Lale March April 2015

04 MARCH APRIL 2015

MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF ISTANBUL

Table of

CONTENTS

REGULAR ACTIVITIES 08 Groups, clubs and regular activities 09 Istanbul@night

26 24

03 Board letter 04 Neighbourhood coffee mornings 06 Newcomers

CHARITY

40

IWI

HEALTH & FITNESS

58 52

20

12 10 10

02

MARCH / APRIL 2015

MUMS ‘N KIDS

FEATURES 26 Easter spans the globe 30 Black Sea Region to the Tea Glass 34 Spring Theory

CALENDAR PROGRAMS 12 The Art of Cooking Meat 12 Wine tasting party 13 International Law on Mixed Marriages 13 The Grand Bazaar Rooftop Photography Walk 14 A Four-Course Gourmet Meal 14 Kuzguncuk Neighbourhood Walk 15 The Art of Cooking Seafood

40 Meditation in Nature 42 Juice for Life 44 Get Moving

52 Mums ‘n kids news and happenings 56 Mums ‘n kids announcements

PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES 20 IWI Christmas Luncheon 21 Interactive trailing spouse program 21 Cupcake making demo 22 Vietnamese Cooking Demonstartion 22 Lobster Brunch

March April 2015

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS 58 Groups and associations 60 Partner offers 62 Directory 63 Classified ads 64 Policies and advertising

1

IWI BOARD INFORMATION IWI Office Hours: Wednesday from 10:30AM till 1:00PM

IWI BOARD MEMBERS Chairwoman

Nilgün Çoruk

chairwoman@iwi-tr.org

Vice Chair

Milijiana Mihajlovic

vicechairwoman@iwi-tr.org

Treasurer

Nicole Liao

treasury@iwi-tr.org

Secretary

Natalie Vaatz-Deutscher secretary@iwi-tr.org

Membership Secretary

Ayşe Natalie Akcan

membership@iwi-tr.org

Events Coordinator

Elena Sklyarskaya

events@iwi-tr.org

Events Coordinator

Eelin Tham

events@iwi-tr.org

Sponsorship Coordinator

Anne Marie Yilmaz

sponsorship@iwi-tr.org

Lale Editor

Vassiliki Avtzi

lale@iwi-tr.org

Advertising Coordinator

Aylin Gottardo

advertising@iwi-tr.org

Charity Coordinator

Kristina Wilfore

charity@iwi-tr.org

Programs Coordinator

Cynthia Hadatoğlu

programs@iwi-tr.org

Food and Wine Coordinator

Anita Jacobs

food&wine@iwi-tr.org

Newcomers Coordinator (Eur)

Ayşe Yücel

newcomerseurope@iwi-tr.org

Newcomers Coordinator (Asia)

Gabriele Sailer

newcomersasia@iwi-tr.org

Mums n Kids

Chien Fang Lim

mumsnkids@iwi-tr.org

IPWIN Coordinator

Namita Srivastava

ipwin@iwi-tr.org

Liaison Officer

Ebru Demirel

liaison@iwi-tr.org

Charity

Juliana Elerman

charity@iwi-tr.org

Website and Membership Assistant

Esbie van HeerdenÜnsal

esbie@iwi-tr.org

E-Letter Coordinator

Suzy Kaluti

iwieletter@iwi-tr.org

Neighbourhood Coffee Mornings

Sadia Zafar

ncm@iwi-tr.org

Reservations

Cynthia Hadatoğlu

reservations@iwi-tr.org

Book Club 1

Lesley Tahtakılıç

tahtakilic@superonline.com

Book Club 2

Mary Akgüner

mary.akguner@gmail.com

Sponsorship Assistant

POSITION AVAILABLE

Istanbul@night

Anita Jacobs

istanbulatnight@iwi-tr.org

Matbaa/Printer: Marlet Print Solutions Fener Kalamış Caddesi: No:30 Kalamış / İstanbul www.marlet.com.tr +90 216 386 32 16

Digital Media Coordinator

Liliana Lopez

digitalmedia@iwi-tr.org

Digital Media Coordinator

Yongjie Ni

digitalmedia@iwi-tr.org

International Coordinator

Tammy Ni

internationalcoordinator@ iwi-tr.org

IPWIN Coordinator

Ulli Allmendinger

ipwin@iwi-tr.org

Basım Tarihi: 07.02.2015 Sayı: 75

IPWIN Coordinator

Hong Yang

ipwin@iwi-tr.org

Lale Health and Fitness Editor

Ulli Allmendinger

ulliall@yahoo.com

Lale Features Editor

Louise Pye

lale@iwi-tr.org

official Facebook page: facebook.com/istanbulwomen Instagram account @iwistanbul

Lale Editorial Assistant

Nell Rees

lale@iwi-tr.org

Lale Editorial Assistant

Mei-ling Wong-Demirors lale@iwi-tr.org

Adresi / Address: Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Çamlıtepe Sitesi No:74 Blok C1 / D2 Ulus Ortaköy İstanbul – TURKEY Telephone: 0212 287 35 71 www.iwi-tr.org

Dergi Adı/Magazine Name: Lale, Monthly Programme of the International Women of İstanbul Yayını Yapan / Publisher: IWI International Women of İstanbul, Dernek Kod: 34-64/027 İrtibat Adresi / Address: Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Çamlıtepe Sitesi No:74 Blok C1 / D2 Ulus Ortaköy İstanbul – TURKEY İmtiyaz Sahibi/Licensee: Nilgün Çoruk Adresi / Address: Emin Sokak Tamer Apt. No:4/13 Etiler-Istanbul Sorumlu Yazı İşleri Müdürü/ Responsible Editor: Nilgün Çoruk Adresi/Address: Emin Sokak Tamer Apt. No:4/13 Etiler-Istanbul Yayın Türü/Issue Type: Yerel Süreli Tasarım/Design: Marlet Advertising Studios www.marlet.com.tr +90 216 386 32 16

2

IWI BOARD ASSISTANTS

March April 2015

IWI

Dear IWI members, I am very pleased to introduce myself as the new Lale Editor.

Before going any further, I wish to thank here Louise Pye and Ulli Allmendinger for taking care of the Features and Health & Fitness sections respectively. It is so advantageous to have them on board. Also, the wonderful team of copyeditors for their significant behind-the-scenes work and of course, the sine qua non talented writers who give life to Lale wiith their contributions.

