The Balyan Family: Royal Architects of the Late Ottoman Empire
Istanbul was the capital of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. Sultans and their wives, princes, viziers and pashas loved to show their power and...
Camel Wrestling in Turkey
The long wait is over: The camels are in heat. Bright-yellow shawls are fetched from the back of the closet. It’s okay again to...
Diwali in Istanbul: The Indian Festival of Lights
In November, Yabangee contributor Devanshu Bawa and I were invited to the Indian Diwali Festival that is organized annually by the Friends of India...
Issues with Joint Bank Accounts in Turkey
If you have lived in Turkey for a while, you’ve probably got an account with a local bank. It is easy enough to open...
Six Tips For Foreigners To Blend Into Turkish Society
I cried. I cried for weeks and it went on around two months. I even questioned my decision of moving to Istanbul and contemplated...
Buying a Home in Turkey: Getting a Mortgage (Part IV)
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...
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...
Student Life: 8 Tips to Live in Istanbul on a Student...
Is living on a budget a choice or an obligation? In my case, unfortunately, it had to be an obligation. I’ve moved to Istanbul...
Buying a House in Turkey – Finding the Right Place (Part...
So, you’ve been in Turkey for a while and decided that it might make sense to buy a house or maybe you have your...
Eating Istanbul: Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Food
As a vegetarian or vegan, by now you may have realized that Turkish people love their meat! Walking through the city you’ll see families...
A Guide to Adopting Street Animals in Turkey
As an animal lover, one of my favorite aspects of life in Turkey can also be one of the most challenging: seeing cats and...
Buying a House in Turkey – Who, Where and When? (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...
Psychological Counseling Options for Internationals in Istanbul
Being a foreigner studying or residing in a different country and a different culture makes one tend to seek for psychological help for various...
Expat Life: Why I chose to give birth in Turkey
Finding out that I was pregnant came as a complete surprise, my husband actually found out before I did, but that's a whole other...
Saving Money in Turkey
So you’ve come to Turkey and plan to stay for a while, or you already live here and have decided to save up some...
7 Best First Date Destinations in Istanbul
Whether it leads to a lasting romance or a cool new friendship, we all get excited about the synergy we might feel on a...
5 Turkish Words I Can’t Live Without
Learning Turkish while living in Istanbul can be an experience both painstaking and profoundly exciting. There is an undefinable moment in this adventure -...
Weekend Getaway: Edirne
Looking for an affordable, easily explored, and architecture-filled weekend trip from Istanbul? Edirne is the place to be! While not as glamourous as other...
Obtaining a Work Permit in Turkey
The work permit process in Turkey is unclear or confusing for many people because of the bureaucracy and inconsistent manner in which information and...
Coming to your senses: The Olfactor
“At no other time (than autumn) does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth; in a smell that is...
16 LGBT Friendly Cafes and Bars in Istanbul
With so many rapid changes happening in Turkey and the world, along with all the changes in our personal lives, the LGBT community needs...
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...
Introducing Asya Tömer: Comprehensive, Affordable Turkish Courses for All Levels
Undoubtedly one of the most surprising qualities of Turkey's international community is how few foreigners have taken the time to learn Turkish despite choosing...
Kaş: A Journey to the Gem of the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way has been mentioned on Yabangee a number of times for good reason, as this hiking trail really deserves all the praise...