Yes, it gets cold in Istanbul. In the winter, Istanbul's summer heat is replaced by cold weather. Snow and ice are not uncommon and can turn this beautiful city into a fairytale wonderland.
Category: Expat Life
Cultural Conundrums in Constantinople
November 2011 - Istanbul Sultanahmet is the original heart of old Constantinople, now Istanbul. This is THE area that draws tourists in the by the coach load. The magnets being Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Basilica Cisterns, all located within spitting distance of each other. It is the stuff of fairy… Continue reading Cultural Conundrums in Constantinople
The Expat Uphill Battle
We moved to Istanbul at the back end of 2011. As can only be expected, there were many hiccups, ups, downs and frustrating moments in those earliest days as we fumbled our way step by step. But, of course, perseverance is key in the 'Expat Uphill Battle' and as each challenge is mastered, slowly… Continue reading The Expat Uphill Battle
Expat Friendship: The Friend at Hand
The friend at hand is often your first expat friendship when you land on new shores. It's an idea adopted from an African proverb of unknown provenance. The first time I came across it was printed on a patchwork quilt that I won, a quilt made by a brilliant group of expat ladies (which is a… Continue reading Expat Friendship: The Friend at Hand
Time Warp Tuesday: Wrong Turn
August 2011 - Istanbul: First Impressions We're finally here all together after six long months of Mr Incredible having an horrendous bi-weekly Istanbul-London commute. It's hot and sunny and the children in particular are getting lots of warm smiles and attention from everyone. Pickle especially attracts cries of "cok guzel" (pronounced choc-goozelle) and is often scooped… Continue reading Time Warp Tuesday: Wrong Turn
Double Entendre
I just read an article about a tourist who was removed from a cruise liner when he joked about ‘jumping ship’. It was misunderstood by the crew who spoke English as a second language that he had lost the will to live and was planning to end it all by flinging him self overboard in the middle… Continue reading Double Entendre
10 Tips for Air Travel with Toddlers
More specifically, top 10 travel tips for air travel with toddlers and babies from an Expat mum who has dealt with: multiple rapid nappy changes, explosive sneezes, a tiny Marshmellow Man child with an allergic reaction been peed on at 30,000 ft. If you'd like to read more about these delightful (I can laugh about… Continue reading 10 Tips for Air Travel with Toddlers
Introducing Africa’s Iron Rule
Here in Africa we have an Iron Rule. It’s nothing to do with government control or military states. It’s to do with the state of electrical appliances, irons in particular. The Iron Rule is as follows: In Africa, 1 Iron will last 1 year. Then it will explode, fuse the house/entire neighbourhood or occasionally, without… Continue reading Introducing Africa’s Iron Rule
Expat Friendship: The Expat Locationship
Expat Friendship and the Locationship
South African English: A Slightly Silly Post
South African English can be confusing. Throw in some slang, some unique words and a few derived from Dutch. Let us decode and translate some of those words that have been baffling you.
Expatorama 