You are Turkish, aren't you?

I decided to spent the transition from 2019 to 2020 in Turkey. Let me share some fun stories.

I guess my Mediterranean looks really confuse people — no matter where I went or who I spoke to, everyone assumed I was Turkish.

So, just for once, I decided to say:
"Yes, I am."
I told them my parents had moved abroad when I was young, so I never learned the language.
And guess what?
They totally believed me.

It wasn’t just that I looked Turkish enough for my lack of fluency to be excused — Turkey offered far more than shared features and adorable cats roaming every city.

🐟 Why I Fell in Love with Ayvalik

One of the most peaceful and lovely places I’ve visited on Earth is Ayvalik.
If you ever go to Turkey, add it to your list.

It’s a small coastal town right across from Lesbos, Greece. You can feel the blend of cultures — in the faces of the people, the colorful streets, the architecture, the food…
(By the way, try the fresh fish if you’re ever there.)

So why highlight this place?

Because it was just so lovely.
A little fishing town with narrow streets, stone-wall houses by the sea, and sunshine that gently caresses your skin.

It was winter — peaceful, quiet, no tourists.
Just you, the cats playing tour guide, some of the best olive oil in the world, kind locals sharing smiles, and your heart melting under the warm winter sun while listening to the waves of the sea.

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🎭 Reflections of duality

Turkey often gets painted as chaotic: loud bazaars, street musicians, dancing, color, noise.
And yes, it’s all that.

But remember: even in the middle of chaos, you can always find peaceful bliss.
Nothing can be sustained without its opposite. One holds the other.

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