Istanbul

And yes that is a cart with fresh parsley in it...want some?!

Years ago I wrote posts about my beloved and favorite city Istanbul. Without fully looking at them or editing them I chose to share those two posts with you. Reason is I am still in Istanbul enjoying a fabulous longer weekend celebrating my cousin's most precious day. Also, my soul is probably healing better and easier. Plus, I hope you had a great weekend celebrating the 4th of July...that is if you are in the US or in general celebrating. So I wasn't planning on going online often or writing much.

If you know me you know how I feel about Istanbul. This city is awesome, very different from what you would think or assume, and holds a very special place in my heart. Unfortunately, this trip is bittersweet to me. Mom is no longer with me and I would have loved to do this trip with her, but I know she is here with me in spirit. We will honor her and her own unique love for Istanbul as well.

So without further ado...here are a few posts I wrote about Istanbul...oldies {you will see my poor picture choosing qualities...but hey, it is fun to look back at those. That is also why I chose those old ones and chose not to edit a thing}.

My way of looking at it 

My other way of looking at it

Another lovely post about Istanbul

And yet another one {last one I promise}

Why Ashley hates me

Enjoy reading it all...I will be back with photos or updates in general. I have to get back into this regular life of mine. People change once they lose someone or experience a loss but I know that this is okay. I am accepting this change and change is good. Change is always good!!!

Miss you all.

xoxo

Travel Update

 Most of you don't know this but I am in Istanbul right now. My cousin is getting married here and it will be quite a party. Also, our entire family will come together and this hasn't happened in over 15 years. At first I was a bit hesitant. I wanted to go but at the same time didn't. My uncle convinced me otherwise. Also, what better way to start a new chapter in your life after a loved one has passed than to celebrate love and see your family again?! Exactly. I can't stay under my blanket every day. I gotta move on. I gotta celebrate life and its beauty and love. So, here I am. In Istanbul.

While I am trying to acclimate and get used to a new langauge once again {my brain still functions in English most of the days} I thought I'd send you back to some fun blog posts of mine talking about my love for this beautiful city by the Bosphorus. Have fun reading what I had to say a couple of years back, you won't regret it.

Istanbul Update #1 

and if you are not ready to wait for another post...how about my next update:

Istanbul Update #2

Aren't you jealous?! 

Miss you all.

xoxo

Be Kind To One Another

I'm in awe what this community did for one man. This may be an add by Samsung but its meaning is fabulous. Plus, I loved the fact that it was shot in Istanbul {my second hometown, where my mom grew up} and I can hear bits and pieces of Turkish. Fun.

If you don't know the story...well, a few people learned sign language to be able to communicate with one specific guy. As this guy walks around town with his sister he comes across people who out of nowhere "talk" to him; as if it is the most normal thing ever. He is part of that community, that town, so since he can't hear and therefore communicate with anyone {unlike us} he was positively shocked and felt blessed to see that there are people out there that want to be part of his {quiet} life.

Just watch it yourself...I just loved the idea.

As Ellen always says... be kind to one another! ;)

Istanbul Recap #4

This is my last recap of lovely and fascinating Istanbul, the city that lies on two continents. There are moments that I don't even realize how lucky I am having spent time there or just having the opportunity to call that city home as well. It's so surreal at times. I enjoyed my time in Istanbul this summer, and as I am happily back in Central Europe I'm also looking forward to California again. Can you keep you at all?!

So, while I am wrapping up my summer break and start to pack for my return to California here's a few last photos that sum up my trip to Istanbul. With its ongoing struggle and protests (what is up with all those protests anyways this summer?!), it is still my favorite place to be.

I am never a tourist in this city and yet I discover new places and cafes each time I visit. Walking through the bazaar felt incredibly funny. Last time I did that was maybe ten years ago?! I don't even remember. Seeing all those gold and silver jewelry available to buy made me feel like a kid again that is looking at all the Christmas lights sparkling and glowing in the dark. Well, no need to be a kid I still jump up and down when it's Christmas time. But I digress. The above photos are all mine. It cannot get more random. My favorite? The cat, no doubt.

