Author: John Collings

The Blue Mosque – Istanbul, Turkey

When visiting Europe, many tourists go to the cathedrals, and marvel at their beauty. When in Southeast Asia, they folk to the watts to check out what they have to offer. So it only makes sense that when you are in the Middle East region, you will head off to the mosques and see how they represent the spiritual guidance of the people in this region of the world. Over the last couple of years, I have visited a few of the more important mosques that the world has to offer, but it wasn’t until I traveled to Turkey that I got to see one of the oldest mosques, the Blue Mosque.

The Blue Mosque had finished its construction in the early years of the seventeenth century, and ever since, it has been an imposing figure over the city of Istanbul. It sits in the old part of the European side of the city, and it is easy to find, not only because of its blue dome, but also the six minarets that surround its grounds. The mosque itself is an important piece of architecture because it was the first time ever that a dome was successfully attached to a square building. Despite this feat, it is still a great place to visit for many other reasons.

From the inside, the building becomes even more impressive. The Blue Mosque’s dome looks even more intricate from this perspective. The artwork that adorns the ceiling is original and has had been protected ever since the mosque was built. The designs come from over 21,000 tiles that were places there even though it is hard to distinguish one of the tiles from another. Still, it has created one of the most intricate pieces of art that I have ever witnessed, and much time could be spent looking at the patterns that are created above.

The Blue Mosque is not as big as some of the more elaborate mosques that can be found in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, but that does not stop tourists from coming to see this sight for themselves. It does not hold a chandelier that has a spiral staircase inside of it so it can be cleaned, or a carpet that was hand-sown and covers every corner of the floor, but you can feel the same sense of reverence when you enter. The biggest difference I felt came from the focus of each mosque. Some of the mosques I have visited seemed more interested in make monetary gain from the people who showed up to look at the place; whereas, the focus of the Blue Mosque seemed to be geared towards spreading the knowledge of Islam to the people who visited. There is a corner inside of the mosque dedicated to pushing this passion on to other people, and it makes it feel more authentic when you arrive.

If you are in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque is a must see, especially considering there is no entrance fee to go and see its beauty, and feel its history. Just know that like many other holy sites, there are some dress codes that you must abide by. Conservative dress is suggested with women being asked to cover their hair when they enter, and men cannot wear shorts or hats. It is nothing that is too uncomfortable, and it is a small price to pay to see this place. Also know that, the Blue Mosque is not opened to visitors during the hour around the call to prayer. It gets packed as soon as it opens up again, so it helps to hold off for a bit to enter, if you find yourself here during that time. Still, there was not enough people in the place to make it too uncomfortable. All in all, it is a great place to visit while in Istanbul.

So until next time, get out there and see what the world has to offer.

Monuments

Hail to the downfall of the tyranny
That comes with the passing of the scepter.
Power held in the name of finery
Allow the surface to be the deeper,
And we spend our time praising aesthetics,
Thinking the view will make us important,
But now we can uncover the ethics
That was left to die under the pavement
Of the monument of men gone away.
They still hope that they will honor their name
Though what they left us, we can’t really say
Except for remembrance of their fame.
Their passing makes the legacy sour,
For they did not know how to wield power.

Commandaria

Fighting against the sun to work the field
Is how I spent each of my summer days,
To be rewarded with a harvest yield,
Filled with the nectar the gods use to pay.
I will collect the fruit off of the vine
To have them bake under the autumn heat.
In a fortnight, we can squeeze out the rind
By stomping them with the soles of our feet.
We’ll put the juice into an oak barrel
Which will be hidden in a cool, dry place
For four years. We will protect it from peril,
So we can ensure its elegant grace.
Do not seek out another finer wine
Than the one with Commandaria shine.

A Small Hop Can Take You a World Away

Some times life can get really busy, and it is hard to find time for yourself. It feels as if people are pulling you fifteen different directions, and you have to navigate all of these requests at once or fall further behind. During these hectic times of the year, there is some times a small reprieve that is given to you, and you want to make the most out of that time. It helps to get away for a bit and see a different perspective, but it is not always easy to get that perspective with the time that is given to you. A whole change of environment and culture is not just right around the corner, but if you can squeeze in that change of scenery, I would highly recommend it because it will do you a lot of good.

I am lucky to have this as an option in my life at this time. Right now, I am living in Amman, Jordan, and though I love the country, and people a lot, I do need that escape from time to time so I can get a new perspective on the place I am living. The best opportunity to get this dramatic change for me is to hop on a short flight and land on the island of Cyprus where I exchange an Arab culture for a European one. Within a short time I can look at green fields instead of desert landscapes; I can drink good wine instead of mint tea; I can eat Greek inspired cuisine instead of Lebanese.

