So I’ve been living in Turkey since July and I’m here until December on an internship and extended holiday, it’s a really beautiful country and I’m really settled into life here, even though I still miss home.
It was really difficult in the beginning to become accustom to living in a different place where I didn’t speak the language (or very little.) Also it’s really hard being away from my family and friends and I have missed home so much, I still sometimes get upset, but I have also enjoyed the brief time that I have in a place that is so different from home.
Firstly the weather is something to enjoy, it seems to be permanent summer (well at least in Izmir) and it has finally given me the motivation to keep fit through swimming and basketball. Also, it generally makes you happy when you wake up in the morning.
Secondly, I have learnt so much about the culture here, the people and this has given me a new perspective on life. I think that Turkey’s geographical position makes it such an interesting country, that of East meets West and also old meets modern. The politics of Turkey (upon which I will write another post) is so interesting and the state model of secularism is far from the Christian Church of Britain. (I digress, I am sorry.)
Thirdly, I have some time off for reflection to choose a career and decide which type of law I want to specialize in. I left University in June and I wanted to make sure that a career as a lawyer was something that I wanted to pursue as it requires more studying and competing for training contracts and this wasn’t something that I wanted to rush into. I could also continue studying and keeping up with research through my internship.
So here’s a couple of photos from my time here and it’s a place I will always urge people to visit!
This is me being a proper tourist! In the city there is a long promenade next to the sea called ‘The Kordon’ which boasts lots of cafes, bars and restaurants along with this massive sign! It looks at its most beautiful here when the sun is just setting and there is a long stretch of grass when people come to talk with their friends, I’ve seen so many people whip out the guitar and sing here.
This is a place not far from Izmir called Cesme, it’s beautiful and renowned for it’s beaches, even Abramovich has a beach here. I loved swimming here and seeing all the fishes under my feet!!
This is just a picture of the one of the pools at my boyfriend’s parents house which I seemed to spend a lot of time in..
This is an open-air shopping centre called Forum Bornova on the outskirts of Izmir, but you can get to it by the metro. I love this place! Turkey has a passion for shopping centres and whilst in Ankara I seemed to visit about a million! But this one is the most beautiful and has lovely shops too! My favourite shops whilst I’ve been here are definitely Koton, Stratavarius and Flormar, they have some really lovely clothes/make up and are affordable too!
This is breakfast possibly the best breakfast I have ever eaten! Basically this is suppose to represent the brilliant food in Turkey, I really love it and if you visit please go beyond the normal Kofte/Kebab region and try some of the more vegetable-orientated dishes as well because they are amazing!
This is just a few of the things that I have loved about being in Turkey and I know that by the time I’m leaving I will be so sad because I think I might have grown a little attached..
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