Below you see a random collection of photos that were available on the world wide web for everyone to see. I experienced a few of these scenarios too. I'm both, proud and disgusted. From thousands to millions trying to walk on the freeways at night to cross the bridge (which then got closed), to police forcefully entering a hotel that helped the injured and the tired, to random people standing in the middle of a sidewalk protesting in silence. This pretty much sums my Istanbul experience up.

It was one of the best experiences I had in Istanbul. I'm by no means pro protests and fighting but when it is time to say something and to change something or to hinder something bad to happen for a country that has worked hard to becoming what it is today then I am very much pro protesting and standing up for what one thinks is right. Just in the most friendly ways of course. Even though not much has been discussed in the news about the protests lately, don't be fooled. They are still going on.

To wrap my recap sessions up, here's a collage I just adore. This woman in black has become one of the ultimate symbols of the protests in Istanbul and all over Turkey. She just stood, and the police decided to start the water. If you go against someone friendly who just stands around then let me welcome you with open arms! It may look like nothing but we only see these photos. The ones that followed these are worse, and really, do we wanna see them?

Read also:
Istanbul Recap # 1
Istanbul Recap # 1.5
Istanbul Recap # 2
Istanbul Recap # 3

We should not forget Egypt, Syria, Brazil, and every other country fighting for democracy, for order, for a better living, and for peace. And yes, let's not forget what injustice has been changing our gigantic country as well. Gosh, why?! What is up with all these protests.

xoxo

Istanbul Recap #3 - more pictures

I promised you more photos and I'm delivering more. ;) 

My love for Istanbul or Turkey in general cannot be summed up with words or photos but it's a start. I have to admit I have a love-hate relationship with that place. On one hand, I hate it because it's dirty, loud, full of stray animals, has beggars, too big (hello 20 million people!!??? in one city!), but on the other hand it's more than just phenomenal because it's dirty, loud, full of stray animals, has beggars and is too big. The fact that poor and rich live next doors or that the veiled and the sexy-elegant dressed women walk next to one another is another fabulous vision I long for when I think of Istanbul. It's all that and much more. I can't wait to go back again.

But let's not write more...let's look at photos...shall we?

This little kitty is ours. Well, not really. She once belonged to a neighbor living one floor below us and when he left he left the cat behind. Another neighbor took her in, and they happen to live right next to us. So she's almost ours. ;) She's fat and who knows how old and only loves me and my cousin. She can't stand my mom or aunt. We call her PasPas because she's so huge and chubby...and PasPas means door mat. :( I know, we aren't nice when it comes to giving names.

 




Well, ladies, you walk into my picture taking then you end up on my blog. Whoever you are, know you aren't exactly loved by me but I tolerate you as you should tolerate me when we both walk down the street. Don't give me the stinky eye. If you do you get a nastier one back. Just saying. All happened, I'm not making it up.

Istanbul, as every year in June, had its Shopping Festival going. Lots and lots of stuff for sale...and lots of stuff to choose from. I was in heaven. So, this Hello Kitty "bag" is promoting it and at the same time telling everyone that there's a Hello Kitty restaurant/cafe and shop further down the street. Nice.

My drinks...what can I say?! I am after all Turkish.

I never said no. And the new alcohol law in shops and restaurants was, well, not acknowledged.

 Randomness. A lamb ready to be sacrificed and a random blue building. 

he European side and it's tourist buses, some traffic, and a view you hardly ever get to see with your own eyes. I had to take this shot. The Galata Tower can be seen in the back - another one of those famous sights of Istanbul.

I posted this on facebook saying I wanted those pants. I still do. I was just in awe with her outfit. Not only is it cute, it's fabulous and wrong on so many levels at once. It looks like pj pants and maybe it is, but she's wearing it so elegantly it's freaking me out. Plus, I have the same shoes (and hello...they are comfy and very much en vogue in Turkey - I had to buy a pair and I don't regret it at all). and want her bag. Ha! The cigarette in her right hand adds some character too. I just love it. Fashion hunts on one of the most expensive shopping streets in Turkey/Istanbul/''Europe'' was so much fun.