It is not just these small things that allow me the escape that I am looking for by taking that small flight. It is also a completely different culture with a completely different vibe. Now, I love the people of Jordan. They are friendly and have a great pride in their culture, but as somebody that comes from a different part of the world, I still feel a little like an outsider. Though traveling a short distance away, I will still feel like an outsider, but now, I am able to go around and marvel at the unique sights that have not become commonplace because I see them everyday. It becomes an exotic vacation where I am creating memories instead of making it through the week so I can enjoy the weekend.

I also get to partake in unique experiences by making this little trip. These always seem to be a part of those places that are a short distance away. In Oregon, it is the mountain lakes, and beautiful hikes that the state has to offer. Colorado has those hikes as well as some of the best skiing that the world has to offer. Cyprus has a bunch of quaint European towns to explore as well as a wine country that is fun to travel through and from time to time experience what it is like to try my hand at making some of the wine.

No matter where you live, I am sure there is some place nearby that allows you the opportunity for you to escape your daily grind. I feel lucky that this place is Cyprus for me. It is nice to escape if only for a long weekend. It makes going home a pleasurable experience again because I can get away for just long enough to make me realize how much I have when I get back.

Until next time, I hope you get to enjoy that close by escape as well.

The Life We Want

We always fight for the life that we want,
Pretending that it is within our reach,
A life where we no longer have to grunt;
Instead, flopping on a chair on a beach,
Soaking the rays of the sum while they last.
Instead, I find myself strapped to a seat,
Hoping my clock could start to go fast,
So work to be done would be complete.
Playing repeat, I go through the same grind,
Fighting to obtain another dollar
Because my current debt has got me primed
To continue my life in this collar.
It’s possible to be victorious
Thought they claim that the plan is not for us.

A Smaller Experience – Pissouri, Cyprus

Throughout all of my travels, I have been able to experience many different types of locations. I have stayed in the largest cities in the world, and have slept in some of the smallest locations as well. I have spent time on various beaches, and hiked around the greatest ranges this world has to offer. I have been to the medium sized tourist destinations, and the ones the same size that are inhabited by the locals of the country, and the travelers hardly ever see. It is the variety that keeps me traveling, but if I am being honest, it is the smaller towns that hold a sacred place in my heart, and the ones that I always wish to travel back to.

During my recent trip to Cyprus, I got to stay in such a place, Pissouri, Cyprus. Now, this is my second time to this incredible and often overlooked country, and the last time I stayed in a bigger tourist destination, Paphos. Though I enjoyed, and would recommend it to anybody for its great food, and historical sights, it does not the same kind of charm as this small town does. Pissouri has the amazing restaurants, and walking streets that you hope to find in a European country. The locals are friendly and are eager to share the various types of wines that are created on the island. And the greatest part is that you automatically feel a relaxed, easy-going pace as soon as you enter the town.

Though the town sit perched on a mountainside that leads to the wine country of Cyprus, it still only a five minute drive down to the coast. I has come at the end of September which is the end of the tourist season, and it was easy to find a place to stretch out in the sun while still being able to enjoy the warm summer water of the Mediterranean Sea. It is located next to some restaurants that are not as nice as the ones that you can find in town, but they are still a nice place to hop in to get a quick bite for lunch.

But don’t eat too much because there is always dinner around the corner. I know when I travel back to the United States, I forget about the portion sizes at restaurants. I am always excited when I get to across the pond to experience the portion sizes that are more conducive to what I can actually comfortably enjoy. This was not the case in Cyprus. The portions out there were more in tune to American eating, and it surprised me when the meal was first placed before me. Despite these large portions, they did not skimp on the recipe in favor of the size. The food was outstanding, and I don’t know if I would have had the same kind of meal if I stuck more to the typical places that tourist gravitated to instead of this smaller town.

When I look back at both of my experiences while visiting Cyprus, they were both great. I enjoyed both trips, but to compare them would not do either justice. They were both great experiences, but I believe that in the end, I will have fonder memories of staying in this small town. It seemed to me that the smaller experience was custom made for me; whereas, the times I travel to bigger cities, it feels like an experience that anybody could have at any time they travel to one of these destinations. It is just who I am though, and you might feel completely different about your travels. Either way, there is a way to experience this wonderful country, and no matter which one you do enjoy, you have to put Cyprus on your countries to visit. It is a hidden jewel that you will not regret, and worth going to before more people make the discovery.

Until next time, keep on getting out there and enjoying experience both big and small.

