Overview

Turkish cuisine is a perfect mix of flavors and ingredients. It is mainly derived from Ottoman cuisine – and bearing in mind how big and ethnically diverse the Ottoman Empire was, it is easy to understand why influences from at least four different cultures can be found in Turkish food today: Balkan, Asian, Arabian and Mediterranean. Though typical dishes vary across the different parts of the country, there are some common key ingredients that can be found almost universally: lamb, beef, rice, eggplants, peppers, onions and of course – for Turkey’s famous desserts – pistachios, almonds and hazelnuts.

Some must-tries

You can’t get a taste of authentic Turkish food without trying the meal that made the Imam (an Islamic Leader) faint – at least that is the legend behind the name of the famous onion and tomato stuffed eggplant dish “Imam Bayildi”. The name literally translates as “the Imam fainted” and the story goes like this: one day the wife of the Imam cooked this meal and it looked so delicious that the Imam fainted just at the sight of it.

Another star of Turkish cuisine is rice – pilaf – which is served as a side dish with almost every meal. The most popular and easiest version of this is just plain rice, cooked in water and stirred through with butter, though sometimes tomatoes, chickpeas, eggplant and various spices can be added.

And since one of the few well-known truths about life is that “pizza is always a good idea”, while in Turkey you can substitute that for what is often referred to as “the Turkish pizza” – lahmacun. The meal consists of thin dough topped with minced meat and vegetables, then sprinkled with parsley and lemon juice. It goes very well with ayran (a salty yogurt drink) and is a relatively cheap, fast snack.

Lahmacun

The sweet side of life in Turkey

Think of the sweetest thing you’ve ever eaten. Multiply that by three and you get the flavor of Turkey’s most famous dessert: baklava. Today’s baklava recipes date back to at least the 15^th century, though the initial time and place of its origin are still debatable. What’s for sure though is that baklava is one of the most popular snacks to eat between meals or with a cup of tea. Traditionally it is made from filo pastry filled with pistachio, almonds or hazelnuts and held together with syrup.

A lighter and rather fresher dessert is the Turkish muhalebbi – a creamy, milk-based pudding. It is thickened by rice flour, topped with syrup and often flavored with cinnamon, saffron and some pistachios on top.

And a trip to Turkey doesn’t even count if you don’t return home with some treats like the delicious Turkish delight (gelatinous candies made from starch and sugar), tahin (crushed sesame seeds), flour or semolina helva, or marzipan (Turkish marzipan is considered to be among the best in the world).

The coffee culture

Turkish coffee is a big part of the country’s cultural heritage. Drinking coffee is a social ritual here and has been so ever since the 16^th century, when the first coffee houses appeared in Istanbul. In fact, the Turkish lifestyle is so influenced by the beverage that even the world for breakfast (“kahvalti”) translates literally as “before coffee”. It plays a big part in some special occasions like engagements, when the bride’s coffee-making skills are judged by the groom’s family.

When you are done with your coffee, it is common for your hostess in Turkey to use the leftover ‘mud’ in the bottom of the cup for fortune telling and discovering your true thoughts and feelings.

There are some special techniques for brewing Turkish coffee that make it unlike any other. The coffee is first blended, then roasted and ground. Some special tools are needed from this point on, like the copper boiling pot (cezve) in which the coffee slowly brews, and the artistic ceramic cups in which it is served.

The tea culture

Turkish tea is black and strong and served boiling hot in a tulip-shaped glass. In the past century it has become the drink of choice for most people and is sure to be offered to guests at Turkish people’s homes. Just like coffee, there is a specific ritual for preparing Turkish tea – in a double-level teapot made specially for that purpose. First the water is poured into the bottom level, and some herbal leaves placed in the upper one. When the water starts boiling, part of the liquid rises to the top one for about 15–20 minutes. The strong drink is then served along with the rest of the water, which can be added to dilute the strength of the tea, depending on the person’s individual preferences.

