Seven Challenges for 2020
New years are always a good time to forget the past and start with something new, like pursuing goals and adopting changes. As my...
Interesting Names, Great Taste: Turkish Dishes to Cook During Ramadan
For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major factor shaping our lives. This year again, the holy month of Ramadan began...
Fairy Tales of Turkish Names: Common Names & Their Meanings
Many believe that the choice of a child's name has an impact on the child's personality and perceptions of attitudes towards them in the...
Insider Trading: Pizano Pizzeria
When you think of the food options in Ortaköy, a few key staples come to mind. Most famously, you can get a kumpir the size of...
3, 2, 1, Let’s Run Istanbul!
I am one of those people who never liked running. When I was younger I hated even the thought of it. After I moved to...
10 podcasts to help you beat the Istanbul commute
If you’re anything like me, or the average Istanbul resident, you probably spend a larger percentage of your life commuting than you’d like to...
Turkish 101: Four Idioms You Need to Know
If you have been living in Turkey long enough, surely you speak enough survival Turkish to get by in everyday life. However, every now...
Why Turkey? – Reflections on a Former Life in Istanbul
“Where are you from?” “How long have you lived here?” “Where do you work?” “How much do you make?!” and, of course, “Why Turkey?”...
Yabangeese: The Lexicon of the Yabangees
I guess it comes with the territory of being an English teacher abroad, but it is always fascinating to me to watch how language...
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...
I Wake Up Torn
“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in...
CRR’s New Season in Full Swing
Cemal Reşit Rey launched the 2019-2020 season on Wednesday October 9th with the CRR Symphony Orchestra and Choir performing all-time favorite arias and lieds....
(Sep 2 – 14) 27th Istanbul Jazz Festival from IKSV
From the organizer:
Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by Garanti BBVA for 23 years with the support of...
University Guide: Sabancı University
Sabancı University is a private institution founded in 1994 with a focus on education, research and design. The university is known for its...
Remembering Prince: A Purple Paisley Park in My Heart
'The girl on the seesaw is laughing
For love is the color this place imparts...
Admission is easy, just say you believe
And come to this place...
Finding and Tasting Turkey’s Microbrews: Gara Guzu and Pera
Beer in Istanbul is a touchy subject for a lot of expats, who generally fall into a few camps when it comes to preference....
Guide to Registering Utilities in Istanbul
So you’ve found somewhere to live in the urban jungle of Istanbul – congratulations! Opening utility accounts is not that difficult but can be...
Friendly Speed Dating: Finding Human Connection in Monthly Events
From the organizer:
We created Friendly Speed Dating because we believe in the power of human connection. We understand that dating can be difficult and...
Learn Turkish in Your Comfort Zone with Turkish Academy
If you are an expat living in Türkiye, a language enthusiast watching every single Turkish drama, or a university student researching about Turkish history,...
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...
Top 5 Turkish Design Gems
Home of the Design Biennial and a (gradually) increasing number of design and architectural gems, Turkey is finally becoming a name on the design...
Hunting for Records in Istanbul, Part 1: Beyoğlu
For many commentators, the digital music revolution catalysed by iTunes over a decade ago signaled the end of all physical formats of music. With...
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...
Istanbul to Sofia Train Ride: Cigarette Smuggling and Bribery on the...
You can read Part 1 here.
It was around three or four in the morning before we reached the border, where all the fun began....