I first visited Yildiz Park about a week ago when some friends and I found ourselves with an open evening and access to a car. We decided to do some exploring around Istanbul, and the first stop was the park, which is one of the largest green spaces remaining in the city. I had never … Continue reading
Easily one of the happiest discoveries I’ve made since moving to Turkey is how abundant and fantastic its produce is. Friends and family know that my diet for most of my life has left much to be desired, but since living here I’ve really done my best to try embracing new tastes and different foods, … Continue reading
As you may or may not know, my roommate Yalda is pursing her Master’s in music performance here in Istanbul. She plays a traditional stringed instrument called the tar, which originates in her native Iran, and her studies and thesis focus specifically on music from various regions of her country. She and other Iranian (plus … Continue reading
Today I made my way to Taksim Square and Gezi Park. It’s been a couple days since the protests have flared up, and I figured it was safe to venture to the place where it all began. I met up with my friend Meg for lunch, and then we wandered around the sites for a … Continue reading
At least some news of the uprisings here have probably reached you by now. Since my last post, there have been regular waves of peace followed by more turmoil, and both sides of the protests have remained persistent in their aggression. Many of the demonstrations, at least in Istanbul, are now centered in just a … Continue reading
Istanbul is currently in the throes of what many are calling the city’s version of an Occupy movement. I’d heard a couple days ago that demonstrators were conducting sit-ins at Taksim Square and the neighboring Gezi Park in response to new construction in the area that includes plans for yet another shopping mall, which is … Continue reading
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