Embarking on a New Path: My Unexpected Love Affair with Türkiye
Hi! Hoş geldiniz (Welcome!) to “Tiffles in Türkiye.” Two years ago, on September 22, 2022, my mother (Gigi, or for the rest of this post, Mom) and I landed at Istanbul Airport to embark on a 10-day tour of the Highlights of Türkiye. Little did I know I was embarking on a new path, as this trip would change the entire trajectory of my life – thanks, Mom! Seriously, I blame her for everything.
This whole thing started when I wanted to do something nice for Mom’s 75th birthday. So I offered to take her on a dream vacation wherever she would like to go (within reason, naturally). After much deliberation and comparison of various destinations, she narrowed it down to two options: a classic European Highlights tour (which included Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, and Paris-yes, please!) or the Highlights of Türkiye tour (which sounded so unexciting I didn’t even bother to look at the itinerary).
Naturally, Mom chose Türkiye. Of course she did.
But you know what? I wouldn’t change a single thing that happened during that trip or anything that followed. Our Türkiye adventure set off a chain of events that brought me where I am today, living my life as a proud Ankara resident. This blog is about that wild, beautiful ride. It’s about courageously embarking on a new path. It’s about how the universe always conspires to bring us exactly where we’re meant to be-whether we realize it or not.
Arrival in Istanbul
When Mom and I landed in Istanbul to begin her birthday extravaganza, it was raining. Normally I love the rain, or at least can tolerate it. But after a long flight, I was tired and cranky. It was still raining when we wrangled our bags and her “just-in-case” walker (which we schlepped around but never ended up needing) into the taxi. A few minutes into our drive, the rain had stopped.
That is when the magic kicked in. A rainbow appeared. I felt like it was a sign from the universe that Türkiye was welcoming us. I may be wrong, but as I recall that rainbow stayed with us the entire way to the hotel. The only thing I can remember for certain was that its appearance felt very auspicious. I knew that this trip was going to be special.
When we arrived at the hotel, we received a room upgrade to a high floor with a view of the Bosporus. (Thank you Hilton Honors!) We then had a dinner that I was way too tired to enjoy, or even remember, but I do remember Mom being stoked about having some good ‘ol Coca-Cola.
After dinner, we were ready to get a good night’s sleep so we would be refreshed when we joined the tour the following day.
But not before admiring this fabulous view from our hotel room.
Istanbul felt like home from the very beginning. The view of the Bosphorus, the warm hospitality of the hotel staff, and, to my great delight, the tons of street cats that roamed freely around the city, all wrapped me in a comfort I wasn’t expecting. For someone who had just dragged a walker and too many bags across continents for “just-in-case” moments, I was suddenly wide awake and fully alive in this vibrant and magical city.
The Beginning of an Unforgettable Journey
So… Here we are. . A birthday trip celebrating my mom’s 75th birthday marked the beginning of an unforgettable adventure that would ultimately lead me to begin a new life, at the age of 43, in the magical environment of Türkiye. And this was only the beginning. Tiffles in Türkiye will chronicle every success, failure, and all the beautifully chaotic experiences I’ve had over the last year, as well as the many adventures still to come.
Join me on this journey as I explore the heart and soul of this vibrant country. Along the way, I’ll share tips and tricks for travel, dive into the rich culture and history that Türkiye has to offer, and provide practical advice for anyone thinking of studying here, setting up residence, or simply visiting.
Whether you’re planning your own adventure or just here for the stories, there’s something for everyone. Welcome to the chronicles of a life reimagined in Türkiye.
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