Pictures of Istanbul

My dream...

Istanbul (historically Byzantium, or for some stubborn people out Constantinople, than Stambul, and finally Istanbul) is one of the third largest and Europe's most populous city, it is now home for 14 million people and counting...

Because of its long history, the city has a reputation for being an ethnic and a cultural melting pot. Every year millions of people visit the city to get a taste of famous Turkish cuisine, to shop at famous Grand Bazaar or get a glimpse of magnificent Bosporus, or visit one of many museums, ancient churches, towers, castles, bridges connect the two continents and much more. Not so surprising, Istanbul is the world's fifth most popular tourist destination.

Real residents (more than half of the population is migrants from Anatolia), Istanbulies, are very proud of this city and take a full ownership. Me? I grow-up in little town called, Karamursel and always dreamed of living in Istanbul. When I was studying my Bachelors in Izmir, I found myself in Istanbul every other month (thanks to my best friend, Senem, whom always made plans for us). I was amazed by this ancient city, shops, little streets, Bosporus, fancy restaurants and night clubs, its multicultural residents, and of course museums. And after all those years, one day my dream became real. Unfortunately my dream was a short one, but are not all the dreams like that? I know somewhere in the future our path will cross again with Istanbul, and I will continue my dream where I left...

Article about Istanbul

While I was browsing on cnn.com, Ian Watson's farewell article for Istanbul got my attention and loved it. If tou have few minutes please read it.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/21/travel/istanbul-ivan-watson/index.html

Going to a movie

I would never thought million years that going to a movie would be such a joy for me! After taking a year long break, I went to a movie! I can hear all saying "are not there any movie theatres in Nairobi?", "you are just so scared to go to places in Nairobi?"  Well, in that case that may be true. But from my end, going to a movie in Nairobi is a risky thing to do, especially since West Gate Mall attack...So personally I choose not to go any indoor places, if I have to, I go during the non rush hour weekdays. I definitely stay away from public places during the weekends! But that was not the subject:)

So I went to see 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes-3D' this week and was shocked how much the technology improved, I mean I was in awe! Felt like a child who has been given a chocolate:) I found myself comfortably sitting in big chair with my popcorn, on right side my mom was sitting and on the left my brother was sitting, how can it get better than this:) They are so much fun to watch a movie, especially my brother! You cannot guess how many times he watched Star Wars!!!! 

Going to a movie on Fridays after work was our routine with my husband, first dining at our favourite Thai restaurant and than right away to the theatre. Whenever there was a blockbuster movie, we were the first ones to see it! Of course, our routine had a big interruption after Dilara joined us!! Going to a movie became such a luxury! We tried to do rentals, and than torrent but it was not fun anymore...Well it became something impossible to do after my son joined in and there came moving to Nairobi...

So going to a movie was another item in my 'things to do' list. It has a check mark now! And believe me, I do not take for granted simple things anymore...I really appreciate to be able to do simple things more than ever in my life. 

By the way, you gotta see this movie, do not miss it!

Cheers,

Grandparents

Sorry, I could not write lately. I got lots of things to write about.

Last week or so, I have been doing hospital runs, that was on top of my to do list. First thing first, we went to see our pediatrician whom became friend of mine over time. Right after we moved to Istanbul, coincidentally we ended up in her office, and loved her style and communication with my children. Since than no matter where we live my kids go to see her. She knows very well both of my children. My kids give her a hug every time they see her! Such a comfort, less fuss when they have their immunisation! So, they got their weight and height checked, we made sure they are on target with required immunisations. That's a must if you live, especially, in Africa! I try to make sure they get their immunisations here rather than in Kenya. Unfortunately we had a bad experience, so I decided to get it done here. Do not get me wrong, there are good hospitals and doctors over there. But having a quite a few bad experiences myself, I take my precaution. Of course if we have to go to the hospital we do. And my choice is always Nairobi Hospital. Anyways.

This Tuesday we also went to see my grandparents. I love to go to their home with my children and enjoy my grand mom's delicious borek (pastry filled with meat and feta cheese) and have a cup of tea with them. My kids always look forward to seeing them. Even taking to ferry is such an excitement! It is part of our routine! Every time we visit home, following week we all go to Yalova (small seaside city, you can get there either by ferry or car, only 1 hour away.) Ferry is lots of fun, Dilara and Onur love to look at the big ships out of the window while they eat their simit (sesame pastry). My grandparents have been living in Yalova more than 35 years now. Once I step into their apartment, I recall my childhood, how much I enjoyed staying overnight there, she used to make popcorn's for me while we watched soap opera together. Even their bed felt different, still remember how comfy and cosy it was, or the comforter my grand mom had, it was so heavy (we did not have these light weight comforters by than!), it was such a fun to sleep under it:) Feel so blessed to have all these wonderful memories and still be able to visit them every six months. They are both in their mid 80s, God Bless them...

