A few days ago, we went to an exhibition in the Cistern of Theodosius, which was recently reopened. After spending some time in the exhibition, Ayşe and I walked around in Çemberlitaş, where the Cistern is located. There is a historical site (the courtyard of the Tomb of Mahmud II ) that contains many historical … Read more
An X user shared photos of James Baldwin, who spent time in İstanbul. Before I was born, he was hanging out in İstanbul. Baldwin’s years in Istanbul Baldwin first came to Istanbul in 1961, invited by his friend, the actor Engin Cezzar, whom he knew from New York theater circles. From 1961 through roughly 1971 … Read more
If you are visiting İstanbul, you may not be able to visit the Basilica Cistern, as a legal dispute continues. The court’s stay of the ministry’s takeover of İstanbul’s Basilica Cistern was the latest move in the ongoing drama. Here is a round-up: Core facts of the case The General Directorate of Foundations (Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü), … Read more
Yesterday I met a guy whom I last saw more than 10 years ago. He seems to be doing very well in video-making for advertising purposes. But I admired his excitement about an undersea documentary he wants to make in the Bosphorus. He even bought a boat for this. Let’s see how it goes. There … Read more
I recently visited Müzeverse at Galataport, İstanbul. Müzeverse is a location‑based virtual reality (VR) museum in Istanbul that offers large‑scale, immersive historical experiences and markets itself as Türkiye’s first dedicated VR museum.[1][2][3] Although I believe in the potential of VR, I find it a bit impractical. However, in our 45-minute tour of ancient Egypt, I was … Read more
Despite all the congestion I am exposed to in İstanbul, I still remember LA’s congestion, which prevented me from visiting the city as many times as I desired (while staying in Irvine, CA). The Zag Daily piece reports that Istanbul ranks as the world’s most congested city in the latest Global Traffic Scorecard published by … Read more
The British spymaster’s farewell speech in İstanbul—delivered by outgoing MI6 chief Richard Moore—was significant both for its symbolism and content, reflecting Türkiye’s central geopolitical role and the evolution of global intelligence priorities.turkiyetoday+2 I agree with some commentators that Moore is a legendary figure in global intelligence history. He built up his career in Türkiye, speaks … Read more
Turkey’s main opposition party faces police blockade as court appoints new leadership in İstanbul … and our internet connections are allegedly throttled (I cannot watch YouTube properly at the moment), so that citizens cannot be informed. There’s never peace of mind in this country. Here is background for tonight’s chaos: Turkey’s main opposition party, the … Read more
I came upon a piece on Istanbul’s Ferries, A Beloved Link Between Two Continents – Barron’s Something that I rarely experience recently, as I prefer to drive through the bridges. Below, you will find the basic information about the famous ferries. The Bright Side: Istanbul’s ferries carry passengers and memories across continents France 24 Gliding … Read more
I used ChatGPT’s deep research with proper prompts to collect all pro and counterarguments and issues related to the state of the city. Historical Overview of the Project Early Ideas: The concept of a canal connecting the Black Sea (Karadeniz) to the Sea of Marmara (Marmara Denizi) is not new. Ottoman sultans as far back … Read more
Debates and Theories Surrounding the Anticipated Istanbul Earthquake The recent 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Silivri, Istanbul on April 23, 2025, has reignited intense debate about the likelihood, timing, and potential impact of a major earthquake that seismologists have long predicted for Turkey’s largest city. This earthquake, which injured over 150 … Read more
I was just out in my car waiting for Sinem -and loudly enjoying Brothers Osborne It Ain’t My Fault to hang out in a cafe in Bomonti, so I did not feel the quake, but people were immediately out. GSM services are down, and the traffic load is incredible. That’s what awaits us. Powerful Earthquake Shakes … Read more
I wanted to talk about Mahir Polat. I did not meet him, but I always heard positive feedback about him. -I cannot say the same for many others in Imamoğlu’s inner circle- A modest person who worked hard to contribute to Istanbul’s cultural heritage. He was arrested along with Imamoğlu. In the last elections, he … Read more
Well, Imamoğlu’s imprisonment seems like Turkish authorities symbolically annulled the right to vote and to be elected. Most Istanbulites elected him for the third time- he increased his votes every time-, and here is what we have now. Secondly, a strong potential rival of the current president is eliminated by imprisoning him. I observe a … Read more
After 4 or 5 years, Istanbul finally got a good load of snow that immediately broke down the city’s ordinary life. Traffic was overloaded, the roads were not good for many to drive, and schools were closed. We are not in a formal closure, but most lecturers worked at home as the classes will start … Read more