Merhaba from Istanbul!

Brooklyn Bourgie
Jul 24, 2017 · 4 min read

When we last left our brave heroine it seemed as though all hope might be lost. After a robbery, hour upon hour of agonizing/free train rides and surviving near starvation I’d made it to the (second) airport only to find technology had screwed me once again. What do you mean my flight is booked for tomorrow?! I blame the ghost of Steve Jobs. Damned iPhone. iCan’t and iWon’t! I know I chose the right day! Luckily, the lady at the ticket counter was able to find a seat for me (while I was standing at the counter they put out the ‘closed’ sign just as another woman was getting in line behind me. How can you be so cruel Turkish Airlines?! How can you be so cruel?) Those of you who know me know I have major rule when it comes to international travel. I do NOT check bags. So, I was given a pass to skip to the front of the security line and sent on my way. I also ended up jumping to the front of the passport line along with a few other frantic women in a rush to make the same flight. Eventually we boarded and for the first time in nearly two days I was able to get some fucking sleep.

Istanbul is one of my favorite cities in the world. I typically list Barcelona as my favorite but honestly that might not be true. Istanbul is kind of a hot mess in many ways. It’s loud, crowded and crossing the street (at any time of day) can be downright deadly but every time I take the ride to my apartment (or wherever I’m staying) from the airport I have that same comfortable feeling I used to get on the cab ride home after landing in NYC. It just feels like I’m in a place where I belong.

Turkish people are really lovely. They are sweet, have a strong sense of community and (like me) they hate germs! Combine this with a nearly 4 to 1 currency conversion rate for Americans and you’ve got yourself a pretty swell city. The food is delicious, you’ve got both the Bosphorus and the Black Sea and best of all it’s the only country in the world that spans two continents. What’s not to love?!

I know I look drunk. I’m not. This is my happy face. Get into it!

I’ve been here for less than 24 hours and already I’ve received several marriage proposals. If I can just snag a dude with teeth and a job I’m in there!

One of the first things I notice this time around are all of the new private hospitals here. I know Turkey is the hair transplant capital of the world (word to all you baldies out there) but this is a ridiculous number of hospitals. I soon learn the city has really grown into a bustling hub for medical tourism over the past few years (it’s now in the top 5). That’s right. Istanbul now offers you a trip to the hamam AND a shiny new pancreas. Can this city get any better?! Maybe I should cancel my health insurance when I get home…(although given what I’ve heard is going on in the Senate sounds like the gubment might do it for me!)

Also, now that I have a good friend who lives here I get to see a less touristy side of the city. I love having as much of a local experience as possible (sans any crippling poverty of course) when traveling and having a friend who lives in town is the best way to make that happen. Secret brunch spots? Check. Best hotel bar happy hour? Double check. Best new hamam? Check. Tastiest köfte. Quintuple check!

Maybe I should be the one to open NYC’s first hamam? We’ve lived without one for too long. What are we, heathens?!
Mmmmm dondurma…..(I almost drooled while posting this. True story)
Yes, I know a lot of these photos suck. Photography is not my strong suit!
Careful not to make the same mistake I did and read this sign too quickly…
This is my friend and official Unofficial Assistant Blog Photographer Lilu!

In our next episode: Istanbul, the city where stray “pets” find freedom. P is for propaganda. 4 teens and a lady. Shop till I drop? Don’t mind if I do! And…who needs infrastructure when you’ve got falafel?!

Brooklyn Bourgie

Written by

I write posts in minutes without an editor (or much of a filter). I've got humor, spirit and LIFE. Follow me on Instagram @brooklynbourgie

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