Lifestyle & Commentary

It has been incredibly tragic day; the deaths of those workers in the Soma mine seem so senseless, we've been having a hard time...

For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major factor shaping our lives. This year again, the holy month of Ramadan began...

The Holy month of Ramadan aka Ramazan has started here in Turkey and over this thirty day period devout Muslims fast during daylight hours....

Three weeks ago, I was taking the metrobüs with my brother from Şirinevler, on a very rainy day. Being as crowded as it was...

While regular weekend lockdowns in Istanbul have been a unifying experience in a myriad of ways, so much of our experience is tied to...

The title of my piece belongs to the aphorism of famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875). Andersen said long time ago “where words...

When foreigners move to Türkiye, they usually prepare themselves for the obvious cultural shifts—things like dating customs, family dynamics, or the sheer challenge of...

We Call It Home: Istanbul Dialogues is a new monthly series showcasing the inspiring contributions being made by Istanbul’s diverse international community to the...

Wow, I know, that was a controversial title wasn't it? Now that I've got your attention, can I just say that obviously this is...

Colife is an Istanbul-based international smart-rental startup that operates as a full-cycle property management company. From the start, Colife has been revolutionizing the rental...

Yesterday Turkey was rocked by a horrific suicide bombing targeting a group of people traveling to Syria on a humanitarian mission. The victims were bright, selfless...

Turkey is one of the few countries in the world where the rate of HIV/AIDS cases has been increasing in the past decade. Despite...

As a young teenager I was a tomboy, so getting my first bra wasn’t something I looked forward to. When the fateful day came...

On the morning of February 6th 2023, the citizens of Turkey woke up to the tragic news of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake affecting major...

I’m pretty sure we hit traffic the first time I visited Ortaköy. I distinctly remember being in a taxi for what felt like ages,...

Editor's Note: Jasmine Baladi is one of the organizations at this year's We Are All Refugees event. Jasmine Baladi is a Syrian run, non-profit organization...

Being an expat is difficult. You start a new life somewhere you probably have very limited knowledge about. All your old habits and automatized...

This week has been one of sadness and deep reflection for all of us in Turkey. These heinous, tragic attacks are all too frequent and...

Being an expat is difficult. You need courage to leave not only your comfort zone and sense of security behind, but also your lifestyle,...

It started with my husband spotting a rat on his way to work. "Don't get scared, but I saw a mouse on the ground floor...

The 20+ kilometer bike ride from Kadıköy to Pendik is one of the best places to take advantage of the sahil, featuring wide paths,...

During my first few months in Istanbul I wasn’t exactly bowled over by the place. I thought it was pushy, crowded, ugly and disorganised....

Living in Istanbul comes with many joys alongside many compromises. If you are the kind of person who tries to lead a green life,...

I have never really been a "film guy" in the traditional sense, but growing up in a small town where there wasn’t much else...