I deliberately left in the end my predecessor, Eleanor Ross.

Her positive attitude -responding to my random messages even in the wee hours of the night- and efficient work have been proven priceless to this first attempt of mine. I remain very thankful for her guidance and substantive help.

If you want to go fast, you go alone but if you want to go far, you go with good company; and that is exactly the case with the members of the IWI Board. I am happy to work with these talented, bright women who give much of their time and energy to make IWI what it is.

IWI has been founded by its members to serve its members and it does so for over 40 years now. I am very proud to be part of it. IWI has been offering a nest for foreign women arriving in Istanbul so they feel less “yabanci” and more at home. Charity has always been a quintessential aspect of IWI -this year’s Christmas Charity Festival has been a great success and the Events team has already started the hard work for the Spring Ball. Stay tuned for more info in the next coming issue!

Spring in Istanbul officially starts and invites us to get out and celebrate it. After a long winter, we can see the green fields where tea starts its journey, brush up our skills in Spring Theory of fashion and explore Easter ttraditions. Spring means meditation in the nature, fresh juices and outdoors running while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Istanbul.

Spring means getting out of your comfort zone, because the fun starts only when you step outside.

We hope that you enjoy this issue as much as we had during the process of creating it! We value your comments so, do share your thoughts with us.

Warm wishes,

Vassiliki E. Avtzi lale@iwi-tr.org Lale Editor

March April 2015

3

NEIGHBOURHOOD COFFEE MORNINGS MEET OTHER IWI MEMBERS IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD Depending on where you live, you’ll automatically be added to an email list for your neighbourhood coffee mornings. Coffee mornings are held on the second Wednesday of the month from 10.30am – 12.30pm.

Please be on the lookout for emails from your local area coordinator!

Snaps from recent coffee mornings!

4

March April 2015

NEIGHBOURHOOD COFFEE MORNINGS AREA COORDINATORS AREA

COORDINATOR

CONTACT

Area A/C/F

Etiler, Akatlar, Ulus, Beşiktaş, Levent

Sebti Hasnaa

hasnaasebti@hotmail.com

Area B/J

Tarabya, Sarıyer, Büyükdere, Zekeriyaköy, Kilyos, Uskumruköy

Ee Lin Vaserman

vasermanfamily@gmail.com

Area D

Arnavütköy, Bebek, Rumeli Hisarı, Baltalimanı

Karen Chesnut

karen_chesnut@hotmail.com

Area E

Ortaköy, Levazım, Balmumcu

Dawn Biyashev

dancemachine3@gmail.com

Area G

Nişantaşı, Osmanbey, Şişli/Fulya, Gayrettepe, Esentepe, Tepebaşı, Teşvikiye, Maçka

Milijana Mihajlovic Mary Akgüner

milijanak@gmail.com mary.akguner@gmail.com

Area H/I

Yeniköy, İstinye​, Maslak, Reşitpaşa, Emirgan

Szilvia Nagy

szilviaboldva@gmail.com

Area K

​Kemer, Göktürk

Stephanie Machoi

stephanie@frauenzeitalter.de

Area L

​ eyoğlu, Taksim/Tünel, Sultanahmet, B Harbiye​, Fatih, Gümüşsuyu/Eyüp, Cihangir/ Topağacı, Gaziosmanpaşa/Kabataş

Ayşe Yufkayürek

ayse.yufkayuerek@gmail.com

Area M

Maltepe, Kadıköy/Üsküdar, Moda, Ataşehir, Kartal, Ömerli, Kücükyalı, Salacak, Tuzla

Lynn Nish

nishlynn5@gmail.com

Area O

​ mraniye,​Ç Ü ​ ekmeköy, Beykoz, Çengelköy, Anadolu Hisarı, Beylerbeyi, Kanlıca​, Kandilli, Polonezköy, Kavacık

Valerie Celebi

​valeriecelebi@superonline.com

Area P

​ üyükçekmece​, Küçükçekmece, Hadımköy, B Bakırköy, Ataköy, Yeşilköy, Yeşilyurt, Bahçeköy/Bahçelievler, Güneşli, Yenibosna, Beylikdüzü, Halkalı, Bahçeşehir, Bağcılar, Esenyurt, Küçükköy

Boglárka Erdélyi

erdelyi.boglarka.bme@gmail.com

Area Y

Caddebostan, Fenerbahçe, Erenköy, Kalamış, Suadiye, Valideçeşme, Göztepe​, Bakkalköy, Çiftehavuzlar, Şaşkınbakkal, Küçükbakkalköy, Bostancı

March April 2015

Members living in Area Y are invited to attend the Asian Side Newcomers Coffee mornings.

Please refer to Newcomers Page of this Lale for more details.

5

NEWCOMERS ARE YOU A NEWCOMER?

Welcome!

IWI holds get-togethers over coffee especially for newcomers every month, on both the Asian and European sides.

EUROPEAN SIDE COFFEE DORU RESTAURANT - ATLI SPOR CLUB, MASLAK

ASIAN SIDE COFFEE ZAMANE KAHVESI, BAĞDAT CADDESI

Newcomers are welcomed to get together on the third Thursday of every month for a coffee and a friendly chat.

The Asian side newcomers coffee gatherings are also popular with Asian side IWI members who have been in Istanbul for a while... Join this vibrant group of welcoming women to establish new friendships – or renew existing ones. Hosted by Gabriele Sailer.

Ayşe will be there to greet you with a smile and introduce you to other new members.

DETAILS

DETAILS Date

Third Thursday of each month

Time

10am – 12 midday

Venue

Date

Second Tuesday of every month starting from September

Istanbul Atlı Spor Kulübü Galatasaray Nevzat Özgörkey Binicilik Tesisleri Doru Restaurant ( Galatasaray , Atlı Spor kulübü ) inside on the grounds of Atli spor Maslak Üçyol Mevkii Sarıyer Tel: 212-286-996410mins walk from the ITU metro stop

Time

11.30am - around 1.30pm

Venue

Zamane Kahvesi, 1st floor, Bağdat Cad. 403, Suadiye (behind Derishow showroom, opposite Türkcell, after Marks and Spencers if you’re walking towards Bostancı)

Cost

Pay as you order

Reservations

Not required

Reservations

Not required

Contact details

Ayşe Yücel - 0532 356 38 43

Contact details

Gabriele Sailer – 0546 234 28 35

6

March April 2015

NEWCOMERS

Dear ladies, Thank you very much for making the Newcomers Coffee Morning yet another success. It was wonderful meeting each and everyone of you coming from many different parts of the world.