I'm gonna leave you at this for right now and wish you a great weekend.
One more photo update follows soon :)

xoxo

Also: Istanbul Recap #1, Istanbul Reccap #1.5, Istanbul Recap #2

Istanbul Recap #2 - the picture version

 

Are you ready for some Istanbul photos? I'm sure you are.
I am too. It's so much more interesting than the political issues. Politics are never fun. They are part of a country and culture though and shouldn't be ignored. Though, really, who doesn't like fun photos. So, without further ado, here's a few images summing up my time in Istanbul. Enjoy.

My love for old houses is more than just immense. I absorb everything when I'm near them. It fascinates and angers me at the same time that some houses are basically left untouched and in ruins. 

The first house here has been renovated for the past almost twenty years, or the whole documentation and law-issue took that long. Last year I think they started rebuilding it. It was a wreck. Today it is almost done. I walked through, and I'm more than just impressed. Unfortunately, if you want to live in it you gotta pay a lot of rent. Yes, I said rent. It's not for sale.

The second house is so huge and I'm sure I've posted a picture in an older post years ago. There's still people living in there, or at least working. If I had the money, I'd buy it and restore it to its old beauty.

Turkish coffee. What can I say, I drank it every day around noon (with or without the Turkish Delight or water). It was my pick-me-up time before lunch which was usually around 2.30pm. 

DoDo Cafe has always been my favorite breakfast stop. If you ever happen to be in Istanbul, and on the Asian side, do not ever forget to go there. It's a spot locals go to and for years (and I mean that literally) it's been my family's spot. It's a simple cafe but offers complimentary tea and bread when you order breakfast. I often ate Sucuk (a spicy sausage), feta cheese, yogurt, black olives, cucumbers and tomatoes, and aged Kasar cheese (most eat the fresh one but that's just gross, unless you put it in a ham/cheese sandwich). I did the unspeakable and also ate bread and suffered later. However, I like my Turkish bread...give me a break. ;)

When I didn't go to DoDo Cafe I went to a close-by tea place, had tea and cheese with Simit (the so-called Turkish Bagel - whoever came up with this description? - and yes I know it's bread, slap me, I couldn't resist). Tea and Simit, and the whole silhouette of the city in front of me - yes please!

Turkey is a tea culture country. You drink tea pretty much all day long for a quick break, preferably in between meals or after a meal. I saw one couple drinking it during a meal and knew instantly they weren't Turkish (and yes, I heard them speak and they were from Germany).

Stray dogs as well as cats were no exception where we lived. Istanbul is full of them, always has been. For the past few years though stray dogs have become a little bit of a problem. They have increased in numbers (not by birth, but by people simply putting their dogs out as in letting them go off and not accepting them back into their old domesticated "human"world). Even though they were all taken in and chipped, no one wants them or puts them in animal shelters. Plus, no one technically picks up after them. Enough said. 

A stray cat chilling on a random car's roof. I saw her every day. Or was it a he? Oops.

As you are all well aware of the protests and demonstrations that went on even while I was there, the standing man I mentioned in my previous post influenced people of all ages and class to follow suit. While walking to the boat one day I caught these three doing it and soon after many more joined them. Guess what I did after I took this exact photo?

pink pants c/o Koton, heart blouse c/o Yargici, sandals Birkenstock

And this was one of my favorite and most comfy outfits I wore one night for dinner.

Pink pants apparently are super in. But these sandals are the hit in Istanbul. I used to wear these years ago, when I wore them as house slippers or in school when we had to wear a different "school pair" during school hours. 

Seeing them on every third woman in Istanbul surprised me. I thought at first it was weird but realized that they in fact look stylish and go with pants, jeans, dresses and skirts alike. They are also more than just comfortable and not as bad looking as I remember them. Plus, they don't make the annoying flip flop sound. I can't stand that sound anymore. Plus, they are healthy for your feet and posture. ;) Win, win!!!

Would you were these? 

I didn't want to.
Now I can't stop wearing them.

Stay tuned...more photos to follow... 

xoxo

{all photos are mine and if you ever use them, please link back and let me know. thank you.}

Also: Istanbul Recap #1 and Istanbul Recap #1.5

Istanbul Recap # 1.5

via facebook, twitter and the world wide web

This picture has become symbolic to the Turkish protests. There's also the standing man, the girl in the red dress, the naked man (yes, he was naked), the people with gas masks and construction helmets, the ones with their hands open begging and asking...you name it.

