following the funks

Episode035: When you take a break for the summer

Hello!

In Episode035, we talk all our upcoming summer travels. You may remember our friends, Eric and Ashley, from the sailing trip in Episode017 and yet again in our Prague/New Years travels in Episode026. Well, we will tell you all about our new summer travel schedule with them starting in June. I won’t ruin the surprise here, but listen in to see where we are travelling next with them! (Or sneak a peek at the links below…)

What can we say, we kinda like them! #coupletravellove

In other news, we announce that after a year and a half of our bi-weekly podcast, we are taking a break! Yep, between writing, traveling, language, working, and visiting families, we decided it was a good and natural time to rest for a bit.

You will hear from us periodically this summer via email, but our mics will be turned off! This would be a great time to dip back into the archives and listen in to any episodes you may have missed! We would LOVE to hear which ones are your favorites.

We also are talking about some changes. Should we continue the podcast as is? Should we find another couple to podcast with? Should we instead think about doing a short weekly vlog??? Let us know your thoughts on how we can improve sharing our expat lives with you!

Enjoy and have a great summer!

Mentioned links:

Romania – meeting up with our friends from Episode005

• Bucharest
• Brasvo
• Dracula’s Castle

Thailand

• Bangkok
• Koh Samui

Myanmar

• Mandalay
• Inle Lake
• Bagan City

Cambodia

• Siem Reap

Malaysia

• Kuala Lumpur

Singapore, Singapore

Most excited about…

• Samui Boat Lagoon

Questions for the listeners:

• What plans do you have this summer?
• What suggestions do you have for our travels?
• Going to be in Louisiana the end of July or Iowa in August? We would love to see you! Just reply to this email!

Recent Blog Post:

TURKEY: Alaçatı, beauty through a crowded view
WRITING: Summer Activities in Iowa
WRITING: 5 ways to document your expat adventures
CULTURE: Our first Turkish wedding part 1 ‘Kına Gecesi’ or Henna Night
WRITING: Arabian Nights in Dubai

As always, email us your questions and we will answer them in future episode!

If you are just now joining in:

We encourage you to go back into the archives and listen back to our first episode.  And we encourage you to go back and listen to Episode 9 to help get you up to speed on our big move!

You can also join in on the adventure via Facebook means you will get the first scoop and discussion on new podcasts!

AND…

We are on iTunes!

POP OVER TO LEAVE US A REVIEW ON ITUNES. This helps others find our podcast!

Episode034: When you dance the night away

Hello!  Jason and I enjoyed a weekend with new friends out at the town of old Foça. We talk a little bit about it in the episode, but our main topic is all about Turkish weddings. Last weekend started the wedding festivities with some of our friends, Kaan and Melis, with their Kına Gecesi, or Henna Night. Then Thursday was the full day of wedding activities including the ‘Fetching of the Bride’, signing of the marriage documents, and the wedding party! Spoiler* There was LOTS of dancing.

Enjoy and have a great Monday!

Mentioned links:

Foça via All About Turkey

Foça via Turkey Travel Planner

Things to do in Foça

Meze and Fish (Rakı Balık)

Turkish Wedding Culture

Questions for the listeners:

• Have you been to a Turkish wedding? What was it like?
• Have you been to a wedding of another culture before? What were some unique traditions!

Recent Blog Post:

EVENTS: Urla Aritchoke ‘Enginar’ Festival

TURKEY: Alaçatı, beauty through a crowded view

WRITING: Summer Activities in Iowa

As always, email us your questions and we will answer them in future episode!

If you are just now joining in:

We encourage you to go back into the archives and listen back to our first episode.  And we encourage you to go back and listen to Episode 9 to help get you up to speed on our big move!

You can also join in on the adventure via Facebook means you will get the first scoop and discussion on new podcasts!

AND…

We are on iTunes!

POP OVER TO LEAVE US A REVIEW ON ITUNES. This helps others find our podcast!

Episode033: When you love Turkish food a little too much

Hello! One of our favorite parts about Turkey is the food! So in episode033, we discuss each of our top 10 list of foods we love in Turkey! We were surprised to see what each other did or did not have on their list! Also, at the beginning of this episode we talk about the local Urla Artichoke Festival and visiting another little town called Alaçatı.

Enjoy and have a great Monday!

