My name is Maureen, but I commonly go by Moe (or Meryem locally). I was born in Germany and have dual citizenship with America. Already balancing two cultures, I added a third when I moved to Istanbul in early 2009 from Seattle and currently living in the "old" European side.
When and how did you decide to move to Turkey? Is it complicated to settle down there?
In Germany, we have a lot of Turkish people. The more I studied the relationship between the two, I saw how often it was rather prejudice towards Turks, so I decided to see for myself what it was all about. Came here with the intention of just staying for one week and fell in love with Istanbul and Turkey in general more than I could have imagined. Moving some place new is always complicated, but Turkish people are extremely helpful and warm. There is a huge community of expats as well that answer all questions you can think of and really created a safety net for each other.
Have you ever lived abroad before? How many countries have you lived in or visited?
As a small child we moved around a bit as my dad was American military, but we settled in New York and then Seattle. I pretty much stayed there and just traveled from that point. I've spent a lot of time in Europe using my relatives' homes in Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland as jumping off bases for exploring. I've also been to some of Asia as well. I always knew I wanted to live outside the US though. And now that I am living in Turkey, we're exploring surrounding countries. In total I have been to 20 countries and that number seems really low to me! I want to keep going!
What do you like the most about Turkey/Istanbul?
Istanbul has a certain energy. Generation Y currently makes up a whopping portion of the population so the city has a vibrant and ever expanding cafe scene and night life. You have the feel of Paris or Berlin but with other elements that make it exciting. Concerts galore, even some along the Bosphorus and always unique events happening every week. The food culture, where you and big group of friends just occupy a table for a whole evening sharing plates of food made with olive oil, mezzes (dips) and clinking together glasses of raki (alcoholic beverage made with anise). It's really such a casual environment with such a unique feeling. Breakfasts start late and last all day and no one says a thing as you sip tea after tea while finishing a crossword puzzle.
How is/was the cultural shock? What are the main differences with USA, your home country?
Turkey in general is just so different from the organized, structured societies I know from Germany and also in Seattle. Istanbul can be extremely calm, almost lethargic and then wild chaos. In the beginning the crowds seem stifling, but after a while you learn how to flow with it. We're sticklers for the environment in Seattle, here there isn't the same education and that still breaks my heart a bit, but slowly things are coming around.
How was the adaptation process (language, culture, etc.)?
The culture is pretty casual. There are no strict rules that need to be followed, so adapting has been pretty easy. Istanbul is very foreigner friendly. It really accommodates us and has for centuries. I am true believer that language is key to making everything easier. I am able to talk to the police during an emergency, talk to my doctors, not hold back a conversation with Turkish friends and understand PA announcements when the ferry breaks down in the middle of the sea. Being able to help myself and explain myself has made life so much easier.
Do you miss anything from your homeland?
I miss my friends and family. Missing out on those big events or lunching with my mom. I also miss food. Most things can be found here, but sometimes it comes down to a really specific brand or taste. I always reserve one whole suitcase for food!
Any 'memories of an expat' you would like to share with us? Your best souvenir? Or maybe your worst experience?
My best souvenir is my boyfriend...er I mean fiancé! I have so many memories now, guess it's a good thing I have the blog. I try to let the bad things go since no matter where you live you'll have ups and downs.
What does a typical day as an expat in Istanbul looks like?
Most expats work as English teachers, so their days can start pretty early and meld into the Turks who are also on their ways to work. I'm lucky that I often have the mornings free to enjoy a coffee and then slowly meander to the office. Dressing up for work and wearing suits is still important here, so knowing how to iron is a must! Work usually ends about 5-6pm and everyone typically converges in Taksim or Kadikoy for dinner with friends. Happy Hours are gaining popularity now and with sunny, warm weather foreigners and Turks alike are enjoying those extra hours of sunlight in the evenings.
When did you start your blog? For what reasons?
I started my blog in January 2009 and wanted to not only keep a diary for myself, but also for my friends and family. It's really grown from there. I had never put any pressure on myself to write provocative articles or made it into guide book style. I let it grow organically. I have a "frustated" tag because sometimes I have a terrible few days where I am pissed at the power constantly going out or fears of exploding from using a gas stove for the first time and I'll put it into writing. However, I do try to focus on being more positive, especially since so much of the real news being reported out of Turkey can be so depressing, I'd like to show life here is more than that to people who may not know.
Did you make new friends with your blog?
Many! It usually starts with an email, someone who has just moved here or is thinking about it. We meet up and hit it off. One friend, she wrote me on her first day here and two years later we're good buds. She's a great friend to have and a talented cook. She can whip up all kinds of American goodies like peanut butter cups in a heartbeat.
Why did you register on https://www.expat.com and what do you think of the website?
I like to connect to people who have an interest in Istanbul, but I also like to read blogs from all over the world. There are so many places we would like to visit in the future and are always looking for that local information. It's an ideal source!
Which advice would you give to the other Expat blog members who would like to settle in Istanbul (or Turkey)?
Learning the basics of the language will make your time here easier and also Turks genuinely appreciate it and even get excited if you try even the wobbliest of sentences. Build up a trusted group of friends with expats and Turks alike. Doing it alone can be satisfying, but doing it all with a friend can ease any stress.
