In 2011, amidst the echoes of ancient myths and the vibrant hustle of bazaars, I embarked on a journey through Turkey that promised more than just a passage through its landscapes. This was a quest to peel back the layers of stereotypes and narratives painted by distant observers, to uncover the soul of a nation through its people, its customs, and the untold stories that breathe life into its cities and rural expanses.

It all started in Istanbul, a city that straddles two continents and countless cultures, with a guide whose passion for Turkey’s lesser-known tales matched my own thirst for discovery. Our adventure, initially dubbed “Lights of Turkey,” unfolded in two transformative phases: one exploring the myth-enshrouded western regions and the other, a spontaneous journey through the heart of Turkey’s summer, punctuated by serendipitous encounters and the relentless pursuit of understanding.

Over a decade, from 2011 to 2023, these stories found a home on my blog, transitioning from Blogspot to WordPress, as I wove tales not just of Turkey, but of life’s broader canvas, touching upon climate change, education, and politics through the eyes of an itinerant artist and writer. As I begin anew, I invite you to journey with me once more, to revisit the tales that have shaped my narrative and to continue exploring the ever-evolving tapestry of our shared human experience.

Join me in this odyssey, where words and paint converge, and where each story is a step on a path less travelled, a dance between the echoes of history and the whispers of the present.