Back to basics. And Raki

A different week and better health. The fluey thing lifted faster than I hoped, and the visit to the Fracture Clinic went well: The consultant said to take off the sling and exercise my arm, although, because of the nature of the break, I may never be able to hold it completely straight again.

Anyway, several things have conspired to remind me of the original purpose of this blog, which was to talk about raki, recipes, booze, food, politics, and the odd rant. And raki. Also, a comment on Marcus' blog about the simplicity required to follow the teachings of the Buddha, and an article about mindfulness, got my attention. So, what I am trying to do is a) get this blog back something more direct and b) ensure I write it regularly and mindfully. At least, I think that's the idea.

So, what could be more back to basics than this?
Take two glasses, tall and narrow and preferably taken from the fridge. Take a jug of chilled spring water, a bucket of ice, and then a bottle of raki, preferably cold, preferably Tekirdag. Pour a generous measure of raki into one glass: Add ice, then add water, abd watch as it becomes a pearly white liquid. Fill the other glass with cold water and ice, and see condensation forming almost immediately on the outside: Now, add a plate of white cheese, a platter of sweet watermelon, some sigara boregi, haydari, acili ezme and patlican ezmesi, plus perhaps some leblebi, all to be followed by freshly-caught sea bass or bluefish, fried and served with rocket and lemon, or a plate of kofte and rice. On top of this, have an outdoor setting on a warm evening, overlooking the Bosphorus or the Bay of Izmir, and someone playing the saz and singing songs full of huzun:Now take a bite of one of the things laid before you, then a sip of raki, and tell me that it doesn't get much better than this.
And keep drinking till the angels start singing to you.