Turkey came into my life unexpectedly. I did not travel there thinking I would end up living in Istanbul, yet that is exactly what happened. What started as a trip slowly turned into a longer stay, then into returns, until it quietly became almost a second home. I arrived in Istanbul open, observant, ready to experience it for myself. And Istanbul surprised me. The city is open-minded, multicultural, modern and traditional at the same time. Yes, you feel the presence of Islam in the mosques, the call to prayer, the grand architecture. But it does not feel restrictive. It feels integrated. Istanbul stands between Europe and Asia, and that dual identity is not just geographical. You feel it in the food, the rhythm, the conversations, the way the city breathes.
Over time, I built routines. Favorite cafés. Walks along the Bosphorus. Local markets. Turkish breakfast became one of my favorite rituals. Large tables filled with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, cheeses, fresh bread, eggs, jams. A table that never feels small. And the seagulls flying close, trying to steal a bite. Simple moments that stay with you forever. Turkish cuisine is rich, Mediterranean, deeply flavorful. Vegetable stews, eggplant, peppers, rice, freshly baked bread, balanced spices. It feels generous and comforting. There is something familiar in the way food brings people together, much like many Latin cultures. Eating in Turkey is about sharing.
Traveling through the country is surprisingly easy and diverse. I visited Troy, where history feels almost mythical. I spent time in Bodrum and Antalya with its beautiful sea and relaxed coastal atmosphere. In Gökçeada, an island known for kitesurfing, the wind is constant and the pace is slower, almost meditative. And Cappadocia. Waking up before sunrise and rising in a hot air balloon over its surreal landscape is something you never forget. The rock formations, the valleys, the silence in the sky as dozens of balloons float around you. It feels otherworldly, peaceful, expansive. A moment suspended between earth and sky.
Turkey was not just a destination; it was a profound expansion. It became the living proof that the deepest journeys do not occur on a map, but in the mind, transforming simple curiosity into a silent wisdom that changes your perspective forever. Looking back, I realize that living between two worlds taught me to embrace the unexpected transitions of life. Just like the hot air balloons that trust the morning wind or the shared tables that erase all distances, this country reshaped how I see the world. It reminded me that we do not cross borders simply to see new places, but to let those places dismantle our certainties and show us exactly who we can become.