Amusement Park @ Via Port

Shopping @ Viaport, Istanbul

Viaport is one of the biggest outdoor shopping outlet mall not only in Turkey but in Europe as well. It was opened nearly 5 years ago and became one of the popular destination for shoppers! Coincidentally, my parents moved to the same area around the same time it opened, lucky me:).

I remember the first year and thought who would come all the way down here to shop, and wondered who would want to open a store here. Six years ago this area was a suburb, but not anymore! Every time I visit my parents cannot believe my eyes, there are nonstop ongoing developments, road constructions, housing constructions and there are new businesses thata open almost everyday. The area, Kurtkoy, is becoming a technology business hub as well.

Now, Viaport is home for 200+ stores, many restaurants, coffee shops, state of the art movie centre, Crown Plaza Hotel, Kipa mega grocery store, amusement park, playground, little lake, and bowling centre. There is also indoor shopping area offering much more specialised stores, by the way architecture is pretty interesting there is a echo inside and kids loving it:) So, you come here and find all in one place!

Viaport can be accessed via TEM, it is hard to miss it! There is also free shuttle everyday by Kipa mega store, it provides easy and free transportation to Kadikoy, Acibadem and other areas conveniently.

Since it is pretty close to my parent's house, whenever I visit them next they I find myself at Viaport! There are always very competitive deals, any brand you can think of has an outlet store.  If I am not shopping, I just stroll around with my freshly brewed Starbucks Coffee:). It is pretty spacious so never feels over crowded even though weekends and holidays are very busy.

Obviously Istanbul has so much to offer, shopping at an outlet can be at the end of your 'to do list'. But If you are in shopping mood, do not miss Viaport:)

Paradise:)

Popular topic among expats!

Every Holiday season, there is one ever changing topic, 'Holiday, where, when and how long'!
When holiday season approaches, we, expat wives, start to ask each other 'where are you going on a holiday?', 'when are you coming back?' and that question 'where are you staying at?'  We, expats, kind a have no home or lets say we call too many places home where you end with no home!!!

Last week of school, everybody was telling each other, how hard it is to find a place to stay. Is not that funny,we all come from different backgrounds and cultures, but common thing was "staying at parents'"house. I loved it:)

When people ask me, where home is, I pause and think, 'yes, where is home?' ''Is Kenya our home now, how about US, the place we lived 15+yrs, or Turkey? the place where we grow-up (kind a!!)" So each holiday (I call it "vacation") me and my husband look each other and ask ourselves 'where this time?'. US is too far away, Turkey is closer but we have no home to our own, or Kenya but Kenya is not in the list most of the time since we need to take a break, a physical one! So after long discussions, since we went to US during Christmas, we have decided it is Turkey's turn! Next question, which is an important one, 'where are we going to stay at?'. Both of our parents live in Turkey, Istanbul and Bodrum. Unfortunately, being away after so many years it is not easy to stay at parents' house, put aside with two children...Last year, we rented an furnished apartment in Bagdat Street, Asian/Anatolian side in Istanbul. It was very nice, tried to keep the children as much busy as I can! Even our Kenyan helper, Teresia, joined us, which was a lovely experience for her and she loved it! Again, it is not easy to stay at somebody elses' house you do not even know...We made to most of it, and enjoyed it a lot. But this year, we decided to stay at my parents' house for sometime, since my husband would join us later on. I have put my two children to summer camps in here. This past Monday, they both started their camps, and they are loving it! My daughter, Dilara, loves to be around Turkish children. She finds it fun and interesting, learns from them a lot:) Today, she even told me about Turkish pop singer she heard about:) Camps in here are lovely, they have many activities for children both fun and educational. School bus pick them up in the morning and drop them of, from their smiling faces I can tell they are very happy, that's all matters for  me:) And what am I doing when they are at summer school? I have my Turkish tea in thin waist tea glass with my mom, shop and enjoy the warm weather in the pool!

On the other end in Nairobi, my husband told me our compound is so quite, it looks like a deserted place! Even the roads are empty, there is no traffic at all! I told him "not surprised, because expats wives are cleared from the roads!!"

