Istanbul

Happy Halloween from Istanbul!

Even though we’ve spent over a week in Istanbul, it feels like we’ve barely scratched the surface. The city is huge, diverse and very hip. Emily, my childhood friend, joined us for Turkey.

The food has been exceptional. Candied green eggplant? Yes, please. Roasted Tahini butter? It holds the same place in my heart as peanut butter. Lentil soup? All day, every day. Kebabs with pickles and fries? Chris was surprised I ate the bulk of it. Shoutout to my colleague Ayca for the recommendations!

Of all the touristy things we’ve done, the cistern was my favorite. The lighting and art installations highlighted the cistern’s magnificence. The sunsets were spectacular too.

Last week we spent a couple days in Selcuk to visit the ancient city of Ephesus. The people we met in Selcuk were very welcoming and hospitable. The strong sense of community radiated. Neighbors gathered for breakfast, brought one another morning and even stepped in to help take orders or run food if needed. Seeing the community come together to get through these difficult times was inspiring and a beacon of hope.

One fun surprise was Republic Day. We were unaware of this national holiday when planned our time in Turkey. The flag and banners of Ataturk were everywhere. We watched fireworks on the Bosporus from a rooftop bar and a performance by Murat Boz, Turkish superstar, in Taksim square. It was super fun to watch the festivities.

We’re here for a few more days before departing to Rome. Tomorrow we tackle the big sites including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazar. Fingers crossed for short lines and no crowds.