Tale from Istanbul’s New Normal
Friday night. A few minutes before midnight. April 20th, 2020. Kaan is in the CCTV room of the luxurious hotel where he works as...
A South Asian’s Guide to Eating in Istanbul
South Asians love spice in everything – life, movies and of course, food. South Asian food is truly so spectacular; the complexity of flavors,...
Just for Fun: Seven “Best” Turkish Foods
When Tas decided to share her cheeky and genuinely pretty accurate list of worst Turkish foods (looking at you leblebi!), my inner Turk compelled...
Open Call – ‘We Call It Home: Istanbul Dialogues’ Speaker Suggestions
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...
Introducing RIFA: Robert’s International Football Academy
RIFA - Robert’s International Football Academy was started by Robert Mullally in 2012, with the dream to change lives and perspectives through sport. How?...
Earthquake Donations, Volunteering, Needs, and Resources: Help Those Impacted in Turkey...
On Monday 06 February, 2023 two massive earthquakes (7.5 and 7.8 in magnitude) devastated Turkey and Syria, with aftershocks being felt hundreds of miles...
Beyond the Bosphorus: Views of a Long-Term Yabancı
Having lived in Istanbul going on a decade, I have seen a lot of people come and go. It becomes almost like clockwork. Every...
A Five Star Toilet – Bathroom Tales in Turkey
Back in 1990 when I first visited Turkey, toilets, whether squat or what we think of as ‘normal’ but the Turks call Ala Franga,...
Thanksgiving for Expats in Istanbul: A Taste of Home Away from...
Thanksgiving is a beloved tradition, a time for gathering with family and friends, sharing a festive meal, and reflecting on the things we’re grateful...
Shopping for Unmentionables: Buying Underwear in Turkey
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...
Art Appreciation on the Istanbul Metro
Death is lurking, and able to strike trepidation into the hearts of the most sanguine of us wherever and however we live. Istanbul is...
The Way We Travel
When it comes to travel, the questions, ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ are often far more meaningful than, ‘where?’ Two people may go on the same...
Pet Life: On Having a Dog in Istanbul (The Adventures of...
Many will be quick to share the story of how prophet Mohammed cut his robe as to not disturb the slumber of a cat...
Practices of Mindfulness in Turkey
We sometimes forget how hectic life in a cosmopolitan city like Istanbul can be (I know I do). Weekdays can feel mechanical, while weekends...
Organization Profile: Jasmine Baladi
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...
10 Tips for Coping with Feelings of Isolation and Loneliness as...
Being an expat is difficult. You need courage to leave not only your comfort zone and sense of security behind, but also your lifestyle,...
Flight Volunteers Needed: Take a Pet to their Forever Home
Flight volunteering for Cihangir Cool for Cats and our network of rescuers is easy and will cost you nothing! We will take care of...
In Conversation with Christian Feiland, Aiding Istanbul’s Street Animal Helpers with...
Anyone who has spent time in Turkey, especially Istanbul, will have noted the condition of street animals here. For all the compassion that exists...
The Allure of Elsewhere
Wherever you go, there you are. And wherever you are, there is someone who wants to be somewhere else. After living in the United...
The Art of Nothing in Istanbul
Nothing: nothing to do, nothing to fix. No work to go to, no garden to tend. No meetings to go to, no dance classes…absolutely...
The Heat of Summers Present and Past
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,...
Turkey’s trek to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
This article was adapted from Yesilist.com
Turkey is constantly being nudged to get on board with the worldwide trend to reduce emissions and pursue renewable energy...
Learning and Growing on a Turkish Organic Farm with TaTuTa
I found myself popping out of a packed dolmuş onto the side of a winding country road. Shortly after, my overstuffed tan hiking bag...
RX: Istanbul’s Central, Electric Nightclub for ‘Rhythm Xposure’
In a city buzzing with nightlife, the electronic music scene is a changing tapestry as the nightclubs of Istanbul past ebb and evolve into...