Welcome to Turkey, Europe’s bridge to Asia.

Turkey is the world’s largest per-capita consumer of tea, beating both the UK and Ireland. I really wasn’t expecting to learn that today. 

Turkey is one of those countries I’ve visited, but feel like I don’t know it. Well, other than the evil eye amulet is almost everywhere in Turkey, especially in tourist bazaars. Oh, and I also remember there’s a photo of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in almost every building. 

I went to Turkey in 2008 on a bargain-basement package holiday with my friend Sean right before graduating. It was the perfect break after exams and before going on a longer interrailing trip later that summer. We stayed Gümbet, just outside Bodrum. Looking at it on a Map, twelve years later, it’s incredible how much has changed. The area is now vastly more developed, and the sprawl of Bodrum now extends far further along the coast. Anyway, the trip was fun, we mostly lay on the beach, drank cocktails and ate. We did manage a day trip to the Greek island of Kos though, and I have lasting memories of the enormous lavash served with almost every meal.

I’d love to visit Turkey properly one day and make the effort to appreciate the delicious cuisine, nature and culture. We had a trip booked to Istanbul for Easter 2020. Once it’s safer to travel again I’d love to re-book. Istanbul looks like one of Europe’s most fascinating cities, packed will delicious food, Turkish baths and iconic sights such as the Grand Bazaar or Hagia Sophia. Istanbul would also be the first transcontinental city I’ve ever visited. That is to say, a city that exists on multiple continents.

Anyway, Turkey, see you after the pandemic!