The next part of our worldschooling journey started in Türkiye. We flew from Atlanta to Istanbul with frequent flyer miles, so it only cost us $100 for our four flights. Michael and Henry had a direct flight from Atlanta. Lucas and I did have to backtrack with a layover in Houston, but it was worth it.
Our visit to Türkiye coincided with a pivotal moment in Türkiye’s contemporary political landscape—the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on the day we arrived. The arrest ignited widespread protests throughout the city. News outlets buzzed with reports of Imamoglu’s detention on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group—allegations many believed to be politically motivated. Some subway stops and other public transportation was disrupted, but we luckily booked a private transfer to our Airbnb and had no delays.
Our Airbnb in Türkiye is just south of Taksim Square. It is a comfortable two-bedroom place close to many restaurants and tourist attractions. There is a cafe near our Airbnb called Mundo Novo. It is designed like a prison. Visitors sit in cells while enjoying coffee and pastries, and you get cat visits. Our Airbnb was close to Istiklal Caddesi, a famous shopping street in Istanbul.
The food in Türkiye is great. There is a vegan restaurant around the corner from our Airbnb called Vegan Istanbul, and many other restaurants have vegan options. It is easier to find vegan food in non-vegan restaurants in Türkiye than in the United States.
Our first order of business was finding Invisalign for Henry. The day after we arrived, we had two orthodontist appointments. We found a great orthodontist, and Henry is on his way to a new smile.
We spent a few days discovering Istanbul’s landmarks. The public transportation system is expansive and easy to navigate. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known to tourists as the Blue Mosque, is a working mosque. Tourists are welcome to visit in between prayer times. It is a beautiful mosque with over 250 stained glass windows.
Another highlight was our visit to the Basilica Cistern, an ancient subterranean wonder with 336 marble columns reflecting in the still, shallow water. The cistern’s history as a Byzantine water reservoir showcased the city’s ability to repurpose and preserve its heritage through the ages.
We also walked to Galata Towner, through Gulhane Park, past Hagia Sophia, and through the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is not that exciting for us because it is mostly designer clothing, rugs, and jewelry and we do not need or want any of those things.
We spent a day exploring the Asia side of Istanbul. We saw impressive street art and enjoyed walking the streets and browsing the shops. Michael and Henry took a nap in the Turkish equivalent of Target, and they both got pajama pants.
The Turkish people are friendly. We spent an evening with a Turkish man we met in Bangkok. He took us out for dinner and drinks and we talked about many topics. Michael and Lucas found pickleball. Pickleball folks have always been welcoming. On the way home from pickleball one night, Michael and Lucas got kicked off the bus coming home. The police were closing streets, and public transportation was shutting down due to the protests. Michael and Lucas ended up sharing a taxi with a local man who refused to let Michael pay for his part of the taxi.
We will be back in Istanbul several times over the next year for Henry’s Invisalign. We are excited to come back and continue exploring the city.
