An Ode to Yabangee

Well this isn’t technically an ode seeing as poetry intimidates me. What it is though, is a giant shout-out to all you Yabangee-ers out there. To the staff, writers, and heck you readers get in this love puddle too, to the Yabangee community: Thank you. Thank you for making my year.

After I hopped off the plane and settled down in September, I had a moment where I realized that for the first time in my life I was living somewhere where I had no network, no base. I didn’t know where to go in the city, what to do, or who to do it with.

When I started following and then working for Yabangee, so many doors opened up for me. Throughout the year, I was able to discover this amazing city through art, music, forums and much more. Some of my favorite memories and the most interesting things I did happened because of the site.

Aside from what you experience in a place, I think whom you share your experiences with matters even more. From huge socials to not so much smaller writers meetings where both tea and wine drinking were appropriate, getting to know such a dynamic, diverse, and crazy group was a pleasure.

It’s the common paradox of huge cities, but especially as a foreigner in Istanbul I think it can be easy to feel alone. However, for me, being a part of this project helped me feel like I belonged. I can’t tell you how important that is.

So thanks again. In the words of my old chemistry teacher (quoting famous people is totally passé): You’re all f***ing rock stars.

Here’s to this beautiful city and it’s beautiful people. I’ll miss every bit.

With love,
Erin

PS- This article was written Monday, June 2nd. 😉