Turkey: Our shopping spree

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah, my family and I managed to pull ourselves out from daily routine of work and escaped to the land of Baklava.

As for my parents, they both are so crazy for olives. They started to like olive (known as 'zaitun' in Arabic), when their Arabs friends introduced it to them when they still in the States. They could eat olives with almost everything, sandwich, spaghetti, pizza, pasta , fried noodles, pita bread etc. So going to Turkey has served them way right as the Turkey has Mediterranean climate zone. So, this kind of climate of relatively mild winter and very warm summer produces olives, figs, walnuts, grapes and fragrant herbs of rosemary, thyme and lavender etc. So they have bought kg's of green olives from the spice bazaar (also known as Egyptian bazaar) in Istanbul.

I had no idea olives could come in so many colour. Thought only green and black. hehe

Since mom is so much into this fruits and spices, so she bought dried figs, walnuts, pistachios, apricots, some Turkish spices for chicken marination, olive oil for skin care, and chili.

See the signage at the entrance. Misir Carsisi  mean Egyptian bazaar or market.

As for me, I know what I would be looking for. When I was in Bosnia, I always checked on Bosnian girls, especially how the Muslim Bosnian dress up. Since I saw them mostly in winter, so my observations is that most of them wear wide leg pants or jeans with a long winter coat and plain colour shawls to cover the head. Sometimes they go for skirts. For younger generations, they wear pleated jeans skirt which I find it stylish yet modest.  In Malaysia, it's hard to find jeans skirt which I like. Mostly they are too curvy or too tight at thigh area. So, I decided to get one for myself and was hoping that they have my size. The thing is that I realized when I shopped for skirts or pants, most of them are made in Turkey. And I was told by a Turkish friend that they could get those in Turkey with cheaper price. All this while I had been wondering where to get a pair of nice skirt and loose jeans pant. From that moment, I made an conclusion that is where the source is. Turkey! :)

You can witness below when I said Istanbul is one of the shopping heaven for Muslim women! ;)

You can get everything from top to bottom.

Skirts/ Pants

Pardesu ( A long garment worn by Muslim women. In Malaysia we called them 'jubbah'. In the middle east, it is 'abaya')

Love the colour!

Shawls, pashminas & scarfs

Pashmina

Scarfs and shawls retail store. They only take if you want to buy in bulk.

For dad, he looked for office shirts and suit jackets. We stumbled across a complex where you can find most of men's wear. So, it's dad turn after so many ours. hehe. The price is reasonable too. Okay, guys! Don't you worry because you have shopping spot too! :)

Sisters finding ways to fill up the gap while waiting for dad.

Their significant welcome treat. Free tea!

So, I guess what makes each trip different from others is what we managed to find and bring home. Things which is not available at home or if there is, would costs us more. Therefore, a reminder to all, always make a research on your travel destination on what they specialized at and what is plentiful there, so that you won't miss getting something worthy. And worth the flight ticket! :)

Turkey: Magical World of Turkey

Bismillah.

It took me nearly half an hour to figure out where to begin. Mom has done an excellent job writing on about 90% of our trip to Turkey. So, I am going to let you have the 'tour' with her. You may do so by clicking below links which is listed sequentially:

- Istanbul Aku Datang 1

- The Turkey Trip Summary Part 1

- Marmara Region: Canakkale- Troy- Asklepion

- Aegean Region: Kusadasi- Pamukkale

- Central Anatolia: Konya-Cappadocia

- Central Anatolia: Cappadocia, land of natural wonders

- Central Anatolia: Ankara

- The Turkey Trip Summary Part 11: On our own in Huge Istanbul

                                                                              ....

Once I set my foot outside the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, it was early, about 7am in the morning. As it was mid of November, the weather was cold and occasionally windy. Fairly low temperature at 15 degree. Looking at the grey sky, the cool air that I breathe, the mixed smell of au de parfum and tobacco, tall people in dark colours of winter wear, Caucasian women wearing hijabs and head scarfs, all of these brought back my memories in Bosnia. I know it is not fair to compare Bosnia from Turkey. But someone even told me that Sarajevo is like a piece of Istanbul. So, the blame cannot be put completely on me. ;)

Anyway, I would love to highlights on couple of things that I found them remarkable and worth of notice in Turkey. These are the things I personally fall in love with and keep saying to myself not to forget them. They are:

a) nature beauty and ancient historical place

b) shopping focal point,

c) food 

d) language. 

