Happy Thursday, folks!
Life went full steam ahead right after I got back from the holiday (work shenanigans, packing, and trying to get over a flu) so this is another (late) Glimmer post coming your way 〜
Last week has been very eventful courtesy of a girl’s trip in Türkiye. We went to Istanbul and then to Cappadocia and, as expected, it was such an unforgettable experience. I’ve always loved my experiences travelling to countries in the Middle East, and this one is no exception. I swear: it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. I wanted to hold those memories close to my heart.
While it’s always easier to focus on the big things whenever one is travelling, I find that focusing on and noticing the small things — those little moments and feelings — always make the experience richer. So this small gratitude list for the week that has been will focus on just that.
Here it is — a list of my favorite °˖glimmers˖° that made my days a little brighter the past week:
✧˖° The beautiful Istanbul skyline. I will never get tired of looking at it whenever we were on a taxi ride or at a place with a view. One of the prettiest skylines I’ve ever seen.
✧˖° Cats! Of! Istanbul! Cat-spotting have never been this fun. Cats (fat and fluffy and approachable) were everywhere! The people in this country view cats as community-owned pets, not traditional strays, so everyone makes it a point to give them shelter and food whenever they can (the whole country has a blanket no-kill, no-capture policy!). I loved this city to bits.
✧˖° That gorgeous blue that I will forever associate with this place. (see this blue in the picture of the Blue Mosque above)
✧˖° How kind, compassionate, and welcoming the people in Türkiye are. Definitely one of the kindest and most hospitable people I’ve ever met.
✧˖° That serene writing morning, at the break of dawn, in a terrace with a view of the Sea of Marmara, with the call of seagulls (?) in the background. Quiet moments like this.
✧˖° Finally seeing popular historical sites I’ve only heard about and seen in books/internet: the Hagia Sophia, the Istanbul skyline, the Galata Tower, the Blue Mosque, and the whole magical region of Cappadocia with its fairy chimneys. It felt like a dream!
✧˖° Always in awe of places that stand the test of time - realising all the events these places have witnessed, all the conversations these walls have heard.
✧˖° Getting drunk on Turkish coffee and tea, anytime and anywhere.
✧˖° That dreamy hot air balloon ride while witnessing the gorgeous sunrise over Göreme. To saying yes to experience and spontaneous moments.
✧˖° To having friends that take care of you when you’re sick. Caught something in the middle of the trip so I ended up feeling under the weather for half of it. But I’m so thankful to my friends who made sure I drink enough water, eat food, and take the necessary meds. It was funny now that I think back to it, but it was intense. 😅
✧˖° To getting to places you thought you would only go to in your wildest dreams!
Türkiye 2025 —
cats on the street ● that gorgeous blue ● istanbul skyline ● head scarves ● packed itineraries ● little to no sleep ● airport transfers ● early call times ● evil eyes ● turkish coffee & tea ● kebabs ● hot and cold temperature ● turkish bath ● cave hotels ● cats again ● lentil soup ● panadol ● cough syrup ● fairy chimneys ● sunrise and sunsets ● hot air balloon ride ● luxury taxis ● 1-hour travels ● grilled corn at night ● long dresses ● ‘lady’ ● teşekkürler ● cats.
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I wonder how I'd feel about Istanbul if I wasn't a cat dad. :D
Now you make me want to visit Turkiye even more!!