The street food

The Turkish kebab that can now be found all over the world has an interesting origin. When Turkish soldiers were away from home, they used their swords to grill meat. One cook from Bursa – Iskender – took that idea, but decided to place the rotisserie vertically instead of horizontally. In doing so he became the father of the most famous Turkish kebab – the döner kebab – which is well known as one of the most delicious and popular street snacks all across Turkey (and the whole world, really!).

Another on-the go breakfast favored by a lot of Turkish people, especially in Istanbul, is the simit, which is actually one of the symbols of the city. It is easy to understand why when you smell the tempting aroma of the freshly-baked, sesame-encrusted bread rings early in the morning while the city is still waking up.

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If you ever travel to Costa Rica, you can’t legally enter the country without knowing the principles of pura vida. You are given a 30-minute test on the topic where you should gain at least…

OK, now seriously. Your trip to Costa Rica will be deeper and more meaningful if you know the concept that explains pretty much everything in Costa Rica. It is also better than any souvenir that you can bring back home – a new lifestyle to make you happier. Aren’t Costa Ricans geniuses?

What does pura vida mean?

It is an expression every Costa Rican uses several times a day. Pura vida literally translates as “pure life” or “simple life” but it’s much more than this. It’s the art of living a happy and worry-free life, the concept of taking things as they are and not trying to change them by all means, the deep respect for nature, family and the important things in life. You will be able to indulge in the pura vida lifestyle if you spend some time in Costa Rica and look at the facial expressions of people when they hear these words. It’s the way ticos (people from Costa Rica) remind each other that life is to be enjoyed.

Where does the phrase pura vida come from

Most probably the phrase came with the Mexican movie “Pura vida” shown in Costa Rica in the 1950s. The main character goes from trouble to trouble but keeps his optimistic view saying “pura vida”. Although the phrase didn’t have immediate success, it became part of the everyday language nationwide by the end of 1970s.

How to use pura vida

– Hi, Maria, how are you?

– Pura vida.

or

– Pura vida?

– I’m fine!

or

– She is so pura vida!

This simple. Pura vida can be a greeting, a way to say “excellent” or “easy-going”. The most important thing is to accept it with your heart. If soemthing doesn’t turn out like you expected – pura vida! If someone doesn’t show up for your meeting – pura vida! If you have food for dinner – that’s also pura vida! If you meet a friend on the street – pura vida again.

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“The art of not giving a sh*t, doing everything at a relaxed pace and not worrying at all”.

The aylyak lifestyle originated in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-biggest city, where it has been practiced intensely for decades. If the definition appeals to you, we encourage you to indulge in a little aylyak no matter where in the world you are. Here’s our complete guide to the aylyak lifestyle.

[*in fact, aylak is the Turkish word for ‘idle’. The meaning Bulgarians attribute to it, however, is far more complicated and represents a way of life rather than a momentary condition.]

Don’t hurry. Seriously, don’t. Ever.

The residents of Plovdiv are famous for taking long, leisurely walks back and forth along their main pedestrian street, Alexander I. If you sit at one of the sidewalk cafes and try to remember the faces of the passers-by, you might be surprised that you can actually do it because people keep on passing again and again. If there’s a job that needs to be done, it can be, of course, postponed.

In fact, the only aspect of life in Plovdiv that seems rushed or stressful is the driving. Slow and relaxed while they walk, Plovdiv dwellers turn into wild beasts as soon as they get behind the wheel of their car. You may be honked at, shouted at and brutalized in many ways on the road, but always keep in mind that these are the same humble people whose faces you remembered earlier in the cafe.

Take advantage of the weather

Plovdiv is notorious for its sizzling summers, when you can expect the temperature to stay above 84°F (29°C) until midnight. Then and only then can you comfortably hit the street and enjoy the nightlife under the stars (Kapana art district and the old town are the two best places to do it).

So what should you do to pass the time during these sweltering days? Simple: aylyak (a.k.a., savoring craft beers, napping, reading, talking to friends on the phone). Repeat in winter (substituting beer for mulled wine).