Just a few days ago I watched a talk show/documentary on television about the recent drama in Istanbul and other Turkish cities. Also, people were talking about it in other countries as well, so it has not only become a Turkish "issue" it has become a global one. Anyhow, the main discussion in that talk show/documentary was whether or not the protesters do the right thing or not. Opinions differ. Some believe no, these protests are ridiculous and need to stop right now. That the protesters need to be punished immediately (mostly with imprisonment), and that things should go back to normal. On the other hand, the other side strongly argues that the protesters are right and that it has nothing to do with ridiculousness. That it is not just a few hundred unemployed people trying to pick a fight or show off but that indeed old, young, highly educated and cultured are actually protesting too and that needs to be listened to and looked at. Plus, when authorities waltz in and shoot at you while you are happily dancing and standing, how would most people react?

Now, let me tell you one thing.
I am with the second group.
Did I protest, too? 

YES.
On my own terms.

Don't freak out. Protest can be friendly and can be done in all kinds of ways.
I ignored all stores and shops and restaurants that are indeed working for the side I am not favoring.
I was standing silent for a long time. I faced Atatürk as well.
I showed solidarity while walking home for two full hours at night because the streets were packed and I could not imagine me sitting in a taxi being stuck in traffic, and paying. I video-taped it all.

I showed solidarity by going out and making noise at nine each night.
I supported my friends, my neighbors, the unfamiliar faces I saw each and every day as well as night.

AND, I drank my alcohol even after 10pm. In a restaurant. After the new law was established.

***

These flowers were to remember the hurt as well as lost people in the past three weeks. Unfortunately, while people tried to enjoy silence and remember everything the police marched in again. And they weren't friendly. This picture was taken very early in the morning.

***

I listened to people.

I heard their stories.

I learned from them how to build your own gas mask because stores ran out.

I learned from them how to create liquid solutions to heal the skin and eyes from different gases.

I learned how to protect oneself from getting beating and from having your own bones broken.
I learned how to get rid of that nasty blue color they sprayed on you so they'd have it easier to find you the next day and "punish" you after. 

I learned that you cannot trust anyone.
I know people who are scared to go home because they live on the first or second floor of a building close to where everything is (still) happening.

I know people who are scared to leave the apartment.

I know that hotels, restaurants and stores opened their doors to take in the wounded.

I know that those hotels, restaurants and stores have now thousands if not millions of dollars to rebuild their properties.

I also know that certain management in certain stores closed their doors and ignored the wounded.

I also know these stores/companies aren't to blame because really, if management says no because its too overwhelmed with this unknown situation so be it.

I also know that all this needs to stop.
But, I know that we all need to listen to one another.
It is not the unemployed, bored people that went out and protested.
It is the educated, cultured, open-minded people of Turkey who decided to fight back.

They are standing up and saying no to violence, no to unfair treatment, no to torture, no to laws that make no sense, no to abrupt changes without prior notice, no to a narrow-minded vision of what is right or wrong, no to a religious state, and no to unhappiness.

Would you like to have your doctor arrested for helping you out?
I don't think so.

Read also: Recap #1

Istanbul Recap #1

Disclaimer

This recap is a slightly different version from what you would expect. I would love for you to read what I have to say and how I feel, but if you don't feel like reading I understand. 

I also mention no names, except for Atatürk, and I do not link back to anyone or any place I got the photos from and simply cite them as twitter, facebook, and the world wide web. I have my reasons.

Most of you know that I go to Istanbul pretty much once a year. That is if I can. It's become a routine since I turned two. So, yes, it's technically something I have done all my life. It's part of who I am. So, whenever I land and walk out of the airport I feel at home. Then again, we know that home has many meanings to me. This year however, I was filled with mixed emotions going to Istanbul. I did not know what to except other than possible chaos and unhappiness. If you watched the news, or read my twitter feeds or even are friends with me on facebook, or yes, even read a few posts from me, you know what has been going on. Or you just have a slight idea.

photo taken by me while I was watching live what was going on

You can see the reporter wearing a gas mask telling us what he experiences.
While I was taking this photo, and watching it away from all the craziness I also got constant updates from friends saying where they were and that they were safe and unharmed. Their photos and comments were astounding. And a few minutes after that we all experienced the worst outburst ever with fire bombs and what not. My FB kind of marked this event with an f-bomb. And I never use the f-word online, but it was worth it.
Needless to say, I lost my appetite that evening.