Today let me start off with what Turkey has to offer in regards to nature beauty. And the rest bullet points will come later, okay? :)

If you are looking for a place that could give you a wide-eyed gaze and cause jaw dropping, there are two places that will fit the bills. They are Pamukkale and Cappadocia.

Pamukkale in Turkish means cotton castle. Pamuk is cotton, and kale is castle. From the name itself I believe we can imagine how this place looks like. Well, it is not exactly a castle. It is actually a city which has travertines and terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing hot water spring. Pamukkale was also an ancient city which is called Hierapolis.

View from our moving bus to Pamukkale.

We went there just in time, an hour before sunset. So the view was magical with the sun shone on the white castle-like cascades and makes everything look glittering. Subhanallah!

Cappadocia is located in the central Anatolia. Apart from Istanbul, this was the only place we stayed for two days. Other place was just a night. The reason being that this place has got more to see that we need more time. We visited underground city which largely used by Christians as hiding place during Romans occupation and Gerome park, a fairy chimneys rock formation (historical site under protection of UNESCO). Breathtaking!

Shop in caves. Reminds me of the "Conehead" movies.hehe

The staircase leads to a small chapel built in the cave during Romans period

According to our tour guide, the sci fi movies of Star Wars were filmed here. Hmm.. what do you think of that? ;)

Mom and dad.. awww <3 font="font">

You can ride on the hot air balloon which is available everyday here (if the weather permits). The charges is USD200 per person with a certificate! hehe. 

The hot air balloon started to make its way to the sky..

Soooo excited! Look at countless balloons floating!

So, those are the places that I remember I had to take a deep breathe looking at them. Subhanallah! Wondering how amazing and magnificent these creations are. Lets ask ourselves back.. " How magnificent and great the Creator is, then?" God is the greatest. 

Up next: What to shop in Turkey?

An Introductory: Turkey

Bismillah.

Dear readers,

Think I owe you big. Have been skipping posting since mid of November. I'm gonna write something on my recent trip. Went to Turkey for about 14 days, exploring the well known land of the Ottoman Empire. MashaAllah! What a wonderful land. Turkey is situated at the bridge of European region and Asian region. Therefore, I could say they have the best of both world. So much to see trip. And so much to tell. Hope to be your storyteller soon. ;)

Sweet November

Bismillah. 

Finally, I have got the chance to sit down properly in front of the computer and do some writing.

Okay. Quit blabbering. Since this is one of my medium to record things that happen in my ordinary life. Today, here's the new entry.

Alhamdulillah, all praises goes to the only one, Allah Al Mighty. There are a few good things that has occurred and another will occur in my life. 

My career seems to give me way for the past few weeks. Honestly, after a really long 'climbing' and 'holding' on, I would have to admit, to stop right there and leave would be the easiest way out. Then again, that is what most people do. To search for a comfortable and safer zone. I won't lie that I did think of giving up like many times. Only God knows. But I did not want to be just another person who giving up. Life is not easy and we all know that. I just thought that if I could not make it here, then how am I gonna survive other place? So, I tried and worked hard for it. Prayed hard too. Self motivating was what I did excessively. Until just then, it fall right in front of me. All my work, hardship, pray and patience has been answered. Alhamdulillah, this month has witnessed a step up in my career. And million of thanks goes to the people around me. You guys had no idea how each and everyone of you had inspired and made me think and ponder on life. :)

Another thing is I am gonna do what I always love to do. Travelling! InsyaAllah, in 3 days time, I will be on a jet plane. And the place I am gonna conquer is actually has been in the family list of places to go for quite some times. Dad has expressed his interest to visit this country since I was like 19 years old. And now, insyaAllah, we are close to that. Preparation and packing has been running loosely for the past two months. Hopefully, Allah let us explore the part of the world that he created. Hoping for a safe and smooth journey too. And mostly importantly, to add value to oneself after returning from the trip.

Sahih International

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. - Surah Al Hujurat, verse 13

Indeed.

May we all be in His guidance and circle of iman and taqwa. Ameen.

Stay positive and have faith in Him

Have a sweet november, dearies! :)

Miss Wooly

Bismillah.

This is my top wool wear. It is grey in colour. Bought this in carsia in Sarajevo. Thinking to wear this and other thick and heavy wool apparel again makes me excited.  Though am not going to wear this at the same place but it is the place where Islam came to brighten the Balkan region.

I'm counting days.. sooo excited!