Things to do in Istanbul

This is a huge topic to cover in one blog, so I will write two differrent pieces one from a local perspective other one from a tourist perspective. Not sure where to start from:)

If you plan to visit Istanbul, be prepared to walk a lot, see lots of history, visit tons of museums, shop and dine! If you have time, I definitely recommend you to spend 7 to 10 days, if you can. Than you can really feel and taste this amazing city.

There are many things we as locals love to do, so here is a list for top ten activities from a local eye:)

1- Walk, shop and dine at Bagdat Street. Bagdat Street is the most popular street not only in Istanbul but in whole country. The street itself runs somewhere around 14km from east to west. The unique thing about Bagdat Street it is one-way traffic, avenue like section (5th Avenue version:)). It is also a home to upscale residential area, especially last few years, whole street going theough a manor restoratioan and re-construction. The one way avenue is home to old pane-trees throughout the street, flanked with shopping malls, luxury stores, department stores, restaurants are one and after another offering international to local cuisine. Weekends are pretty crowded. You can reach Bagdat Street via bus or taxis. There is also a sea bus offering service at Kadikoy and Bostanci. If you have children, make sure to take them to 'Goztepe Park', believe me they will love it!  It is one of the biggest playground in Europe, and it is public! There is also a water fountaion in the centre, children run around with their swimwear to refresh during the summer season, there is also a music at the background, this is a MUST!

2-  Cross continents with a Ferry Ride from Asia to Europe: This is a classic, and must do! Just hoop on to a ferry that runs every 30 minutes, from Kadikoy (Asian/Anatolian side) and get Besiktas (Europen Side),with a little fee you get to view amazing Bosporus and two bridges. You also will get a glimpse of Yali's (luxury seaside houses from Ottoman Empire, now they are home of wealthy Turks and foreigners). If you are into tea, you have to have Turkish tea in little thin waist tea glasses while you ride on ferry. Believe me, you gotta love this wonderful and unique experience, and will take tons of pictures:)

3- Breakfast in Bebek: Bebek is one of many popular destination among locals, especially during weekends. All cafes and restaurants are packed with diners throughout the day, who likes to indulge Turkish breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sunday brunch's are the best. My favourite places are Kitchenette, Mangerie (this is a hidden gem only locals know about this place, popular among expats as well, on top of an old building, it has an amazing view, offers organic breakfast), Lucca Bar (very popular among Turkish artists and celebrities), Happily Ever After (another chic bakery/coffee/healthy stop. It is located right across the street from Lucca) and Kırıntı (great location, very popular and great food).

4- Caddebostan Beach: This is a public beach, can easily be accessed via walking from Bagdat Street or you can take a taxi or bus.  It is pretty crowded during the weekend, young hipsters love to hang around at Caddeboastan Beach. Sea side is closed to traffic, so you can enjoy walking with your kids, they can bike or ride their scooters safely. Thee are also quite a few playgrounds for children. There is a well maintained bike and jogging path.  Rental bikes available for a very nominal fee, you can easily locate them along the road. With a glimpse you can see the precious Princess Islands. There are many basketball courts, little coffees and tea gardens along the seaside.
If you want to dine in a nice restaurant, gotta go 'Zanzi Bar', best food and service. It is located in Caddebostan, just ask around they will show you where it is:)

5- Princes Islands: There are total of nine islands in Marmara Sea, but four of them can easily be accessed via Istanbul. You wonder where the name comes from right? During the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, prices and other royalty who were seen as challengers were exiled in the islands, so they are given the name 'Prices Islands'. These days, islands are very popular among locals as well as tourists. Islands are home for wealthy Turks, who owns summer house in there. All islands offer unique experience with local cuisine, monasteries, coffees, beaches and historical sites.

Biggest island is named 'Buyuk Ada (large island), it is also the furthest one from the city. Unique thing about these islands, all the motorised vehicles/transportation's are prohibited except for emergency. Famous and well respected Ayia Yorgi Church and monastery also located in Big Island. There are many restaurants, public and private beaches located in the island, they are pretty crowded during the weekends.
Hebeliada is the second largest island, is also home to Greek Orthodox monastery from 11th century
and Turkish Naval Academy. Last remaining Byzantine church, Kamariotissa, is also located in Heybeliada.
Burgaz Ada is the third largest island, is much smaller and less popular among locals, but probably it is quieter to enjoy. Among few restaurants and beaches, there is also a monastery.
All islands can be accessed via publicly or privately run sea transportation.

Nairobi to Istanbul

I love Istanbul, not because it is my home city, (sort of), but also it is very live, modern but at the same time very exotic, fascinating, and there is amazing Bosporus that connects two continents, shopping and yes the food!

