Skip to main content

Turkish Delights

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

My winter journey through Turkey was lovely, even though I was battling a nasty cold the entire time. But, when you’re exploring a country as rich in history, culture, and cuisine as Turkey, a little sickness can’t get in the way of the adventure.

I arrived in Istanbul on a chilly evening, my first view of the Bosphorus River and its famous bridge lit up against the dark skies. The sight was beautiful, and I wasted no time indulging in a local favorite, recommended by my taxi driver—kumpir, a huge baked potato loaded with toppings. 

The next morning, I set out to explore the surrounding area - Ortakoy - before heading to a friend’s wedding. The city quickly spiked my curiosity, with its old streets and numerous food and shopping stalls.

For the next few days, I stayed in Istanbul’s historic district - Sultanahmet - soaking up the sights. I wandered through the cobblestone streets, visiting the iconic Blue Mosque and the majestic Hagia Sophia. I also spent some time at the Grand Bazaar, lost among the colorful stalls of spices, textiles, and jewelry.

 

One of my most memorable experiences over the next few days was walking down Istiklal Street, the bustling heart of modern Istanbul. The energy of the crowd, mixed with the winter chill, was invigorating. From there, I made my way to the Galata Tower to get a glimpse of the famous San Sebastián cheesecake.

After a few days on the European side of Istanbul, I ventured to the Asian side for a night, then flew to Cappadocia early the next morning, hoping to see the breathtaking hot air balloons drifting over the fairy-tale landscape. Sadly, the weather didn’t cooperate, and the balloons were grounded. But Cappadocia’s charm wasn’t lost on me. I explored the fascinating underground cities and hiked to a few Sunrise and Sunset Points, where I took in the views of the little town of Goreme from up above. The fairy chimneys, with their unique formations, were surreal, and I couldn’t resist snapping photos of the quirky teddy bears that adorn at one of the viewpoints.

The final 24 hours were spent back on Istiklal Street, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere one last time before I flew back home.

Despite the cold and illness that hung over me, I left with a heart full of memories, incredible food in my belly, and another country checked off my bucket list.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Living Outside The Box

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I believe I’m on the path I’m meant to be." As we get older, it’s easy to get trapped in society’s idea of what life "should" look like. By the time we hit 40, there’s a well-defined picture of success: owning a home, starting a family, climbing the career ladder. But as I approach this milestone, I’m choosing to remind myself that true happiness isn’t found in checking off someone else’s list. It’s found in stepping outside the box, embracing the unexpected, and allowing life to unfold in its own unique way. Sure, my path hasn’t always been conventional, and I’ve often found myself comparing my journey to others, wondering why I’m not where they are. But when I take a step back and reflect, I see how much I’ve gained by stepping off the well-worn road. Life may not have gone according to plan, but I’m proud of the unexpected milestones I’ve reached along the way. I’ve traveled to over 40 countries, lived in three (ye...

Mirror, Mirror

  “I could try to be just like you, but I wanna be like me - the girl in the mirror.” Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and thought “YIKES!”? Of course you have! We all have! We can all get a little self-critical from time to time, can’t we? I’ll be honest, I don’t often love seeing pictures of myself, especially those really close up, like selfies. Every image seems to amplify my insecurities and highlight “ flaws ” that I wish would disappear. I’m a pretty simple girl—no make-up, no heels, just me as I am, and I find that the world often holds up a different standard of beauty for females, one that's heavily curated and polished. My negative thoughts can weigh heavily at times, and social media ( with all its’ filters ) only magnifies those feelings of self-doubt. Over the last year, I’ve taken a number of selfies or mirror pictures. Some were taken to capture moments during my solo trips, some were taken to track physical changes influenced by diet, training and r...

Fly Away

  “Until you spread your wings, you’ll never know how far you can fly.” For as long as I can remember, there has been a relentless pull within me; a desire to fly away, to explore beyond the boundaries of familiarity, and to immerse myself in the cultural richness of our world. It all started over 15 years ago with a pivotal moment: my first international trip to the Dominican Republic for humanitarian purposes. Little did I know then that this remarkable trip ( *along with teaching in a challenging multicultural school ) would set the stage for a life defined by adventure, discovery, and personal growth. Since that transformative experience, my life has been a whirlwind of movement and exploration. I've been blessed with the opportunity to experience living and working abroad, both in the UAE and in Vietnam, and along the way, I've had the privilege to traverse more than 40 countries, each offering its own unique blend of culture, history, landscape and perspective. Looking ...