Assignment 2

Istanbul is one of my favourite cities in the world. It’s not only about traffic, smoke (everywhere! Thank God, the loos are spared), well-dressed Turks, narguile, crazy cabbies; it is a beautiful country with immense history.


With traffic getting denser, having a car in Istanbul is the surest method of going nowhere. However, I enjoy my commute here because there are lots of options: dolmus (mini vans), metro buses, normal buses, subway and ferries. Obviously, my favourite mode of transport is the ferry because that's the closest way to get in touch with nature on a daily basis. Don't even get me started with the amount people smoke here. You can smoke everywhere. You're in a restaurant, waiting for your dessert, you can conveniently light a cigarette and wait until the dessert arrives. How I wish sheesha was portable, I could also flaunt my little pipe everywhere while waiting for dessert. Thank God! There isn’t any because I would have never survived in Canada where I would have to carry the little pipe in the cold. I miss the fresh air as I used to walk out of Wood Residence. Having lived in India and Philippines, I never even bothered or cared much about the quality of air. Hell yeah, it matters! I realize now. Grace au Canada that I have started to know the difference between pure air and polluted air.
Let me get to the lifestyle led by Turks. When it comes to the way of life in Turkey, let's not even compare it to Canada or India because Canadians and Indians have not discovered one of the basic necessities - CHILLING. Istanbul is full of little cafes and restaurants filled with youngsters, expats, grand mas & pas, professionals after 6 pm unlike Canada and India where people lock themselves up after work to do chores. Another thing, it seems to me that everyone is rich here. At work, I keep hearing about their summer houses. If I’m lucky, I may get to stay at one of KAGIDER member’s summer house. Will keep you posted on that. Honestly speaking, I think I’m going to come back here. Istanbul makes you fall in love gradually. Certainly, there are high chances of falling in love with their culture (could be controversial too for SOME people in regards to the culture), music, food, city, people, etc.
Turkey is predominantly a Muslim country. I found one thing strange here and that is the segregation of women wearing head scarves and those who don't (there are some exceptions). Although, at the end of the day, they would neither call themselves Europeans nor Asians. They are TURKS.
From what I have heard, Islam prohibits alcohol, tattoos. You will be surprised to hear that 80% of the people have tattoos. Alcohol is prohibited in Turkey? Who said? They have a NATIONAL drink called Raki.







It is white in colour, tastes like saunf- eaten by Indians after their meals. There is a high concentration of alcohol in it; après two glasses, I was a little woozy. But nothing beats their desserts, they are simple amazing! Eat a piece of pistachio Baklava or a chocolate-coconut Baklava and you will be in heaven.


I better watch out with the weight though. Baklava is a Turkish delicacy, a sweet pastry, layers of dough filled with honey, pistachio nuts and walnuts. I guarantee you that it’s better than Gulab Jamun and Ras Malai at Indian Flavours.

In terms of fashion, Canadians are not anywhere close to Turks. Seriously, it’s like a fashion show EVERYDAY. I feel under-dressed here!



Be it a little cafe or an expensive restaurant, men AND women are always well dressed. Men in their suits and pointed shoes dressed for work or just for Chai/Coffee. When I go to work or attend conferences here, I'm amazed. Different styles every day, not to be repeated often unlike most of the Canadians and Indians (there are exceptions at York). The minute I enter Keele, it's like a smaller version of Istanbul. Thank God! I’m in Glendon 

I never thought of Turks being hospitable but they proved me wrong and they get 100 points for being the most hospitable people. Imagine, I get free BAKLAVAS (Turkish delicacy. I also get to try fruits for FREE! Awesome, eh! If you’re lost, they will be very happy to help you; sometimes, they will also escort you to the bus stops. REMEMBER: It is safer if you learn some important words like WHERE? HOW MUCH...? STOP HERE..... I use the word Nerede (where) all the time and most of them think that I know Turkish.

This city really surprised me.
I really didn't expect couples showing affection in public here. But everyone seems to be very open here. And the women here are really insecure about their boyfriends. If the couples are separated in a bus or in those mini vans, the girlfriend will keep eyeing her man especially if he is sitting with another woman. It’s really funny!
Until now, I'm having a very comfortable stay. I love the people here from my doorman to Zeynep.
Concerning my work, I was not very sure what I was supposed to do until today. Rina, my supervisor informed me that I would be creating data bases of NGOs and foundations of all the regions- Asia Pacific, The Americas, Europe and MENA.
I have two more months to explore and get closer to the city.

"Turkey is undoubtedly one of the best gifts that the New World has made to the Old."
Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826)