Welcome to Istanbul and IWI. We hope we will make you feel at home and foster deeper our friendship.

Looking forward to seeing all of you again.

Best regards, Ayse Y端cel Newcomers European Side Coordinator newcomerseurope@iwi-tr.org

March April 2015

7

GROUPS, CLUBS AND REGULAR ACTIVITIES IPWIN

PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

IWI WEEKLY OFFICE HOURS

IPWIN, the International Professional Women of Istanbul Network, welcomes all women who are working, seeking employment, or unable to work in Turkey for legal reasons. Our members meet monthly at our IPWIN ‘first Wednesday’. The ‘first Wednesday is an informal get-together based around a specific topic, and is aimed at professional development and networking in a relaxed environment. We also schedule special events through the year featuring business-related topics.

Contact: ipwin@iwi-tr.org

The photo club is a group of international members whose skill levels vary from very basic to semiprofessional – but who all share the desire to capture the world in a photograph and to explore Istanbul while doing so. The group discussion includes all current event information, bi-weekly photo challenges, tips and tricks, and general photography topics.

Contact: Fay Magnusson photoclubofistanbul@gmail.com

The IWI office hours are on Wednesdays from 10:30 -1:00. Our new office is nice and bright and has a lovely garden. Feel free to drop in for a chat or if you have any questions.

Ahmet Adnan Saygun Caddesi No 74, Çamlıtepe Sitesi Block C1/D2, Ulus 34347 0212 287 3571 There’s a map at the back of the magazine!

BOOK CLUB

ISTANBUL@NIGHT

Istanbul@night offers a regular opportunity for IWI members, their spouses and friends, to get together and enjoy a few drinks in a fun, new and interesting spot in the city.

Everyone is welcome for a relaxed and sociable evening to enjoy some of the best Istanbul has to offer!

Istanbul@night takes place on the last Thursday of every month.

Look out for more details in the newsletter and on the IWI website.

There is no cost to attending, just come and along and pay for what you order.

Contact: istanbulatnight@iwi-tr.org

8

There are two IWI book clubs. Book Club 1 is currently over-subscribed, but Book Club 2 is open to new members!

Contact: Mary Akgüner (Book Club 2) mary.akguner@gmail.com

TENNIS CLUB

If you enjoy playing tennis please join our group! Teams are based on skill level and we welcome all players from beginners to intermediate and advanced. Tennis Group takes place at Torch Tennis in Tarabya.

Contact: Kenan Dündar kenandundar911@hotmail.com 0535 390 4983

March April 2015

GROUPS, CLUBS AND REGULAR ACTIVITIES

Istanbul@Night Champagne Tasting Event

Anita is the coordinator of Istanbul@night – a regular opportunity each month to meet on a Thursday or Friday evening with other members over good wines and bites. All IWI members are welcome – and they are also encouraged to bring along their significant others or friends.

We have tasted 3 wonderful sparkling wines under the guidance of two wine experts.

Last bottle was chopped in a traditional way with the special knife instead of being opened from the cork.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our next event.

Kind regards, Anita Jacobs foodandwine@iwi-tr.org Food And Wine Coordinator

March April 2015

9

CALENDAR

March M O N D AY

T U E S D AY

W E D N E S D AY T H U R S D AY

F R I D AY

S AT U R D AY

S U N D AY

01 The Art of Cooking Meat

02

03 Asian Side Newcomers Coffee

09

10

04

05

06

07

08

12

13

14

15

20

21

22

27

28

29

Neighbourhood Coffee Morning

11

European Side Newcomers Coffee

16

17

18

The Grand Bazaar Rooftop Photography Walk

23

10

Wine Tasting Party

19

A Four-Course Gourmet Meal

Istanbul@night

24

25

26

March April 2015

CALENDAR

April M O N D AY

T U E S D AY

W E D N E S D AY T H U R S D AY

01

F R I D AY

S AT U R D AY

S U N D AY

02

03

04

05

09

10

11

12

17

18

19

25

26

Neighbourhood Coffee Morning

06

07

Kuzguncuk Neighbourhood Walk

13

08

Asian Asian Side Side Newcomers Newcomers Coffee Coffee

14

European Side Newcomers Coffee

15

16

The Art of Cooking Seafood

20

21

22

23

24

Istanbul@night

27

28

March April 2015

29

30

11

PROGRAMS THE ART OF COOKING MEAT

WINE TASTING PARTY

A series of 3 hands-on cooking classes with the famous chef, Murat Bozat: The art of cooking meat , A four-course gourmet meal, The art of cooking seafood

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (8 MARCH)

Our Gourmet Guru, Ayse Yucel has organized a special master “hands-on cooking” class with chef Murat Bozok at his culinary school. At this cooking course you will be learning the techniques of cooking different kinds of meat in different ways.

Murat Bozok is a young and very talented chef. He studied at the Johnson and Wales University in the USA and has worked with Pierre Cagnaire at a Michelin Star Restaurant and at the 3 Michelin Star Royal Hospital Road, which is under the Gordon Ramsay holding. After a few years of experience with master chefs in the USA, England and Paris he moved back to Istanbul to start his own restaurant “Mimolett” to gain the first Michelin stars in Turkey. Now Murat Bozok is working on his new project “MBK Istanbul”, a culinary school to share his experience with new chefs. This cooking course with master chef Murat will include the following menu: 1. Learning to braise lamb shoulder over a slow flame for a few hours 2. Cooking filet mignonette with mushroom sauce 3. Mediterranean style potatoes 4. Making a hamburger to perfection Complementary wine and all beverages will be included. A fruit sorbet will be served for dessert. Please note: The regular price is 140 tl but for IWI members the price will be 120tl.

Date

Friday, March 6th, 2015

Time

10:45 am – 2:30pm

Location

International Wine & Spirits Academy (near Şişli- Mecidiyeköy metro stop)

Discounted cost

120 TL in cash only

Participants

Maximum 7, Minimum 6

Reservations

Online at the website: www. iwi-tr.org

Deadline

Monday, March 3nd, 2015

Person to contact

Ayse Yucel

Contact Details

reservations@iwi-tr.org

12

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future all over the world.