Street art in Kapana district, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Keep calm when you feel irritated

If only! In fact, Bulgarians are not very good at ignoring the annoyances around them; they feel personally obliged to respond loudly to every single thing they don’t like. Yet somehow they still manage to practice the zen-like lifestyle of aylyak. Are you confused now? As you can see, aylyak is a very complex concept…

Aylyak and mañana

There’s a famous Bulgarian joke that pretty much explains it all.

A Bulgarian asks a Spaniard:

– What does “mañana, mañana” mean?

– It’s when your life is mainly drinking wine, relaxing, eating good food, and having loads of fun. And what is aylyak?

– The same but without all this tension.

Night alyak at the Singing Fountains, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Aylyak, mayna!

If you are not familiar with Bulgarian culture, you might also be interested to learn that the residents of Plovdiv are known for their excessive use of another Plovdiv-born word: “mayna” (pronounced my-nah). This is even harder to translate as it can stand for almost any part of the sentence, ranging from “bro” to “I can’t believe it!”, “get away” or “good luck”, just to name a few.

You’ll gain plenty of respect from a Plovdiv resident if you say: “Aylyak, mayna”, which means “I’m relaxed and worry-free, and I don’t care for anything in this world” (and I know how to say it in Bulgarian!).

>>> Read more about Bulgaria.

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The Danish concept of hygge has taken the world by storm in the past year. Some people have found its meaning in cozy socks and candlelight, but for others it is a faraway philosophy revealing the secrets to a happy life. One thing is for sure – hygge has made us think of ways to improve our well-being and turn every moment into a celebration for the soul.

Things you should know about hygge:

• It is one of the central characteristics of Danish culture.

• It is pronounced “hoogha”.

• It translates roughly “coziness”.

• It is a psychological state of contentment.

• The essential facets of the hygge lifestyle are: coziness, a pleasant atmosphere, spending quality time with the people around you and connecting with nature.

• It was shortlisted in the Oxford 2016 word of the year competition.

5 ways you can apply hygge to traveling

1. Get comfy on the road.

Traveling is not just about the destination; equally important are the journeys along the way. You can turn the road itself into a hygge experience by choosing the means of transport you find most comfortable to take you where you need to go. Grab some nice coffee, get cozy, put your headphones on and listen to your favorite music while enjoying the view out the window.

2. Spend time outdoors.

Connecting with nature is one of the key components of hygge, and a big part of Danish culture in general. To embrace the hygge philosophy on your travels, make sure you explore the nature surrounding you. That could involve cycling, walking, surfing or simply sitting and observing.

3. Enjoy the little things.

One important element of the hygge lifestyle is thinking about everyday activities as if they are special celebrations. This works especially well if you are exploring an unknown place. On your next trip, pay attention to the food you eat, the atmosphere of the cafes you visit, the beautiful gardens you stroll through and every other detail that piques your interest throughout the day. If all those things make you happy already, you might be practicing hygge without even realizing it.

4. Come together.

Another element of hygge is finding happiness through socializing, and there is nothing more hygge than traveling with friends or family – the perfect chance to create memories and strengthen the bond between you.

However, traveling alone doesn’t mean you can’t find togetherness on the road. With more and more apps like Rent a Local Friend, Couchsurfing, Showaround and Global Greeters, it is easier than ever to make friends wherever you go. That connection, according to the Danes, is one of the ingredients of a happy life, both on the road and off it.

5. Take it slow.

Travel, like many things in life, is about quality over quantity. Traveling slowly allows you to form a stronger connection with the places you visit, which in turn creates that hygge vibe of relaxation and coziness.

READ MORE:

WHAT TO DO ON A RAINY DAY – 20 IDEAS WITH FRIENDS

5 MINI HABITS THAT WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY YOU TRAVEL

10 CRAZY TRAVEL CHALLENGES FOR THE WILD-SPIRITED

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