Turkey Vacation 2015

As most of you know we went to Turkey in September. It was a twelve days vacation which was packed with lots of fun, food, travel and excitement. It was so exhausting but very fun at the same time. 

 I attended my cousin's wedding and was honored to take their wedding portrait photos. He was always like a big brother to me, so it was the way I thanked to him for all the wonderful things he did for me. The wedding was a great opportunity to see all of my relatives and old friends of my mom. I hadn't seen some of them over 20 years. We all hugged and lied each other about how we hadn't changed at all:) 

We went to Istanbul and took Damla with us too. I was so excited to show her the city where I was born and lived the first fifteen years of my life. We went to some touristic sides. And I took LOTS of photos. It felt so good and right to be in a big city. I miss that feeling every single day.  Even though I enjoy my quite suburb life in Virginia, I enjoy big city visits every once in a while.

You can see graffiti art everywhere in Beyoglu/Istanbul!

   This city is like a heaven for photographers. You never run out of interesting backdrop!

Giant green grass-hopers!

Damla wanted to sit and pose in front of every old looking door!

We had a boat ride to cross the Bosporus!

Haydarpasa train station is full of memories!

Galata Tower is beautiful from every angle!

And of course we went to Ortakoy and ate Kumpir and smoked Nargile!

My beautiful sister!

I also enjoyed Izmit, my hometown more this time. Izmit and I was always broken to each other since we moved there in 1990. I never wanted to move from Istanbul. I never liked Izmit. I lived there only for four years and moved to Ankara to go to college, and never went back. 

But this time, I decided not to be prejudice. It is very surprising to realize that when you change your perspective, everything starts to look different. Izmit looked much more beautiful this time. Damla loved sitting in the coffee houses and eating ice cream at the sea side. 

Just a regular restaurant in Masukiye/Izmit!

Damla thought it was the funnest swing ever!

I think I have the most handsome nephew! Your aunt loves and misses you so much Cagan!

I had some Turkish tea and watched the gulf of Izmit in a cloudy afternoon!

My dear husband had many cups of Turkish coffee cooking on coal ember!

And another beautiful scenery from a nice restaurant in Izmit, hometown!

These twelve days passed way too fast. We already started to plan our next trip to Turkey next year. Seeing Damla feeling excited doubles my happiness. I have a feeling that Damla is going to be my favorite travel buddy soon!