Would my phone work in Turkey?

The short answer is yes. And now for the long answer.

When you enter Turkey for the first time, you will receive a text message from the Department of Communications stating that you have 120 days (the length of a standard tourist visa) to register your phone.

So here’s a list of things you need to keep you phone working:

1. A passport with your date of entry stamped into it.
2. A bank account
3. A working sim card from a Turkish carrier
4. A bank account from Deniz Bank, Garanti Bank, or Türkiye İş Bank with online bank access
5. 149,20 Turkish Lira in your bank account
6. A password from e-devlet (which you can get with your residence/work permit)

After you have acquired these (and you have 120 days to do it), here is what you need to do:

1. Sign on to e-devlet (e-devlet is an online portal where you can get get stuff like this done). USE THIS LINK : https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/btk-imei-kaydet?asama=1
2. After you click continue, you will be taken to a page where you can select which bank you will pay with.
3. After you select your bank, you will be taken to your bank’s homepage. Sign onto your bank account. After your sign in, the transfer page with all the information will come up. In the “Notes” section, enter your IMEI number.
4. After you have completed your transfer, keep clicking continue until you are done.
5. It’s always a good idea to ask for help.

Warning, you can only register a phone every two years.

Posted on | 08/08/2017 | Ryan Tidd

Life in Turkey – social life and work life

Given it’s history, sheer size and the importance of faith and culture it is not surprising that Turkey seems to draw people from all cultures and backgrounds. I have travelled extensively across most of the World’s continents but have yet to experience anywhere that can rival Turkey as a destination.

Whether you are interested in politics, history, spirituality, shopping, studying or partying you are sure to find what you are searching for. The magic of this county is that it has a way of drawing you in and teaching you things you never even dreamed you wanted to learn.
It was the teal and cerulean waters and golden sanded beaches that originally enticed me to Turkey. In a time when all I wanted was to sunbathe all day and party all night. The beaches are unrivalled as are the hospitality and the warmth and charm of the locals.

Now as a -sometimes- ESL Teacher, a writer and an energy healer I find myself spellbound by Istanbul. If you are able to accept that working here is not like working “at home”; that the hours may be longer,that contracts seem to be decorative rather than legally binding and that boundaries as you may be used to them are almost non existent then Istanbul truly is the land of opportunity for foreigners.

Universities, Schools, Language Centres offer teaching jobs where you can choose to work as little or as much as you choose. Most of these, once you have earned their trust will connect you to private students giving you the option to earn additional cash.

If you happen to speak an additional language it is easy to pick up work translating or even working for local businesses.

If you have been living in the United Kingdom, The United States or just about anywhere else you will be amazed at how cheap life is here and how you can afford a home and a social life on a fraction of what you are used to. You can easily enjoy a night out with good food and drinks for less than $20 and if you are not looking for something special you can eat a decent meal for about the price of a cup of coffee “back home”.

Turkish people and those who have chosen to make Turkey their home are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. It is easy to make friends here and being so proud of their culture and heritage Turkish people will always advise you on the best restaurants, coffee shops, museums, festivals etc to visit with great enthusiasm.

For those of you who may be wondering; I’m a single woman living here alone. I have never felt anything but safe. I do not take any special precautions. I travel late at night. I eat out alone. I use public transport and I feel as safe here, if

Posted on | 12/07/2018 | Julie Lachtay

Spending weekends in Istanbul

Having spent close to eighteen months in Istanbul the main difference worth noting is maybe an obvious one. Istanbul at weekends is crowded. Crowded like Trafalgar Square or Times Square on New Year’s Eve at midnight.

If you like crowds you are in for a treat and can find endless ways to amuse yourself. Shopping malls open late and stay late;usually until ten o’clock. Many of the bigger malls on the European side house Cinemas showing movies in English with Turkish subtitles. A heads up; they have an interval here during the movie. The first time I went I thought something had gone wrong and only half the movie was being shown. It gives you plenty time to get a snack, a cup of coffee and use the bathroom. If you have an attention span like mine it also allows you to forget most of what has happened.

Istanbul does not wake early. If friends invite you for breakfast “early in the morning” this means around two o’clock so you need not worry about setting your alarm. Of course the flip side is that everything opens later than you may be used to. You can find somewhere to eat or to get coffee until well after midnight. Bars, clubs and restaurants open until the early hours. The only time I’ve seen a club close was at 4am on a Monday morning.

If you want to escape the crowds there are numerous gorgeous parks across the city or you can even just take a boat trip along the Bosphorus which is an amazing way to see this city is all it’s splendour. A basic ninety minute tour will cost you around fifteen lira and will give you a chance to look around but no explore. From Sirkeci or Besiktas you can find half day or full day tours that often include lunch and give the option to get off at various points and look around.

Despite being warned to avoid the Princes Islands at weekends I’ve never found them overly crowded but the ferries can feel a bit like an early morning city commute so leave early -before eleven o’clock if you can.

Personally I’m not a huge fan of crowds or shopping but should you wish to check out the main attractions such as The Blue Mosque and The Grand Bizarre without being jostled like goats go as late in the day as you can. There are always plenty of places to take refuge for cay or coffee.

If you have had enough of the heat check out the Basilica Sistern the original underground water supply system for Istanbul. Underground and beautiful. You can even dress up as a Sultan and be photographed with your harem should you choose.

Step aside New York. I believe Istanbul is the new “city that never sleeps” so just enjoy everything this wondrous city has to offer.

Posted on | 14/07/2018 | Julie Lachtay

London V Istanbul

Why would anyone leave London for Istanbul? I was asked this so many times when I announced I was doing exactly that. In my humble opinion which you are of course welcome to ignore, Istanbul delivers all that London promises but never quite does.

