Grounded in Istanbul

Turkey. 
Istanbul. 
Why Istanbul? 
Why not?

I travel with a folding map of the world and a package of poster putty. Every time I hang the map in a new accommodation, I feel like it is my first day at a new job and I am pulling photos and desk trinkets from my bag to personalize my new office. Since I regularly change spaces, the act of posting the map grounds me and provides a sense of familiarity. With my hands on my hips, I stand in front of it, peering at its countries and cities, wondering where to go next.

Turkey was initially put on my radar due to some enthusiastic commentary about the country by a woman in an online travel group that I belong to. She responded warmly to an inquiry I made last spring. I welcomed her perspective and tucked Turkey away as a “maybe” destination. Admittedly, I knew little about the country and probably even had a few politicized misconceptions that colored my idea of what Turkey would be like. As the months passed, Turkey pulled at me and remained on my list of countries to keep in mind, especially since it offered the benefit of knowing someone there. As I stood in front of my map, this time posted on a wall in Prague, I shrugged, knowing that I had little to lose and much more to gain. So, I bought a one-way ticket from Prague to Istanbul. Layla (@laheelah_), the kind woman I contacted in May, and I met in person two days after I arrived and became fast friends. 

I always start my time in a new city with a tour, especially when traveling solo. My go-to resource is Airbnb Experiences. I booked a day-long, city overview with a local, professional guide. His university degree is in tourism and when he shared the depth of knowledge about antiquities that he had to know for his coursework, I was equal parts shocked and grateful. Imagine having to be able to answer, with confidence, any random tourist question about a country that straddles two continents and has more than 4,000 years of history? The nerd in me learned so much from his expert knowledge! The experience was illuminating, personal and at times enthralling. 

My introduction to Turkey through Istanbul left me wanting more. The food that so often takes like mom’s best dishes, the spirit of the people who have a traditional dance for nearly every type of celebration, the tension between religion and culture in a country with a rapidly-growing atheist population and even the strong national identity as demonstrated by flags on display everyday with the same celebratory zeal that Main Street, USA decorates for July 4th—suffice it to say that I am intrigued. Turkey has indeed drawn me in.