IWI Istanbul@night coordinator Anita Jacobs invites you to a wine tasting party according to the International Women’s Day (8 March) on Saturday evening 7 March 2015 at Lotus Evleri Sitesi, in Ortakoy.

Event Details: Bring a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy the evening trying some new tastes! Each bottle will be anonymously presented on the table. Play with me the quizzzz: ‘How good do you know wine?”

Guess and vote for your favorite wine and win an excellent quality bottle of wine! During the event wine will be served accompanied with different kind of cheeses and appetizers.

Date

07 March 2015

Time

7.30pm – 24.00 pm

Event

Wine tasting party

Place

Lotus Evleri Sitesi, Cafetaria Ortakoy

Attendees

Minimum 10, maximum 30

Price

30,- TL

Reservations

foodandwine@iwi-tr.org

Reservation deadline

20 February 2015

Please note: A reservation made is a reservation paid — any cancellations after the RSVP deadline are payable in full.

March April 2015

PROGRAMS INTERNATIONAL LAW ON MIXED MARRIAGES A TALK GIVEN BY DR KAREN AKINCI

THE GRAND BAZAAR ROOFTOP PHOTOGRAPHY WALK

We are pleased to introduce this fascinating program, whereby Dr Karen Akinci will talk of the topics that can arise in marriages between Turkish and foreign people. Most of the topics arise because the legal systems (and therefore the natural expectations) of the two may vary greatly. The applicable law may often bring with it many surprises. There are often surprises concerning inheritance and national duty (like military service for the boy children even if they have never set foot in Turkey). Karen will talk in length about custody law, simply because it is very different in Turkey to the West and may be very surprising for the foreign woman – often pleasingly so. She will also talk about rights and obligations under a marriage with a Turkish person that may differ from what might be expected.

This very popular photography walk brings you through the back streets of Sultan Mehmet II’s Grand Bazaar to the areas where time stands still. We go through its narrow passages, through a labyrinth of streets; onto it’s varied rooftops and into it’s dignified Byzantine Caravansaries, where we visit Armenian silversmiths and Kurdish textile wholesalers. A delight for the eyes. We see many different views of this wonderful city with all its contrasting light and colors, domes, skyscrapers, seas and bridges. From the crowds to oases of silence. We can have lunch in a wonderful restaurant from the southeastern city of Mardin or a simple tea and borek on the way.

Karen, who in the past has written several articles for our Lale magazine, has lived in Turkey for over 20 years and is married to a Turkish gentleman and has three children who were brought up in Turkey. Karen and her husband, who is also a professor of law in Galatasaray University, run a law office in Bebek, which primarily deals with international law. They have a large department for international family law and are well known for their work in parental child abduction cases - where a parent abducts a child to Turkey from their home country or abducts the child out of Turkey without the permission of the other parent. Please join us for this unique and informative discourse at the Akinci Law Offices in Bebek.

Monica Fritz is a fine art photographer, and traveler, living away from her native New York City more than half her life, 10 years in Milano and going on 20 in Istanbul. Monica delights in sharing her curiosity and enthusiasm exploring light, a moment, and the subtleties of the city. http://fritz18.blogspot.com.tr/ All you need is a camera (any type) and comfortable walking shoes and if you prefer just to feast with the eyes instead, all are welcome.

Date

Monday, March 23rd, 2015

Time

10am (duration approximately 4 hours)

Date

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015

Meeting Point

Cemberlitas tram stop

Time

10am – 11:30am (1 hour talk followed by a short question period)

Cost

35TL (lunch extra)

Venue

Akinci Law Office Bebek Mah. Cevdet Paşa Cad. No:55 Akıncı Apt. Bebek

Participants

Maximum 15, Minimum 10

Reservations

Online at the website: www. iwi-tr.org Thursday, March 19th, 2015

Cost

Free

Deadline

Participants

Maximum 40

Person to contact Cynthia Hadatoglu

Reservations

Online at the website: www. iwi-tr.org

Contact Details

Deadline

Friday, March 6th, 2015

Person

Cynthia Hadatoglu

Contact Details reservations@iwi-tr.org

March April 2015

reservations@iwi-tr.org

Please note: A reservation made is a reservation paid — any cancellations after the RSVP deadline are payable in full.

13

PROGRAMS A FOUR-COURSE GOURMET MEAL

KUZGUNCUK NEIGHBOURHOOD WALK

If you attended the first “hands on cooking” class with master chef Murat Bozok then you already know how informative and innovative his classes are. You don’t only learn how to cook a certain meal but you also learn more about ingredients and the ways to prepare them in a delicious manner. What’s even more enjoyable about the class is that you will be enjoying the delicious masterpieces you prepare, while you cook.

This time our master chef Murat Bozok will be demonstrating a Four-Course meal that will impress your family and friends: 1. Green pea soup 2. Confit salmon with grilled leaks 3. Quail with bulgur sweet and sour risotto 4. Earl Grey Crème Brûlée Complementary wine and all beverages will be included.

Date

Friday, March 20th, 2015

Time

10:45 am – 3:00pm

Location

International Wine & Spirits Academy (near Şişli- Mecidiyeköy metro stop)

Discounted cost

120 TL in cash only

Participants

Maximum 7, Minimum 6

Reservations

Online at the website: www. iwi-tr.org

Deadline

Monday, March 16th, 2015

Person to contact

Ayse Yucel

Contact Details

reservations@iwi-tr.org

Please note: A reservation made is a reservation paid — any cancellations after the RSVP deadline are payable in full.

14

Kuzguncuk is a small fishing village in the Üsküdar district on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and was once home to Greeks, Jews, and Armenians. In the 15th century, following their expulsion from Spain, it is estimated that as many as 40’000 Jews (Doğan Kuban, Istanbul: An urban History) settled in the Ottoman Empire, with this area being known as “Little Jerusalem” and the Jewish settlement going back to as early as the Byzantine Period. Armenians began moving into the area in the 18th century. There was also a large Greek community, evident from the multiple churches. There were so few Muslim Turks living in this area that there were very few mosques and none until the Üryanizade Mosque which was built by the water in 1860. Over the years following the departure of the area’s long established minorities, the ethnic make-up of the area changed drastically, as immigrants from Anatolia, mainly from the Black Sea region, moved into the area.

