Levantine Lessons: Discovering Syria in Istanbul
“Light is more important than the lantern,
The poem more important than the notebook”
― Syrian poet, Nizar Qabbani
To the general public, Syria has become...
Yabangee Recommends: “Where can I go when I’m the third wheel...
“Where can I go when I’m the awkward third wheel on a date?”
This unfortunate situation has been endured by many, myself included. To make...
Announcement: Free Wi-Fi Spots in Istanbul
Starting in April the metropolitan municipality of Istanbul (İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi) will offer free Wi-Fi hotspots at a number of the city’s squares and...
Why Every Istanbulite Should Visit Warsaw
Honestly, Warsaw had never been at the top of my travel bucket list. I would have enjoyed seeing it one day, but it just...
Rimuut: Borderless Freelancing Solution For Yabangees
In the era of digital nomads, Turkey has proven itself an idyllic destination for freelancers from all over the world. Whether settling in for...
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,...
Luggage Delayed? How to Claim Compensation
Has your luggage ever been delayed significantly? This past summer I found myself in Istanbul without any of my bags. They eventually arrived 3...
23 Turkish Phrases I Wish Someone Had Taught Me
There are a number of phrases that Turks use in daily life that you may not find properly explained in your Intro to Turkish...
The Ultimate List of European Restaurants & Cafes in Istanbul
Expat life can get dull, eating the same kind of food every single day. The lack of foreign food in a cosmopolite city like...
Turna.com: Your Gateway to a Seamless Travel Experience
Planning your dream vacation should usually be one of the most exciting and hassle free experiences. With hundreds of possible destinations and numerous travel...
Aziz Nesin: Author, Humorist, Activist
At a gathering of the elite doctors of the world, speaker after speaker demonstrates a miracle of medical science. An operation able to change...
Insider Trading: St. John of Stoudios
In a city whose skyline is spiked with thousands of minarets, it is sometimes forgotten just how many churches are snuggled in the back...
Ancient Love Affair: Carian Project, a Self-Initiated Artist Residency
After moving from Istanbul to the small village of Turunç in southwest Turkey’s Muğla region, I finally had the time and energy to explore...
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...
Insider Trading: At Origin Coffee
If you are a coffee lover, no doubt you have heard by now of single-origin coffee. It’s all the rage; even Starbucks has joined...
Buying a Home in Turkey – Finding the Right Price (Part...
So, you’ve been in Turkey for a while and decided that it might make sense to buy a home or maybe you have your...
The Respite of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands
Every time I head out to the islands, I look back on the Istanbul skyline as I imagine the first astronauts gazed down upon...
Republic Day: A Last-Minute Guide
Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) is this Wednesday, 29 October, and the holiday officially begins Tuesday afternoon. Republic Day commemorates the declaration of the Republic of...
The Peculiar Case of the Cult of the Renault 12
Did you notice that every Renault 12 in the known universe had disappeared? Are you worried that some black hole had appeared and was...
Five Things to Photograph in Istanbul
When my husband and I first visited Istanbul as tourists several years ago, we got the requisite blurry shots of the Hagia Sophia and...
Six Years in, in The Soulful City
Just as you never fully know a person, a subject or yourself, you never grasp Istanbul in its entirety; it’s too big, too complex...
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...
Fall Resolutions for Yabangees in Istanbul
There is no better time to start working on your resolutions than the Fall season! Don’t believe me? Let me show you why.
Most people...
6 Permanent Istanbul Collections Worth (Re)visiting
What comes to your mind, when you hear the word Istanbul? After living here for almost four years, there are many words and associations which...