With only 6 hrs of fly you step into a totally new world, what a big difference, imagine from Nairobi to Istanbul! On one side very quiet, serene and kind an isolated life and on the other side highly crowded, noisy and never asleep city for 15 million! To be honest I am an urban person who enjoys a city life, if given chance I would do so many without a sleep:) So, living in Nairobi gave me an opportunity just to be by myself, learned to be alone and do lots of self discoveries. I think living in a busy city we take so many things for granted, forget who we are and what our priorities are. We just find ourselves in this big wheel that never stops...

Every time I come to Istanbul, have a long list to do, things to see, restaurants to go, shows to watch and many more. Things that I have never gotten a chance to do, or opted not to do when I was living here. Now, crowd does not bother me like it used to, (actually I kinda like it:)), even traffic! I love seeing so many people on the streets whom walk leisurely, love seeing people who enjoy cup of Turkish tea in tea gardens, when I go to seashore feel so free, or when we use Bosporus Bridge I love watching big ships and little ferries.

I feel very fortunate to get to taste this two opposite life styles, and be able to get the best of the them. It has never been easy. It is a great journey with lots of bumps on the road, but is not that what gives life a meaning? Or would you rather have a life that everything offered to you in a tray?

Such a big change in me, to be more patient and accept things the way they are, and yes tolerance...

Turbulence!

We have safely arrived Istanbul Friday morning. But let me tell you, it was one of the longest flight I have had so far!! Not because it is 6hrs of direct flight, which is great, (comparing with other flights I had to take when we were living in US, this is nothing), except that if you are sick! Is not it perfect timing, being sick right before a long plane trip with two children! I had this horrible cold, lost my voice, and on top of that horrible sinus headache! Whoever had sinus problem knows what I am talking about! I was on ibuprofen throughout the flight, taking cough tablets, and holding my sneeze as much as I can!!! Really,  I hate the idea of sitting in a plane and there are people sneeze or cough around! Here is 'another example of 'talking big'! So I was one of these people, who had a cold and cough!!

There was a terrible turbulence during the flight, Thanks God my kids were sleeping! I would never want them to see me like that! Here is a confession, I am never fan of flying! It really makes me nervous, I cannot help it! There were non stop turbulence throughout the flight, I could not even watch a movie, I just sat there frozen! Besides we had a terrible landing. At one point during that 10 seconds I thought 'Is this it?' How can a plane shakes and tumbles like that, from left to right! My children thought they were on a roller coaster! They loved it! Sometimes how much I wish to be a child too...

After we stepped outside of our plane, I almost kissed the ground! Took a deep breath and got on to our shuttle and had a big smile after I saw 'Welcome to Istanbul' sign:)

Time to pack!

Time to pack! Every six months it is my routine to take luggage's out. As much as I love traveling, preparing a luggage is no fun! One of them is full with Masai Market items!

 By the way last couple of years our luggage quantity keeps increasing. I used to be so called a 'light traveler'. But not anymore!!!! With two children in row, it is impossible! Last time we travelled in December, we had total of 8 luggage's (may sound like a huge number, but since I do not shop in Nairobi, my shopping spree starts right away, cannot loose any time! So whatever I buy, it is to be used at least 6 months to a year.  Do not I always find excuses??)

I also noticed my children are in growth spurt none stop! Ever time I go for shopping I tell myself, 'ok this pair of shoes should be good for a year now', but nope! In 6 months we pass them on to other people!

So this time I promised myself to have as few luggage as possible! Just closed the fourth one! But have to admit, one of them has another smaller one inside, I have to plan myself in case we cannot fit in 4 on the way back! It is much better than buying a luggage at last minute, that I also have done in the past! So lots of experience in this department!

Two years ago, we were at the airport in Istanbul coming back to Nairobi and Turkish Airlines controller decided to check the weight of our luggage's! I tried to stop him, at one point I was even very charming, but did not work! Total of our two luggage's were 25kgs over the limit!! There I became as red as an apple! To this day, I still cannot forget my husband's face! He just stood there and stared at me! We got two choices, either we were going to pay 400€, or we had to split the extra weight evenly! I saw people doing this before, and kinda laughed at them in the past! This is what happens when you talk big!!! There I was on the floor, trying to figure out what goes where! And my husband did not even move his finger while I was juggling! I am not gonna even mention what was inside the bags!! (you would be surprised what I bring from home, but nothing illegal at least:)

So let's see what's gonna happen this time!

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