Wanderlust

I went to high school in Istanbul. After school, I used to go to a language school to improve my English. My teacher, Anthony, was an Australian in his mid-thirties who taught there full-time. One day, he told us how he saved every penny so he could travel for as long as possible. My first thought was: I want to do that, too. That’s when the seed was planted – an idea, a longing for a different kind of life.

But it took me a while. As a student, I didn’t dare to travel alone – my English wasn’t very good yet. At 27, I finally talked my aunt into travelling around Türkiye with me. Somewhere along the way, I realised that I prefer to travel alone. Since then, I’ve been to 29 countries. These days, I spend at least a month in each country, so I can really get to know it. Every three months, I get itchy feet – and every three months, I miss home. It’s a blessing and a curse.

Over the years, I’ve tried many ways of travelling, and now I know what suits me best. It helps to know what you enjoy and what you don’t. You get more happy moments, and long trips feel much easier. Above all, travelling has taught me a lot about myself. I love planning, and it comes naturally to me.

Today, I know what I’m looking for. I like staying with locals or in an apartment, so I can cook the dishes I discover along the way. I visit flea markets to get a better feel for the culture. I wander through supermarkets and notice what’s everyday in my culture but not somewhere else. And I leave my comfort zone to have conversations that stay with me and change me.

Looking through old travel photos has become a joy in itself. Short videos bring me right back to that one special moment. If you like photography, take your time with the gallery below, and maybe find ideas for your next trip. Enjoy!