Mentioned links:

Urla Artichoke/Enginar Festival 

Alaçatı Mosque

Our Food Lists:

Chocolate Baklava (Catie’s #10)

Lentil Soup (Jason’s #10)

Beyti Kebap (Catie’s #9)

Gozleme (Jason’s #9)

Lahmacun (Jason’s #8)

Düğün (Wedding) Soup (Catie’s #7)

Adana Kebap (Jason’s #7)

Meze and Fish (Rakı Balık) (Catie’s #6)

Izgara Kofte (Jason’s #5)

Stuffed dried eggplant (Catie’s #5)

Mantı (Jason’s #4, Catie’s #4)

Doner Ekmek (Jason’s #3)

Kahvalti – Turkish Breakfast and Sigara Boreği (Jason’s #6, Catie’s #3)

Ali Nazık (Jason’s #2, Catie’s #3)

Kunefe (Catie’s #1)

Iskender (Jason’s #1)

Questions for the listeners:

• What Turkish food to you love?
• What food sounded good to you?
• Would you try any of the food we talked about in this episode? If so, which one?

Recent Blog Post:

EVENTS: INFLOW Travel Summit 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey

WRITING: 5 Tips For Overcoming Culture Shock

HOLIDAY: Cinco de Mayo and Hıdırellez?

As always, email us your questions and we will answer them in future episode!

If you are just now joining in:

We encourage you to go back into the archives and listen back to our first episode.  And we encourage you to go back and listen to Episode 9 to help get you up to speed on our big move!

You can also join in on the adventure via Facebook means you will get the first scoop and discussion on new podcasts!

AND…

We are on iTunes!

POP OVER TO LEAVE US A REVIEW ON ITUNES. This helps others find our podcast!

Episode032: When famous people sing Happy Birthday to you

Welcome back! This is part 2 of our Q&A! We answer some MORE of your questions! Again, thanks to all of those who contributed to our Q&A episode. We will continue to answer 1 or 2 questions throughout future episodes. So, please continue to send us your questions!

Also, at the beginning of this episode we talk about how Catie spent her birthday. Jason gifted a conference to her as her birthday gift. On Monday, we both headed up to Istanbul for the INFLOW Travel Summit and headed back to Izmir on Thursday! We completely forgot to chat about Easter, so be on the lookout for that next episode!

Enjoy the Q&A time!
Highlighted questions in this episode:

On another episode, you described your Starbucks mug collection. Do you get a drink while there (or just buy the mug) and if so, what is your “go-to” Starbucks drink?

What is your favorite InstaPot recipe?

How long do it take to get mail from states?

What do you miss most about living in the States?

What is the biggest Turkish holiday and how is it celebrated?

What is the structure of school in Turkey? Typical Turkish elementary school day: what does that look like? How many hours do students go to school? Are there state run and privately run schools? To add to that: at what age do students graduate? Is everyone on the same “track” or are there differences in university or vocational tracks?

How is living in Turkey knowing you’ve given yourself at least a three-year timeframe different than living there for a shorter period before? Like having a longer-term mindset as opposed to a shorter-term mindset.

Are your TV shows in Turkish?

Mentioned links:
INFLOW Travel Summit 

Swiss Otel – The Bosphorus

Few of the fun online influencers I met:
Speakers and Influencers

– Jennifer Tuffen / Izkiz
   

– Anton&Rache Diaz / Our Awesome Planet
    

– Kach & Jonathan Howe / Two Monkeys Travel Group
    

– Alex Chacon / The Modern Motorcyle Diaries
    

– Duygu Şar & Bilgehan Çelik / Biz Evde Yokuz
    

– Harjinder Singh Kukreja / HarjinderSinghKukreja
   

InstaPot

InstaPot Red Beans Recipe

Education in Turkey

Ramadan

Questions for the listeners:

• Any questions we need to clarify from our Q&A?
• What other questions do you have about our expat life?
• What was your week like?

Recent Blog Post:

First Annual Izmir Chocolate Festival

April 23 Children’s Day “Çocuk Bayramı”

As always, email us your questions and we will answer them in future episode!

If you are just now joining in:

We encourage you to go back into the archives and listen back to our first episode.  And we encourage you to go back and listen to Episode 9 to help get you up to speed on our big move!

You can also join in on the adventure via Facebook means you will get the first scoop and discussion on new podcasts!

AND…

We are on iTunes!

POP OVER TO LEAVE US A REVIEW ON ITUNES. This helps others find our podcast!