Her Yerde Sanat – Art Anywhere, Mardin, Turkey

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A little further East from Sanliurfa, we traversed through scenes of armoured vehicles, military tanks, tyre fires and abandoned shops. The curfew left streets deserted. The dolmus continued steadily toward Mardin. We were nervous to be in such tense and hostile lands, but a kind soul had reassured us to come and promised that we would live an unforgettable moment if we came. As we drove towards Old Mardin, the incredible stone architecture stood with such beauty, that we were glad to have made … [Read more...]

South East Turkey

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After a little taste of space exploration (aka Cappadocia), the next stop was time travel. The direction: South-East. We headed towards the gateway of ancient Mesopotamia, along part of the historic trade route of the Silk Road. The world slowly began to metamorphose. The architecture once grey now sand, with only mosques towering over the horizon. The road there was littered with agricultural fields: wheat, corn, cotton. A modern-day testament to the historical fertile crescent, a fertile … [Read more...]

Hitch-hiking Turkey

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Hitch-hiking is not only a cheap way of getting around (you don't really get much cheaper than free), but it is also a great way to meet locals and practice your handle on the local language. So far, in Turkey, most people want to know how old you are and whether you are married or not. For a female, it is always safer to say yes. If you are travelling with a male, pretend you are married or engaged, even if you're only friends. And always sit in the back or closest to the door. Never sit … [Read more...]

Eid al-Adha (The Feast of the Sacrifice)

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Eid al-Adha is the second largest holiday in Turkey, only second to Eid al-Fitr (the holiday which marks the end of Ramadan). Eid al-Adha, also known as the feast of the sacrifice, refers to the story of Abraham offering his only son to God only to replace it with a sacrificial lamb at the last moment. This holiday is celebrated over 4 days throughout the whole of Turkey and families travel great distances to be together. It all sounds fantastic, until the tradition of every family butchering … [Read more...]

Cappadocia, Turkey

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I first visited Turkey back in June 2013. But due to the great hospitality of Turkish people and my poor ability to track the time, I missed my overnight bus to Cappadocia. I fell in love with Turkey the first time I was here, so it was no surprise to find myself back again only a year later. This time, I made sure I visited Cappadocia. Cappadocia (turkish = kapadokya) is a unique region in central Turkey characterised by cave dwellings and fairy chimney rock formations. After meeting a … [Read more...]