On this walk, Nilüfer Ilkaya, a professional tour guide of nearly 20 years experience and also a resident of the area, will introduce to us some of the facets of this unique neighbourhood with its architecture, historical mansions, churches, synagogues, mosques, artist studios and cobblestone paved streets.

Please come prepared for walking and discovering in this unique tour of this historically rich neighbourhood and for those who wish to prolong the visit, lunch will be proposed after the walk.

Date

Monday, April 13th, 2015

Time

10am (approximately 4 hours duration)

Meeting Point

Üsküdar Iskelesi

Cost

30TL (lunch extra)

Participants

Maximum 20, Minimum 15

Reservations

Online at the website: www. iwi-tr.org

Deadline

Thursday, April 9th, 2015

Person to contact

Cynthia Hadatoglu

Contact Details

reservations@iwi-tr.org March April 2015

PROGRAMS THE ART OF COOKING SEAFOOD

For the final hands-on cooking experience with master chef Murat Bozok, our Gourmet Guru Ayse Yucel has requested a class on how to cook seafood. We know that fish and shellfish can be quick cooking, tasty, and super healthy and the trick to incorporating more seafood into your diet is knowing how to cook it and finding recipes that you love. In this class you will discover not only how to prepare it, but also different methods of cooking, as well as its nutritional benefits.

Seafood menu: 1. Cooking shrimp bisque soup 2. Learning the technique of deboning fish: steaming one half of a 3. Levrek in jasmine tea leaves 4. Sautéing the other half of the Levrek in olive oil 5. Preparing wild rice salad Complimentary dessert, wine, and beverages will be served.

Enrich your culinary skills with us and surprise your friends by cooking these mouthwatering meals.

Date

Friday, April 24th, 2015

Time

10:45 am – 3:00pm

Location

International Wine & Spirits Academy (near Şişli- Mecidiyeköy metro stop)

Discounted cost

120 TL in cash only

Participants

Maximum 7, Minimum 6

Reservations

Online at the website: www. iwi-tr.org

Deadline

Monday, April 20th, 2015

Person to contact

Ayse Yucel

Contact Details

reservations@iwi-tr.org

Please note: A reservation made is a reservation paid — any cancellations after the RSVP deadline are payable in full.

March April 2015

15

IWI THE BEST MOMENTS OF THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2014

16

March April 2015

IWI Looking back at the IWI Christmas Festival 2014 that proved to be the cultural event of the city, we would like to review the best moments of it.

525 participants of the festival had been working that day.

They were the shopping area stallholders, food court hosts, and, of course, our loyal volunteers.

More than 2.500 visitors attended the IWI event. It was about 1.000 people more than the last year at Grand Hyatt hotel.

That became a real challenge for the Entrance Team since all entrance tickets had been sold out by 1o’clock.

50 selected commercial stallholders joined the festival to offer a fantastic mix of Christmas specialties, art, jewelry and décor objects, textile and many other must-have accessories.

21 teams were working at the Food Court, which gave an impression of fabulous feast. And it was a real hit of the event!

An incredible variety of the Asian cooking was featured this year thanks to Ee Lin Vaserman, our super Events Coordinator who managed to involve so many wonderful expat ladies from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Thailand and Vietnam to amaze visitors with incomparable Asian flavours. The other international cuisines were represented by Brazil and Portugal, Italy, Ukraine and, of course, Turkey.

The teams not only surprised us with delicious dishes, tempting desserts and creative take-away offers, but also all together they significantly contributed to the IWI charity fund.

4.961 TL - the most amount of money raised of all Food Court teams by Brazil and Portugal. Under the leadership of beautiful Claudia Demasi, ladies set 6 eye-catching tables and prepared scrumptious, varied foods and national drinks. Keep up the great work!

7.500 TL - the fantastic contribution of Istanbul Accueil, which generated the most amount of money among National Groups.

This year only 4 groups could participate in the festival: Italian, French (Istanbul Accueil), Swedish and Turkish Groups. We are very grateful for their personal efforts, proceeds and, without question, for creating intercultural atmosphere!

Overall our association will be able to donate 75.000 TL. Our Charity Coordinator Kristina Wilfore is working on selecting charities, which IWI is going to support. As in the past years, the total charity funds will be disbursed in the end of the financial year after the annual Spring Ball.

March April 2015

The 7th of December became indeed a day full of joy, fun and festive spirit and a VERY good end of the year. WE THANK EVERYONE for the invaluable contributions of time, efforts, energy and financial support!

Special thanks are extended to the Sponsorship Coordinator Anne-Marie Yilmaz and Newcomers Coordinator Ayşe Yücel, who contacted countless numbers of potential sponsors for lottery prizes and, of course, to the businesses who turned back with generous donations of cash, products and services!

Thanks go to our volunteers – enthusiastic IWI members and friends, parents and their children, and, of course, husbands – all who helped the Events Team to make this day special and unforgettable! A big thank you to Marine Boixiere who worked hard to contact all volunteers, put them into teams, schedule their shifts and finally kept her eyes on them during the festival!

Thanks must go to Mums’n’Kids Coordinator Chien Fang Lim and Maria Petersen Çiftgül who organized so popular and so essential kids area!

Deepest appreciation to Hakan Ünsal who performed the hard, hot, but out of question rewarding job of Santa Claus!

Many thanks to Jose Reina (Istunclub photo) and Michelle Karahan for the excellent photos of the day!!

We owe a special word of gratitude to Selin Kaluti, our design force, for the continuous cooperation with the Events Team!

We also express our appreciation to the Hilton Special Events Team for being professional and the hotel’s staff for being helpful and flexible!

We thank all of YOU who donated books, DVD’s and table games, who cooked delicious sweet treats for the IWI Bakery station!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH and SEE YOU AT OUR NEXT MUST-VISIT EVENT – IWI ANNUAL SPRING BALL! On behalf of the Events Team 2014-2015,

Elena Sklyarskaya

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IWI

Join the IWI Board & IWI Teams!

• Do you want to sharpen your professional skills?

• Do you want to learn a completely new skill?

• Do you have some extra time on your hands?

• Do you have excellent people skills?

• Do you want to meet people from all over the world and join a fun team?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, we may have a place for you on the IWI board or teams. Whether you would like to help a little, or to play a more professional role, we would like to speak to you! There’s no need to have a gap in your CV. Gain valuable experience volunteering with IWI while you are in Istanbul.