I lived in London for roughly thirty-five years on and off. I never knew a single neighbour. I never had a shop keeper greet me by name. I never had anyone run out of a shop to chase after me because I’d forgotten my shopping, my change or my mobile.

I’ve lived in Istanbul for less than eighteen months and all of these things happen routinely. I’ve moved half a dozen times and met most of my neighbours. My last landlord even offered to help me move when the time came and regularly brought me back Italian coffee, Marmite and other goodies when he went on business trips to London (and I got my deposit back!)

The cost of living is almost unbelievable if you’re earning a vaguely decent salary or coming with a stash of those beautiful pounds. You can rent a beautiful, spacious two bedroom furnished apartment here for around a third of the price a studio flat in London.

If you’re living alone it’s literally cheaper to eat out than to fuss with supermarkets and cooking. Okay, so I may not be claiming you can eat gourmet food seven days a week but you can get a basic every day meal for less than the price of a dodgy sandwich and a bottle of water from Boots.

Of course, should you decide to go and buy food you can head to one of the numerous fresh markets throughout the city and haggle. There is something strangely satisfying about “arguing” about how much something costs and feeling like you’ve come away with a bargain. This is not like the end of the day quibble over the price in Green Lanes. Haggling in markets here is fun, it’s expected and it helps you form relationships with your local fruit and vegetable sellers. Before you know it they’ll give you a good price, thrown in an extra few tomatoes and offer you a cup of tea.

That’s the good news. I’m not here to lie to you. If you want to buy clothes or shoes this is not the place you dream of. Until I lived in Istanbul I didn’t know it was possible to spend the day shoe shopping and come home sad and empty handed. Stock up on what you need before you come or accept you will be settling for clothes you don’t hate and wearing polyester when it’s 45 degrees.

Oh, and forget ice cream. I’ve searched the city for something passable but I can’t think of a single thing that would make me return to London.

Posted on | 21/07/2018 | Julie Lachtay

Beautiful holiday place, Trakya

Located just to the west of Istanbul, lies Trakya, the piece of land that connects Turkey to the continent of Europe.
Wine has been produced in this region for hundreds of years and the investment in this region is the largest step taken in the name of wine production in Turkey. Although Turkey is not yet really globally recognized for wines, three hours outside of Istanbul lies the Trakya Vineyard Route.

Most of the vineyards straddle the Sea of Marmara and the Gallipoli Straight; however, a few can be found inland as well.

Open from spring to the end of autumn, the vineyards in Trakya are ideal for those who want to combine their love of nature with their obsession for new flavors. All of the vineyards are boutique producers and some of them even have guest houses for those who want to stay the weekend.

Since the wine market is a still a growing venture, the vineyards are very eager to offer tours on their properties. They will walk you through all the steps from the planting of the grapes to the bottling and storing of the final product.

They also offer daily tastings. Almost all of the vineyards employ professional chefs who offer local tastes with a twist.
One hour northeast of the vineyards, you can find the Forest of Longoz. There are plenty of stops along the winding roads to eat and rest. Don’t forget to check out Dupnisa cave, located in the forest. After exploring the cave, buy a cone of ice cream and enjoy the surrounding meadows.


How to get there: Rent a car! (seriously, don’t even try anything else)
When to go: Mid-spring to late

Posted on | 26/06/2018 | Beril Akıncı

Which side to live in Istanbul?

Like most major cities divided by water which side to live on is a dilemma if you’ve just arrived and have no idea which to choose or what each side has to offer. There are few things more personal than where you choose to live so I apologise in advance if this is a somewhat biased view.

Aside from location you need to consider what made you leave home and why you chose Istanbul. I left London because I had had enough of the stress, tension and anxiety that seemed to sit on the air I breathed. I could virtually see it coming at me like fog when I walked down the street.

The European side feels too much like London for me to want to be there. That said, it is where most of the schools and language centres seem to be based. All the major tourist attractions are there. If you thrive on the hustle and bustle. If you want five star restaurants. Night clubs and shopping centres the size of small villages then the European side is for you.

Places like Ortakoy and Bebek along the Bosphorus are pricey but breathtaking. Even if your budget doesn’t stretch to living there I’d encourage you to visit. You can find that urban inner city vibe further from the Bosphorus or slightly more relaxed around Besiktas with it’s winding streets lined with endless cafés, bars and markets.

From Besiktas you can easily get anywhere using the ferry system, tram, buses or endless dolmus services.

If you want something more authentically Turkish yet relaxed, less conservative and bohemian the Asian side is where it’s at for you. I warned you I may be biased but Kadikoy gets my vote. Sitting on the Marmara Sea it’s stunningly beautiful. You can spend hours wondering it’s cobbled streets peeking into boutiques and quirky shops. I’m quite sure there are more coffee shops in Kadikoy than the whole of London.

There’s a coffee shop for everyone. From the Starbucks in the centre with it’s roof terrace ;perfect for watching the sunset to the numerous artisan shops where you are always welcome to linger.

Kadikoy is home to art shops, music shops, and even an Opera House and has amazing transport links to the rest of the city. Away from the seafront you can find almost anything you could ever want on Bagdat Caddesi; Istanbul’s answer to Oxford Street or Fifth Avenue.

Further along you reach Uskudar where you can settle yourself on the Sahil and watch the sunset over the famous Maiden’s Tower restaurant.

Like most areas, you need to shop around and see what you get for your money should you choose to live on either side but there are always places to suit every budget.

The choice is yours. Europe or Asia? Where else can you access both in one city?Posted on | 11/06/2018 | Julie Lachtay