ABOUT

We are three foreigners, who are happy where we find ourselves living in Istanbul, the city where east meets west (and you can eat your lunch covered in melted butter!). 

This is the story of how we are discovering Istanbul in our everyday lives, mostly by accident, sometimes when we stop to stroke stray cats and often by talking to strangers. 

Who we are:  

Alina, is descended from the fierce and restless nomads of the Russian Steppes and came to Istanbul via the United States of America. She married an Armenian Turk and soon discovered that Skype wouldn’t do, especially when you are related to 700 shouty people, who all want to meet the baby.

Tracy, is descended from less fierce Irish and English settlers who migrated to Africa in the 1800s and then failed at farming and fighting. She lived in Thailand before ending up in Turkey, due in some part, to an inability to fill out forms properly.

Elvira, is a photographer, who was born in Crimea and has chosen to make Istanbul her home because she thinks that it is the most colourful and photogenic city in the world.