Current team openings: SUPPORT ROLES Programs Assistant Are you an organisational dynamo? IWI’s programs team needs someone to help receive reservations, write-up program descriptions and help with other administrative tasks as needed. Coming up with ideas for new programs and helping to organise them could also be a part of this role if desired.

Could this be you? Please contact Cynthia Hadatoğlu, our Programs Coordinator, to find out more. You can reach Cynthia at programs@iwi-tr.org.

Sponsorship Assistant Are you keen to be part of a dynamic team and to help the IWI community? The sponsorship assistant will be responsible for maintaining the sponsor database and assisting with IWI fundraising events by contacting sponsors for donations of cash, products, services or raffle gifts. For this role you will need very good communication and organisational skills.

Ability to speak Turkish to at least an intermediate level would be ideal.

Could this be you? Please contact Anne Marie Yilmaz, our Sponsorship Coordinator, to find out more. You can reach Anne Marie at sponsorship@iwi-tr.org.

ALL ROLES ARE VOLUNTARY

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March April 2015

March April 2015

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PREVIOUS

IWI Christmas Luncheon

Join us for a Christmas party full of cheer – Let’s celebrate with the ones we hold dear.

IWI successfully kicked off the holiday season with a welcoming drink German Mulled Wine (Glühwein) and the delicious four-course Turkey lunch, specially arranged by Divan Corporate Executive Chef Giancarlo Gottardo, on December 10, 2014.

The venue – Divan Brasserie in Beyoğlu – indeed delivered its promise to impress, with superb service, attractive contemporary décor and views over the city and the Bosphorus.

During this fun gathering, we were very lucky to have the amazing performance from Melike Konur, the owner and director of DEVA Entertainment. Introduced to the professional stage at age 13, Melike was handpicked

by Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning performer, choreographer Debbie Allen as understudy in the role of the Queen in her production of "Dreams"Currently the director and costume designer of her one woman show, The Deva Cabaret, a modern take on the classic concept which is seen on stages all over Istanbul in upscale venues like Hilton hotel.

The Global audience will soon also be graced with her vocal stylizations on the break-out pop/funk group MVLLA’s soon to be released radio fresh single on 2015.

There is no better way to celebrate the holiday by spending good time with friends, enjoying great food, and dancing the day away!

Text: Tammy Ni

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March April 2015

PREVIOUS Interactive trailing spouse program

It was an inspiring talk encouraging us to look at our lives, where we are at personally, and not to be dependent on situation. We were encouraged to journal and to find and follow our true passions. Jeanette was able to guide us in discovering our individual passions.

Dawn Biyashev Very interesting talk! Jeannette is very lovely and inspiring lady, full of advices for us, newbie expat wives who don’t like to plant tomato and have a typical housewife lifestyle. She’ s been through a lot, and she shares her experiences honestly.

Great opportunity to look at your life from another angle.

Milijana Mihajlovic

Cupcake making demo

Sparkles, sugar and coloured dough. It couldn’t be anything else but fun.

Dressed in our aprons and ready to learn, the meeting was a yummy success.

Houda was a perfect host, so everyone of us could learn how to prepare six delicious and beautiful cupcakes to bring home, starting from the dough and experimenting with different decorations. It didn’t matter how many times we had to repeat each technique, Houda’s patience and kindness guided us to make our creations as cute as possible. The meeting was accompanied by Moroccan tea and delights, and warmed by the laughs and chat of a group of lovely women.

Can’t wait to repeat it!

Azucena Marset Castro

March April 2015

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PREVIOUS Vietnamese Cooking Demonstartion

Vietnamese cooking workshop on the Asian side, what a coincidence!

We learned how to tightly roll perfectly stuffed rice rolls and make different dipping sauces that go with these rolls, and a spicy beef salad - all the ingredients can be found in the local supermarket.

Once all the rolls where rolled, fried and the salad mixed, we all sat down to enjoy ion a great atmosphere a wonderful lunch of healthy cooking.

Thu also treated us with her Sweet Munc Beans soup as dessert. After all of this, each and every one of us went home, fully satisfied and with a full stomach.

And all of that in a great atmosphere of international companionship. A great event!

Also a big thank you to Ayse our cooking coordinator.

Rachele Boldewijn

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Lobster Brunch

This was the first time I had attended a large IWI function and I was really pleased that I came. I brought my husband and a fellow IWI member from Suadiye, catching the ferry from Kadiköy to Beşiktaş. It could not have been an easier trip.The venue was lively and the food very good and well presented. Our table company was excellent and very helpful and informative to someone like me who is still finding her feet in Istanbul.

Thank you Ayse for your hard work yesterday and looking after the 100 or so of us.

Well done!

Sheila Campbell I and my husband very much enjoyed the luxurious lobster brunch at beautiful Shangri-La Hotel. Thank you IWI for arranging!

Kind regards, ThérèseThelin It was superb!!! Food was scrumptious, excellent (smiley) service, good atmosphere... All this at a fantastic price.I only regret not to have taken my kids! They wld have loved it!

We could see that the chefs and waiters were working very hard... Loved it!!

Well done to you and the rest of the team!

Xox Marine Boixiere

March April 2015

CHARITY

IWI Member Priorities for Charitable Giving Although IWI is primarily a social group we developed relationships and funding streams for several Turkish charities over the years. Through a decision of the Board of Directors IWI supports a small number of charities each year with financial contributions raised from events. We report on the work of these charities and encourage members to get involved by volunteering, helping organize fundraisers, and contributing pro bono support for specific projects. Taking into consideration the great talent pool within the IWI membership, we are constantly assessing how the needs of IWI supported charities can be matched with women who have professional experience, fresh perspectives and energy to offer.

Issue Priorities

How the process works

According to members, making a financial contribution is the most valued activity that IWI can do for Turkish charities, followed by recruiting volunteers and helping provide pro bono support. Promoting the work of charities and providing a booth at the IWI welcome day is important, but less so than direct contributions and volunteerism.

As the Charity Coordinator I am responsible for meeting with the IWI-supported charities -- learning about their activities, assessing how our funds are used and vetting new partnerships. In the late spring will make a decision about 2015 IWI charities. Prospective charities will be asked to submit a brief proposal for support of a specific project or activity. We welcome your ideas about charities that IWI should be active with. Given that funds are limited, we support no more than five charities per year.

