Turkey

It’s 2022 - the year past covid or is it still Covid-y? Everything was supposed to make sense again. But then came the recession and working in the tech sector It did affect some of my professional works. I was feeling pretty unmotivated as well as dejected and it hit me that I hadn’t photographed somewhere different in very long. I was dreaming everyday of exploring and just simply just walking and photographing - it’s really my favourite activity to do in this world besides maybe sleeping and eating. I remember I went for a friend’s Bachelor trip to Phuket and after 2 days of bender I realised how much I needed a break. Just being away from Singapore was the only necessary thing to do. I was confused between places I wanted to go - didn’t want Europe as it would have been boiling hot but I did think a lot about going back to Paris. In the end I decided I’ll go to Europe some another time. I was thinking of what other places I could go that would be unique and most importantly good for a wide range of photography. I remembered listing down Jordan, South Korea, Iran and either Australia or New Zealand. In the end I went on none of those countries for different reasons. And I don’t know how and why - It suddenly struck me that I should visit Turkey. The only country where the capital is divided between Europe and Asia, it’s rich in history and culture and food and Ara Guler’s playground. Clearly remember this, I woke up on a Tuesday morning and before going to work, I booked the trip on a whim.

There’s just so much to say about this country - love from the very first instance. I was in love probably as well so that was heightened by the environment I was in as well. The hospitality of Turkish people are second to none - they are kind, they are inviting. I remember in my very first hour in the country - I sat next to a stranger and had tea with him. We both stared at each other - both of us didn’t understand each other but we did understand our smiles. It was a nice feeling. My days would start with listening to ‘Taro by Alt-J’ and ‘Dil Toh Baccha hai Ji’ - it would just set the day for me. I’m not a morning person but I do make the effort to wake up around 6am everyday to shoot the morning scenes. While travelling, I just feel so motivated you know, I don’t want to waste a single second sleeping, I want to explore and see and eat and talk to different people. This was my solo trip after 3 years and it felt good to be in a place where no one really knows me - I don’t know anyone, felt like a rebirth of sorts. I have always thought about being in places where I know no one, I have nothing to live up to, somewhere I can just photograph and photograph. This write-up may seem all over the place - so forgive me, It’s me ruminating about the trip and what I went through.

So back to the trip - I walked around most places. My favorite decision was taking the sunset boat tour on the first day, I was tired but that was one of the best decision that I had taken. The sunset over the Bhosphorous is heavenly especially with the summer sun setting around 8:45pm. I had taken the bus, taxi, train, tram as well as boat in Turkey. I went to Galata tower (amazing for overall view, I suggest go during sunset although it will be crowded), walked all over the grand bazaar. I suggest going to as many Mosques as you can, they are beautiful structures and it’s very peaceful inside. Here’s the Mosques I suggest going: Sulemaniye Mosque (best for sunset), Blue Mosque (under construction), Hagia Sofya, Grand Mosque (largest Mosque in Turkey and it’s in the Asian side), Fatih Mosque. I went to Konya and Cappadocia as well. And I was shuttling between different transports, different hostels, different planes. But oh it felt so good.

I don’t know who’s going to read this but I urge everyone to go out and travel - spend on travelling. Explore a place where it’s uncomfortable for you. Eat something you have never eaten, converse with somebody you have never conversed before. From where I come from (Singapore), it’s a bubble and travelling and photography has given me different perspective to the world. Helped me understand humanity, understand the planet, helped me understand more about myself. I’m always seeking the next adventure, next place to visit. I’ll end this post (slightly abruptly) with a quote from one of my biggest travel inspirations, Anthony Bourdain:

‘‘If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food. It's a plus for everybody.”