***

I won't go into too much details because certain things should not be mentioned on here or anywhere else. It's not that I don't want to it's because I cannot or should not. I will keep it neutral and keep it at a level that should be acceptable and tolerable by everyone. What I learned and experienced on my own while in my favorite city is indescribable. Not only was it slightly *but not too* chaotic, it was patriotic like no other. Turkish people are known to be patriots, and they are good at this. But this time, they are even better at this than before. 

For the first time in years (pretty much since the late 1990s) Turkish people are standing up for their rights. They are fed up with what has been going on and how they are treated. They don't want to be ruled by someone who wants to rule only on his behalf. They want to have a say in whatever is happening in their country especially because Turkey is a democratic country. The democratic rules so to speak were broken and now time has come to say NO. 

{courtesy of facebook, twitter and the world wide web}

The hashtag "duran adam" means standing man. It has become one of many symbols in Turkey now. One man stood one night for about eight hours straight in protest and faced the Atatürk Cultural Center; Atatürk being the founder of modern Turkey. With his action he inspired many more to do the same, every day, at any place. 

(MORE CAN BE READ HERE)

***

It took the Turkish people a long time to stand up for their own rights. The time for change has come. The time to find a way out of this religious thinking has arrived. Don't get me wrong, if you are religious it's fine, but don't mix it up with politics. That's not the way. The founder of Turkey and man everyone looks up to in Turkey (even after his death in 1938), Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, would be appalled to see his beloved country in this mess. He'd be appalled to see that his name is being used to defend someone's actions and demands. What Atatürk created and what he wanted and dreamed of has become reality. Turkey is modern, non-religiously ruled, and shares its love and history with the world. His words however, have now been twisted around and used to guide this country into a direction no one wants to go but one person. So, for the first time, this so-called democratic country is fed up, and says finally NO.

I witnessed it in Istanbul only, but other major cities are protesting too.

{courtesy of twitter, facebook and the world wide web}

Excuse the bad quality but this is the main square most people heard of: Taksim.
To me it simply makes sense and I know what buildings and streets I'm looking at.

It's simply insane. Look at the crowds!

***

Personally I am against violence, protests, demonstrations and what not. Yet, I feel for Turkey and for its people. Quiet frankly I am one of its people too. So this topic hits home for me. I have not met one person that is against what is going on in Turkey at the moment. I know why Turkish people are protesting, and I salute them. 

Protests can have many forms. The best ones are the friendly ones, just as they should be. And this is also how it all started in Istanbul: Friendly. 

Singing, dancing, eating sandwiches, and listening to music while sitting around holding signs is one way to protests. It's friendly, it's quiet, and it's normal. Just the way we all want it. But...

What if then armed forces rush in for no reason and spray people with pepper spray, 

tear gas, and heavy water (later filled with blue and red color so you can be identified and taken in later on) ??? 

What if those armed forces rush in to beat the hell out of you for sitting down and eating?
What if those forces waltz in and ruin your happiness even more?
What if they don't care whether you are young, old, educated, in a wheelchair or already on the ground in pain?

What if your beliefs and your ideas are not taken into consideration? 

Your words, your clothing, your look, and even your breath have no meaning anymore? 

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk would be appalled and in disbelief. 90 years after the founding of the Turkish Republic, after much work that this country would look and act more modern and build itself up to become what it somewhat has become until today...after 90 years, someone wants to destroy it and doesn't want to acknowledge it. Fingers are pointed, names are called, social media is blamed, words are spoken and unfortunate actions are taken to handle the "bad people who act violently". Those "bastards" and "stupid, uneducated misfits are ruining our country" is what the news tells every day. And really, I quoted it because first, it's not true, and second, don't believe the news. Ever. Again! 

{via}

Yes, Atatürk. It is a shame. We know that. Let us fix this somehow. And soon.

A website I recommend you read and look at if you are interested more but have hardly time to read.