way easier had definitely contribute to it; but more than anything my frequent visits to israel and their (now has a beautiful family) welcoming hospitality even more.

Uriel as a father, Jajaja. No way! I would have never pictured it! We grow, we become wiser, smarter, sweeter, and family oriented.

Uri as a father is sweet! Became a clown! Has more energy than I have never imagined before! 

How beautiful is to see close friends building their families, falling in love with their kids, treating them as new nieces and nephews. Sofi is amazing! She is fun, and entertaining! She grew so much! I can't wait to share the summer with her! 

Part 1- Taglit

After doing certain thing a certain way it is hard to think that they would be different. This trip, this bus, bus 70, the staff, the tour guide, the security, the participants have been beyond amazing!! I am speechless!

There is so much that could go wrong! There so many things that can affect the trip but none of this has happened! The staff was outstanding! The participants interested in learning, wanted to do things, wanted to grow, To get  involved, wanted to make friends and make sure that everyone has a friend! They were committed to make everyone feel welcome and part of the group!!

They were certain that no stereotype was strong enough to be defeated and make everyone part of the family! 

This trip was Madricha Heaven! Any Peula this kids participated! We spent countless hours playing games: ninja, mafia, relay races, water gun war, climbing playgrounds, and more. They asked questions when wanted to learn more. They challenge our fix message and ask those tough questions.

We talked about philosophy, g'd, Judaism, Israel, the conflict, politics, relationships, our past, our future and the present.

This group helped me understand, or better said reconfirmed why I do what I do and how much more is there to be learn.

Each of the relationships built created an impact. Half way into the trip we added 8 amazing chayalim (soldiers) to our family. We laughed, we cried, we learned, we party, and we grew together. This kind of mifgashim helps participants understand the reality of what Israelies go thru. They are peers, they are the same age, yet they live such different lives.

At the closing activity for the soldiers, my body had gusbumps, the words said in both side of the group were as strong, meaningful, and powerful as the other. 

The trip was fun! We laughed non stop! I thank each of the participants for jumping on board on the pranks, for making the water gun not annoying but a key object of our history! For helping each other when a wise word was needed. For been open minded, for opening your heart to the feelings we had expose you to. For letting your mind, values, and ideologies been challenge.

You guys are so unique! I am thankful to be your madricha! I am thankful of the moment we have shared together and how close we became!

THANK YOU!

Poland- part 1

77 years ago my great grandparents left their everything for a new life. 14 Years ago my family, my immediate family embarked on a journey. 12 years ago I embarked on a personal journey.

Today, I reminded myself

About the journeys I started 14 & 12years ago. 

Check how one goes from happiness to sadness. On one side of the world is all happiness, the circle has been completed. Dad became an American! Could not been more happy! All the hard work, al the efforts had paid off.

If my great grandparents would not have decided to leave just in time today we would not be here, would

Not be able to celebrate.

On the other side of the world, here I am, sitting in the middle of Treblinkax. There is over 200 people here and you do not hear a single soul. You hear the wind blowing, the trees moving, some birds cheeping, but there is not a single sounds. The sun makes his way out in within the clouds showing that there is a light, that there is always something to look forward too, that in every bad moment, there is a ray of light.

Today I been remind of who you are and where we come from.

12 years ago I participated in the Taglit-Birthright Israel trip and March of The Living to Poland and Israel. I went to the camps, I witnessed the horrific nightmares that the nazis made OUR family, OUR people feel. I had promised my self to come back, to be able to share, to talk, to feel, to empower others.

Today I am back, I am here, I am in Treblinka a place I had never felt, a place I had wished no one would ever have to feel.

Today, I am back.

As bad or unimaginable as it could be just picture 16,000 Jews in Auschwitz to say never again, to say WE are here and WE are standing strong.

Friends+ asado+ Alfajores= fun times

Alfajor de maizena y cubanitos

Nothing is more Argentinean that an Alfajor and an Asado. When combining the two becomes the perfect setting to share with friends and have a good time and eat great food.

Spent an entire afternoon reading Nucha and Doña Petrona cooking books. Combine and tweak both recipes and came out with this soft, savory and yummy alfajor. 

Ingredients:

• 140 grams Butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 40 grams of All purpose flour
• 80 gr of Sugar
• 1 tbsp of water
• Orange zest
• 300 gr of Corn Starch
• 150 gr of chocolate

Instructions:

1. Combine butter, orange zest, corn starch, sugar, and flour in food processor until dough is form.
2. Add the egg yolks and water. 
3. Mix until dough is form
4. Place dough in refrigerator for an hour
5. Using a rolling pin stretch the dough.
6. Using a round cookie cutter of no more of 6 cm of diameter make cookies
7. Place a parchment sheet on the tray
8. Cook for 10 minutes at 335 F
9.  Let cool down for 30 minutes
10.  Using a pastry bag, place dulce De Leche and put it on the cookie.
11.  For the conitos: Melt chocolate in 30 secs intervals in the mirowave. Dip cookie with dulce de leche and then let cool down.