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A Turkish Shave
I had to do a little hunting before I found the right place. The man at my hotel recommended the guy around the corner, but when I walked by the place it looked more like a salon than a time weathered barbershop. I was looking for a traditional Turkish shave, which to me, meant the…
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Living like a Turk at a 16th century bathhouse in Istanbul
Once inside the 16th century Hurrem Sultan Hammam, I entered through the door marked “Gentlemen Only” and found myself in a room glowing in an ethereal blue haze, accented by pinpoints of ochre light from dozens of votives. There were cushions for lounging scattered about a central cascading fountain and beds, covered in crisp white…
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Point Bob, U.S.A.
It was on my first visit here that I noticed Point Roberts on the map, a tiny piece of the United States accessible only from Canada. It seemed a peculiar curiosity I’d investigate on a future trip. Eight years and as many visits later, I finally found myself in the place locals call Point Bob.…
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Always bring your earplugs
Instinctually, I reached for my earplugs as the door to the dorm room opened well past midnight, but then I hesitated. I had been waiting for my next story and this event seem to hold some promise. I knew he was a drunk the moment I opened the door the previous afternoon. He had…
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Fall
I say I hate the seasons; well, all but one. What I really mean is that I just don’t believe in weather. Having been raised in California, I grew up thinking it was always 70 degrees and sunny outside. Unlike the Eskimo and their 50 words for snow, we Californians have just one word for…
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A nice piece of Astoria
I was visiting Astoria about a month ago when a friend of mine bought me the book “A Little Piece of Astoria”, by Matt Love. Unfortunately, I didn’t begin to read it until I returned to Portland and quickly became disappointed that I had waited as it was filled with the kinds of unusual things…
