Romancing the Old City: A Somewhat Cynical Love Note to Istanbul
To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he...
Insider Trading: Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam
I am fascinated by hamams. Their architecture (those gorgeous holed domes), their history (the ancient ritual of public bathing) and the leisure (they provide...
How to Survive the Metrobüs Experience in Istanbul
“Metrobüs” is a word whispered in dark corners of the yabangee community in İstanbul. So what is this so called Metrobüs? How does it...
The Best Hamams in Istanbul
Now you know about the history of hamams and Turkey's public bathing culture, and you've read the expat's guide to hamams. The next step...
Istanbul Basics: Opening a Bank Account in Turkey
There are several reasons why residents of Istanbul need a Turkish bank account - the most obvious being that it is required for most residence permit...
Tarlabaşı to Feriköy: Sunday Pazar Walk
Istanbul has pazars aplenty. So, one somewhat rainy Sunday I had but one obvious choice for entertaining an out-of-town guest: We took on the task of visiting...
Smoke on the Water: Istanbul’s Vapurs
With its long and colourful history, its unique geographical position, its collection of characters, cultures, and creeds, Istanbul has no shortage of laudable attributes....
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...
Insider Trading: Terkos Passage
Nestled between two of Istiklal’s more upscale establishments, Terkos Passage is one of Taksim’s finest bargain pazars. It is a place where flawed or...
Six Alternative Valentine’s Events for English Speakers in Istanbul
Valentine's Day in Istanbul isn't necessarily for everyone, but it's got much to offer for those in love and plenty of potential for romantic...
Legends of Turkey: Sarıkız
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl with shiny blonde hair that ran down her shoulders and sweet hazel eyes which sparkled...
Miniatürk – Educational and Fun!
Miniatürk, situated on the North-Eastern shore of the Golden Horn, in a nutshell, is a display of the main monuments of Istanbul and Turkey...
Everything Wrong with the ‘Limon ile Zeytin’ Bus Etiquette Animations
You barely catch the bus. You jump on, and it’s crowded, of course. But you squeeze your way in. Stuck in between strangers invading...
Istanbul: What I Remembered, What I Forgot
Memory is a funny thing. As much as it keeps record of reality, it also creates a reality of its own. As expats, we...
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...
Raquy Danziger: Darbuka Drummer Extraordinaire
A darbuka drum is a Middle Eastern instrument whose structure varies depending on location. They all have a conical shape with a nearly circular...
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...
Top 10 Best Things About Living in Taksim
I lived in Mecidiyeköy for my first few months in Istanbul. That part of town is interesting in its own right, and it was...
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...
The Passages of İstiklal
İstiklal Caddesi is home to many eateries, stores and coffee shops. Although chains such as Shake Shack have been cropping up, the promenade manages...
Istanbul Z
The gas mask is definitely too tight. When the three soldiers fly over Istanbul aboard the camouflage helicopter, the condensation almost stops Cem from...
10 Reasons Why Living in the Deep West Isn’t So Bad
Why make such a list? Because after each two hour journey home from Taksim in the early hours of the morning, I have to...
A Surprising Way to Improve Your Turkish: Bureaucracy
If you want to know how to improve your Turkish, I have one word for you: Bureaucracy. Forget expensive courses and fancy textbooks. Just...
Insider Trading: Arnavutköy Takanik Balık
The Arnavutköy branch of Takanik Balık is modestly tucked away, nearly hidden and a bit further from the water than its larger, grander counterparts in...