Revecca Winery – Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the most beautiful countries I have visited in the European Union, but it is often ignored by travelers. I can sort of understand why, especially when it comes to Americans. It takes a bit of an effort to make it all the way over to Europe, and there are bigger name countries that they would like to visit before making it to this tiny island which in all actuality isn’t even a part of the continent of Europe. Still, there are plenty of reasons to consider this tiny island country to come and visit. It is home to amazing beaches, tall peaks that even offers skiing during three months of the year, ancient Greek ruins that have held up exceptionally well over the centuries, and most importantly, one of the oldest traditions for wine anywhere in the world.

Cyprus is a must for any wine enthusiast out there. There is only one place in the world that has spent more time creating wine and that is the country of Georgia. There are many varieties that can only be found on the island, but the most famous one is a dessert wine called Commandaria. It is considered the wine mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey that was made from dried grapes and was considered the best wine in the world. Though the recipe has not changed much over the centuries, there are still many variations of this nectar that it is worth traveling around the mountains of Cyprus to the various wineries to try what they have to offer on this selection of wine.

This has been the second time that I have voyaged to these various wineries. The first time I went on a tour which is a great way to do it. A person will come and pick you up in the morning and drive you around while you get to sip the various selections you come across. You never have to worry about drinking too much, and you will be introduced to some of the more popular wineries in the region. The second time I went, I traveled around on my own schedule, and visited some of the lesser known wineries. This does not mean that they do not produce great wine. It just means that they are a smaller operation, and you have to get off the beaten path in order to find their tasting rooms. It changed the way that I enjoyed the region and it came with a few unexpected surprises along the way.

My favorite surprise came when visiting the small village of Ayios Mamas. Up a steep hill indicated only by a hand painted sign is the tasting room for the Revecca winery. They only focus on the Commandaria wine that the region is famous for, and their production is only seven to eight barrels a year. The tasting room is a small room in what used to be the house of the grandmother who first inspired this winery. It has been converted, but it still holds the feel of walking into someone’s home with a welcoming smile. It was my last stop of the day, and the one that had me enjoy an adventure that I would not have gotten on a regular wine tour.

The owner of the winery first told us all about the operation as we got to taste two of the vintages they had. When our time there was ending, I asked where the vineyards were, and she explained to me that she was going out there after we were done there because it was harvest time, and if we wanted, we could go visit them with her. I have learned in all of travels that when out and somebody offers something like this, you always say, yes. It did not disappoint. We were able to go to the vineyard, taste some grapes straight from the vines, watch as the grapes slowly dried out in the sun, and watch as they brought in daily haul so get the process started with them. It was a side of wine production that not many people get to witness and it made the personalized tour much more memorable than the one I took last time. Now, I know that this is not something that will be offered to all guests who show up to taste the wine, but it would not have happened if we hadn’t planned our own day.

Both ways are great experiences, but I am grateful to the Revecca winery to give me an experience that I will never forget. Not only did I learn a lot about the process of how one of the oldest wines in the world was made, but I got to taste a couple that were the premiere example of these wines. If you do find yourself in Cyprus, make sure you take time to visit the wineries, but find those hidden gems that won’t bring in the crowds like the bigger establishments. Revecca winery would be the perfect one to start with.

Until next time, keep on getting out there and finding those experiences.

The Snapshot

Can the world be held within a snapshot
From that small moment when the shutter clicked
To capture a time that we never sought
Held in an album where pages are flicked?
What makes this picture different than the rest,
Glued in place by the four little brown tabs
Where our vision is treated as a guest,
Given glimpses of the past we can grab?
Where have all of those smiling faces gone,
Who once graced us by visiting our doors,
But ever since the passing of the dawn,
Can now be found on pieces of cardboard?
Your smile is the one I miss the most,
Though the album has been a gracious host.

The Family Recipe

This recipe is a long tradition
That has been passed down to me by my mother.
As I pass it to your generation,
I hope you’ll pass it on to another.
We will use the freshest ingredients
As you blend them together in the pot.
We adjust the taste by using the scents
Whose unique detection my mother taught.
It’s best brewed during a warm afternoon
Where we enjoy each other’s company;
We’ll wrap ourselves in the kitchen’s cocoon,
Waiting to partake in the labor’s honey.
We have to protect what could be a loss,
So I will teach you how to make our sauce.

The Wake

Open up another bottle of wine
Because we have defeated this soldier.
Fill up your glass first before you fill mine;
We don’t need to see if this one’s bolder.
It helps to fill the room up with laughter
When we let this sweet nectar grease our brain.
We’ll think about consequences after
We have enjoyed our sleepy refrain.
In the morning, we can see what we’ve done,
Though our head will give us a reminder.
The night before we had a lot of fun,
Though we had no idea what we’d find there.
It is the biggest drawback of the drink,
Trying to ignore what we have to think.