The vast majority of members who responded to the survey feel that charities focused on women and children should be our priority (69%) as well as education-related organizations (45%). Charities working to prevent domestic violence or contribute to the needs of refugees are a second tier priority.

Third tier priorities include environmental protection, women’s health, disabilities and elder care. There is the least support for working with charities that deal with animal rights and economic development.

Types of Activities

What YOU think: Survey Results

In the fall we asked members to fill out a survey about IWI. Several questions were focused on our charity work. We are using your input to help guide our charitable activities this year. There are literally thousands of charities in Turkey, making a choice on who we support must be governed by some criteria. We aim to support charities working on issues that embody the values of IWI as an organization. We also value needs-based giving, where a contribution of volunteers and donations can have an impact. Charities that are well organized with procedures for operations -- where accountable and transparency is a value -- is also important. The more we are aligned around a set of giving principles, the better we can make selections that are good for the organization as a whole.

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March April 2015

Geographic coverage

The question of whether we should focus our giving in Istanbul only or include groups that are doing Turkey-wide work resulted in 50% of members surveyed who said we should do both, Over a quarter preferred Istanbul only with 10% who would like the giving to be country-wide. Although 17% of respondents did not have a preference.

Type of Financial Support Preferred

IWI can either give resources to the general operating fund of charities or focus our work on project-specific work. The strongest support is for doing both (45%), with a slight preference (at 21%) for individual projects. For the next giving cycle, when potential charities are vetted we will require a brief written proposal. We will give the option for funds to be allocated to general support as well as specific projects.

There are pros and cons to both approaches. General support is often needed for charities to cover basic operating costs, which can be harder to raise funds for, while project specific work allows us to feel invested in specific activities knowing our donation was accounted for on a particular project.

With your gracious support, IWI successfully raised a combined total of TL74,895 from two main charity events in the 2013-2014 season, the Christmas Festival and Spring Ball. TL35,000 was distributed to the following institutions (each receiving an equal proportion).

YORET VAKFI An education program for counselors for children learning conflict resolution tools MAVI KALEM Women's rights and welfare of women/children BOMONTI HOME FOR THE AGED Elder care IZEV Education for down syndrome adults EUROPA DONNA Breast cancer advocacy

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT Mavi Kalem With IWI support in 2014 Mavi Kalem focused on providing school education to children in crisis in the Fener/Balat area of Istanbul. In 2014 they held art activities, museum/theater tours, picnics and much more. They support children's personal development and learning processes in cooperation with the families and volunteer psychologists on a case-by-case basis. The “Girls' Club” for teenage girls offered workshops on confidence, self-impression, body development and reproductive health. In their Women´s Program they provided access to reproductive and sexual health information and held workshops in cooperation with various NGOs and women groups on women´s healthcare rights. Crisis in neighboring countries caused a great deal of migrations to Turkey this year which required Mavi Kalem to accommodate the increase in demand for their services. Syrian immigrants are struggling in border cities as well as the big cities like Istanbul. Mavi Kalem held support activities in their local field office as well as evaluations and observations for other like-minded organizations in cities that have received the most refugees.

Yoret Vakfi IWI’s support of Yoret Vakfi´s Summer Arts Program was a great success in 2014. The goal was to develop a program for disadvantaged children in primary schools while also strengthening democratic attitudes of children through art activities. In order to administer the program Yoret Vakfi recruits student teachers studying Psychological Counseling and Guidance to develop their leadership skills, communication skills, creative drama, music and classroom management skills. With support from IWI and the Swedish Consulate Yoret Vakfi was able to cover the cost of trainers, expenses for the educational supplies (publications, games, and printed material) and transportation costs for a workshop and tour organized specifically for the students at the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art.

IWI CHARITY COORDINATOR KRISTINA WILFORE

March April 2015

For updates on activities and events related to the charities we work with, including a list of additional resources about the nonprofit sector in Turkey, refer to IWI’s Charity Page at http:// www.iwi-tr.org/charity-and-volunteering

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FEATURES

EGGS, BUNS, BUNNIES OR CHURCH: EASTER SPANS THE GLOBE For many people, Easter is a time of religious reflection. For others it’s about eating too much chocolate. Just how did this age old custom become so diverse? As an expat you’re lucky and can mix old family traditions with a multicultural blend that reflects your globe-trotting family.

Read on and then decide how you’re going to celebrate this year!

Holy Asdvadzadzin (Virgin Mary) Armenian Church, in Kumpkapı

My family wasn’t religious, so when I was a little girl in primary school I was always slightly jealous of the other children at Easter. I’d see them emerge from scripture classes clutching Easter bonnets festooned with strips of paper, straw baskets filled with fluffy yellow cotton wool chickens and colourful pictures of the saints. Needless to say this didn’t dampen my enjoyment of Easter egg hunts, eating too much chocolate and coming home dizzy with excitement from the rides and armload of show bags I’d bought at the Sydney Royal Easter show. Even now there are many different ways to celebrate Easter.

I believe in the Easter bunny Whether you’re religious or not, many of the traditions of Easter are part of our wider culture. My strongest memories concern Easter eggs and how many I found after the arrival of the Easter bunny. As the youngest of three my parents always ensured I ended up with the biggest collection, even if it meant taking some from my older brother and sister.

Although from a devout Roman Catholic family, Tracey from Canada told me her mother gave her a solid Easter bunny every year of her life right until the year she passed away.

When Tracey solemnly informed me “You always eat the ears first, everyone knows that,” it brought back childhood memories of nibbling from the ears down and carefully rewrapping the foil to make the rabbit look untouched. It drove my brother to distraction because he’d only ever help himself to the chocolate I’d already started.

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What’s in your egg - chocolate or the real deal?

Interestingly, the Easter bunny pre-dates Christianity and is believed to symbolise spring and fertility. Although today the rabbit has no religious connotations, the egg it delivers does.

Whether Catholic, Christian, Eastern or Western Orthodox, eggs represent rebirth, rejuvenation and immortality. Eggs have been forbidden in the forty days of Lent since early Christian times so their appearance at Easter is cause for celebration. At home we would make a small hole in either end of the egg, gently blow out the yolk and paint the empty shells. As a child Galina* from Bulgaria remembers her grandmother putting flowers and leaves around the eggs and then a net over each one to hold the decorations in place.

The eggs would be boiled in water coloured with pigment, and when they were removed they had the pattern of the leaves and flowers on them.

