In my run around for the Schengen, I feel Turkey got cheated out of a proper goodbye and a grateful one at that. Living and working in Istanbul was everything and more than I had expected. It’s one of those experiences that you keep slightly hidden at the back of your cupboard with your best bottle of scotch and bring it out only on rare … Continue reading Teşekkürler, Turkey
One of my absolute favorite qaawalis is Khawaja Mere Khawaja composed by AR Rahman. It’s one of those songs I listen to every time I falter. The song was picturised in a bollywood movie, Jodhaa Akbar. You could put it down to acting but it was one of those pieces that bollywood got just right. And thus began my fascination with the whirling dervishes and … Continue reading Sema in Konya
If you’ve grown up reading Enid Blyton, then you know what a gnome is. Moreover you’d also know what pixies are, where the Enchanted Forest is and when to watch out for Dame Washlot’s tub water. Göreme in Cappodacia looks like a land that might have stopped on top of the Faraway Tree for a week and its one of those absolutely wonderful lands that everybody … Continue reading In Gnome Land – Göreme, Cappadocia
Sometimes when you really really look forward to visiting some place, you tend to expect much more from the place than what it really is. That’s what happened at Pamukkale. Ever since I have come to Turkey, all I could think of was visiting Pamukkale so imagine my disappointment when I get off the bus and see this side of a hill (not a mountain) … Continue reading Pamukkale at the Right Time
I didn’t realize what a madhouse Istanbul was til I got off the shuttle bus in Selcuk and walked for about for 5 minutes trying to orient myself. I thought I was fuzzy from the nap on the bus. I crossed street to the bus station and thought it must be quiet because it was Friday. It took me a few hours to realize that … Continue reading Aegean Turkey: The Ancient City of Ephesus
I have been spending my days off for the past couple of weeks in Sultanahmet and its surrounds which is the older part of the Istanbul city. Aya Sofia The Aya Sofia used to be a beautiful Basilica church that was converted and reconverted over time. I can’t believe that restoration works to this place only began in 1997. How could you as a nation be … Continue reading Old Istanbul
Merhaba from Istanbul! Because the last 4 days (only 4!) has been a whirlwind, it is impossible to write about the range of feelings and things that have happened. I believe once I have settled in – I will be able to deconstruct it all piece by piece. In tiny snippets, Istanbul so far – My apartment is not ready. Move aside fellow Fijians, the … Continue reading Merhaba Istanbul!
Where is Shyamni? 