I woke up Tuesday morning in Switzerland to an email telling me to find a flight that day to Istanbul. This trip was finally on!!!
I wish I could tell you all about Istanbul and share photos - but the truth is I've been so crazy busy that the only photos I've taken are of the inside of hotels and apartments.
A friend I met shortly after I moved to Brazil (who, like me, moves a lot) gave me some advice I still try and live by: for the first 3 months after you move anywhere, anytime someone invites you to do something you have to say YES. Doesn't matter how tired you are or what else you have planned, you say yes. It forces you to get out and meet people, see things and when people see you out it encourages them to get to know you and to include you in invitations. Soon you are part of a network of friends.
With his advice in mind, when the contact who was helping me look at apartments invited me to join her at an event mid-afternoon I said yes.
Which is how I found myself standing in the middle of an amazing designer's (Ozlem Suer) studio, with a group of Istanbul's "ladies who lunch" watching an intimate fashion show. The clothes were to DIE for, the models were so close I could reach out and touch them and the ladies who attended were so chic and elegant. They were drinking champagne and Chambord eating elegant finger foods and amazing desserts.
I felt like I'd stepped into the most amazing world. I hope the rest of my experiences here are equally jaw dropping and unexpected.
This song is an old one, but when I saw the models walk through the house in their amazing dresses on those insane shoes their attitude brought this video to mind - and it is a good reminder to me to stay open to the possibilities here. En Vogue: Free Your Mind
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23 comments:
Oh, wow, have a great time in Istanbul! I admire you for your spontaneity!
Ok, so I had a bit of a problem here... I wanted to add to have a fantastic weekend!
I'm a bit jealous - how awesome is that?! Soak it all in for me will ya?!
Hey Jamie....I'm overdue for blog hopping, so just catching up. How exciting to be in Istanbul, but right after you finished getting your space just the way you wanted it. Oh well, it will be there waiting when you get "home".
If it's any consolation, I too am eating the leftover Halloween candy.
Your friends advice about the first 3 months is wonderful. I love it. Sounds like it panned out with that fashion show.
My brother used to travel to Turkey when he worked for LLBean. I'll ask him about any must dos.
Hope things are getting off to a good start.
oh how fun I would imagine myself being an ultrarich person getting a private viewing trying to decide on just the right outfit for the upcoming luncheon. good advice from your friend too. that would help even the shyest of us make new friends and see more things.
Lucky you! Sounds like life in Istanbul is off to an amazing start! We will all get to live vicariously through your posts. Can't wait for photos:)
Thanks so much for your kind comment today over at MM!
Happy weekend to you. Enjoy!
Wow! sound like fun and a really good start. Can't wait to talk to ya
Saying yes is such a good mindset to live by. Even if you don't move a lot, you might be surprised what you discover. Intimate fashion show doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but it would be something so different! Can't wait to see what else you will find.
I am so happy that you are having fun.
I just loved Istanbul! Such a beautiful and vibrant city! Enjoy and share more photos!!!
That sounds awesome! And what a good tip for anyone! Even the world traveler! But I can see that when moving, always saying yes gets you set in no time! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures!
What a great experience Jamie!
Hope you have many, many more ahead in Istanbul.
What a wonderful new adventure Jamie and a lovely afternoon to start with. I visited Istanbul more than 20 years ago and loved it. A trip up the Bosphorous is a must and I am sure an invite for that will turn up soon. It's a colourful and inspiring city. Have lots of fun. Liz :)
What a great adventure. Love all your travel stories. I hope you have much fun in Istanbul.
Oh my Gosh, how exciting! That is great advice your friend gave you, I wish I had known that when I was your :) Happy exploring Istanbul!
Wow - lucky you! What good advice to follow.
I wish I was 1/4 as adventurous as you are. Way to be living it up in Europe!
Love that advice! Wishing you more good fortune.
What a great way to live..open minded..good for you Jamie...thanks for sharing what you experience during. your travels...cna't wait to see what you have for us next!
ox
Your friend's advice is solid.. glad you had such a fabulous experience as that fashion show. sigh....my life seems dull now. ;-)
AWESOME!!! I can't wait to hear about more adventures...so cool. How far is the flight to istanbul from here??? :)
What great advice, and what a fabulous first adventure! Amazing photo!
Dear Jamie, I miss you. Every time I read one of your blogs I want to have a girls' weekend. Then I have to remind myself that you are on the other side of the world. Please, when you come home, can I come over and play? Or you could come here. I miss you. Have a marvelous time adventuring away. I can't wait to read and then hear all about it! I love you, my friend!
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