I woke up to a mysterious text message from my friend Ekrem: “I’ve got a one-of-a-kind job waiting for you in Cappadocia if you can make it here by Monday.

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in my travels is that the best food is any destination is never at the fancy hotels. Follow the locals and you’ll eat well (and cheaply).

Does it ever get lonely out on the road? Yes. But if you can learn to embrace loneliness, it can be a great teacher.