Tahin Helvasi (Gut bomb): Our latest treat is a pseudo-chocolate bar that the English speaking manager from Migros told us we had to buy. The ingredients are: sesame paste (like used for hummus), sugar, cocoa, and flavors/preservatives. Half of the package has 54% of your fat for the day. It's like eating 8 spoonfuls of peanut butter in a row. Really scrumptious until you stop and feel it hit the bottom of your stomach - gut bomb. Self-control is a necessity.
I found Turkish Aldi today! Bim is a small store with everything on palates and cheaper prices than Migros. We shall be able to eat meat every week!
Seeing how the other half lives...
The architecture and buildings here are so fascinating. Along the landscape you'll see every different color of building...different heights...different sizes. Even in our neighborhood, we have one story houses that are crumbling next to 8 story apartment buildings that are brand new. There is always construction going on, and unlike Cameroon, buildings are finished and moved into! It seems weird to see new building projects in such an ancient city. But we are thankful, because the new projects include more extensive subway and rail systems that help get people across the city without worry of traffic (just a place to stand). On the way home from the Asian side yesterday we saw huge houses along the hillsides of the coast with pools, large glass windows, and verandas...Imagine living with a firsthand view of the strait. We are rich to some and poor to others no matter where we live.
