Heart of the world

After an nine-hour flight ahead of New Jersey time, I landed in Istanbul, Turkey — a city often described as the heart of the world, and it’s easy to see why. Once I adjusted to the time difference, I began to explore, and words truly fall short of capturing the beauty and complexity of this place.

Istanbul is a city that straddles two continents — European on one side and Asian on the other — and the richness of that dual identity is felt everywhere. Its architecture is a living work of art, layered with the histories of the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and modern-day Turkey. The presence of these civilizations is not just preserved but vibrantly alive in the city’s atmosphere.

Out of all my travels, I can honestly say Turkey is one of the safest and cleanest countries I’ve visited. The people are humble, kind, and welcoming, and getting around is incredibly easy thanks to an efficient network of metros, buses, and ferries — all of which are impressively clean. It's also surprisingly affordable: a ferry ride costs just 27 Turkish Liras (around 50 cents), and a scenic 75-minute boat tour was only about 200 Liras (roughly $5). An absolute steal! Turkey also stirred memories of my birthplace, Marrakech, Morocco. There’s a familiar energy and warmth here, but on a much grander scale.
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I’ve only scratched the surface of what Istanbul has to offer, but soon I’ll be heading south to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital. From there, I plan to explore the ancient cities of Kuşadası and Ephesus, followed by the Turkish Riviera — before finally crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Athens, the birthplace of democracy and the foundation of the Western world.