"Annem" or My Mom

Moms really are the best. Mine showed up for a 10-day visit last week. I've been feeling sick lately, so I planned to spend some days whining about my headache, cough and soar throat. I pictured Mom walking through the arrivals gate with puffy eyes and swollen feet and me saying, "Don't worry, Ma. I'll stay home and do nothing with you for the first few days. We'll work through your jet-lag together."

It seems, however, that Mom has uncovered an abnormal amount of vigor. She listened to me hack up a lung and then she trotted off to the drugstore (alone), to buy cough syrup and other meds. Somewhere in there, she went to a currency exchange and she learned the Turkish words for "daughter" "sick" and "anything to shut her up" to use with the pharmacist. She then drugged me and dragged me around town.

Okay, well, maybe she didn't have to drag me. Maybe it was the mention of a eucalyptus steam bath and a Turkish hamam that got me out of bed.

Mom and I don't make a habit of spoiling ourselves (she's never had a massage- can you imagine?!), but we decided to go for bust and try out the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. Sweet Mother of Jesus, I LOVE TURKISH HAMAMS. The scrubbing, the bubbles, the everything. I could write a book about them, but instead I'll write something short and sweet next week.

OF NOTE: Yes, there was an earthquake here last week. I seem to be the only person who noticed it. The quake hit while Mom and I were sitting at a restaurant along the water. When it started, I said, "Ma, I think this is an earthquake," she said, "No, it was probably just a boat docking or something." Then she shrugged and ordered another drink. I wondered if I was losing my mind. (Thanks to those who sent worried e-mails. It's good to know that someone is concerned for my health)