Tweeting before Twitter

Meandering the mountain roads behind Turkey's Black Sea coast, one comes across isolated villages nestled in the hillsides. Some are inaccessible by car and require a few hours' walk across a valley. Cables stretched across the valleys to exchange goods and messages across a pulley are common site. In this context, the kuşdil (bird language), a language consisting of loud whistles developed among mountain residents to facilitate communication.

Culture, Language, GiresunErin PittsAugust 21, 2015Bird Language, Kuşdili, Giresun, Festivals, Language, MountainsComment

City of independence

If May 19 in Turkey is like France's July 14th Bastille Day or America's July 4th Independence Day, then Samsun on the Black Sea coast is Turkey's Paris or Philadelphia.

Culture, SamsunErin PittsMay 22, 2015Mustafa Kemal, Atatürk, Independence, Parades, 19th of May, Holidays, CelebrationsComment

Faces of Turkey

theperennialplate.com and intrepidtravel.com produced this incredible video capturing the delicious food of this land and its beautiful faces.

Food, CultureErin PittsFebruary 18, 2015People, Faces, Food, VideoComment

Dancing like a fish

The Turks of the Black Sea coast are a hearty people. They love to tell stories and organize communal gatherings. So it's no surprise that music is an essential part of Black Sea culture.

Culture, RizeErin PittsFebruary 9, 2015Music, Kemençe, Tulum, Horon, Hemşin, Hamsi, Dance, RizeComment

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