She described how as “kids we used to go to visit the houses in our neighbourhood and to collect eggs from each neighbour. We used to show off how many eggs we had, you know the different colours … And at school we used to play a kind of game.” The game to which she refers is where you use your egg to break as many other eggs as possible. The winner is the person left with their egg intact. Ani told me that Armenian Turks don’t share this tradition of brightly painting their eggs, but they do play the same game using hard-boiled eggs. Laughingly she told me they also have “this trick with wooden eggs”, but she assured me she never cheated.

In Bulgaria, many people put their remaining gloriously decorated eggs on display in their houses. They can last years for years but beware the smell should they crack!

March April 2015

Not just another holiday For some people Easter is about chocolate eggs and bunnies and having time off work. For other cultures it forms an important part of their religious and social calendars.

According to Ani, for Orthodox Armenians Easter Thursday is the most important day because it was the day that Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples and fed them. She told me “The priest does the same”, washing the feet of three or four children in the congregation. Then on Friday they go to the cemetery to visit family members who have passed away.

As with Roman Catholics, Sunday mass is the main event.

In the Armenian church it is a sombre affair. Everything is covered and there are black curtains on the windows. As Ani says, “It’s closed, it’s black so it’s sort of mourning,” until Easter Sunday when Christ is reborn. Under communism, Easter in Bulgaria was a subdued affair and Galina has few memories of going to church.

In contrast, Tracey’s childhood Easters were loud and joyous.

She told me, “I belong to … a very small parish and you know I’ve known the priest just forever. So they know my family. I would see people there from school, who I worked with and whatever. … There was a lot of singing when I was growing up. You know we had a four piece band that used to play with a tambourine and a triangle. There was a lot of music and a lot of fun associated with the mass.”

Fasting and feasting The culmination of the Easter period for everyone is the end of the fast and the feast that follows shared with family and friends. Tracey remembers seeing her grandparents at church and the larger family gathering where they would eat traditional foods like hot cross buns and a sweet bread loaf that had raisins in it. The tradition of eating a special sweet bread loaf at Easter dates back to antiquity when people gave offerings of bread or small cakes to gods and goddesses.

Some believe the cross represent the horns of a bull, while others claim it is the four quarters of the moon. When I was little, hot cross buns were only available at Easter, harking back to when the Tudors introduced a London bylaw in 1592 banning the sale of these buns except on Good Friday, Christmas and at burials.

This year, make a point of checking out your local pastane or cake shop. Chances are they’ll be selling Paskalya çöreği, eaten

by Orthodox Armenians at this time. Sold throughout Istanbul they sometimes come with an egg baked into the middle.

Galina told me those available at Beyaz Fırın are very similar to the Bulgarian Easter bread called kuzanak because the owners of that pastane originally came from Bulgaria. Kuzanak is bread made from milk, sugar, eggs, butter and raisins, plaited and baked.

According to Galina, “The point is to use a lot of eggs while you’re preparing (it) so that it’s very soft.

The eggs represent Jesus Christ, the resurrection, the rebirth, of his life”. The kuzanak takes centre place on the table, much like the Armenian dish topik.

In the seven weeks leading up To fill that Easter chocolate craving, go to Easter Sunday, Orthodox to Baylan chocolate shop in Kadıköy.

Armenians eat no animal products, no meat, eggs, or milk.

They don’t eat after five or six in the morning until sundown and when they do eat, these products are all forbidden. Topik has all the ingredients in it that you can eat during this time, chickpeas, potatoes, onion, cinnamon, peanuts, and currants.

After more than fifty years my family still gets together every Easter for a picnic that spans four generations and encompasses new traditions as people marry and form new friendships. Whatever your religious or cultural background, Easter is a time for getting together and creating memories that last a lifetime.

The effects of too much chocolate at the Morrow family picnic!

Traditional Bulgarian kuzanak Easter bread

*name changed at interviewee’s request

WRITER: LISA MORROW Lisa Morrow has written two essay collections: Inside Out In Istanbul: Making Sense of the City and Exploring Turkish Landscapes: Crossing Inner Boundaries, writes a blog called insideoutinistanbul.com and writes for ABC Drum Media website and Lale magazine. She has a monthly spot on San Francisco Turkish Radio and has given interviews for Australia’s ABC and SBS radio stations. Lisa lives with her husband on the Asian side of Istanbul.

March April 2015

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SPONSORED ARTICLE: TIME OUT MAGAZINE

SPONSORED ARTICLE

The Escape Plan Just under a year ago, we heard rumors of a couple of so-called ‘escape rooms’ – in which people get locked up and have to find a way out – had opened in Istanbul. Fast-forward a few short months, and it seems that over a dozen have opened their doors (before duly slamming them shut). It is true that Istanbulites have a penchant for latching onto sudden crazes (coffee shops anyone?) But for getting stuck in a room? We didn’t see that one coming. We endeavored to find out for ourselves, shamelessly exploiting the excuse to leave the Time Out office and spend a week playing detective. By Onur Aymete.

ISTRAPPED – Ressam Sevilay

Who is it for? Escape room fans who are all about the thrill of the chase ISTrapped’s second escape room opened at the beginning of December, and was immediately flooded with applicants owing to the success of their first enterprise in Asmalı Mescid (see below). The key difference in this new, bigger premises, is that, where Kütüphaneci Ziya’s house was full of rich details and texts, here the rooms are a lot more simple and striped-down to ensure a fast-paced, gameplay-focused adventure which has you running around her large, four-roomed gallery and art studio one lock at a time. Kuloğlu Mahallesi Erol Dernek Sokak no:7/1 Beyoğlu Istanbul. Prices range from 30-50 TL per person. www. istrapped.com

ISTRAPPED–Kütüphaneci Ziya

Who is it for? Beginners curious about the escape room concept and those who love surprises The city’s first ever escape room experience. Built around the home of humble librarian, Ziya Bey, news of the escape room was a word-ofmouth wonder, eventually bringing it to the attention of the television media and newspapers, who naturally pounced on the idea, sparking the wave of escape rooms you see on the page before you. It is testimony to the effectiveness and the quality of ISTrapped, (as well as to the truism that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery) that the group paved the way for over ten other places to set up their own versions. Due to its popularity however, it is no longer easy to book a session. But if you do manage to book yourself in, refrain from Googling it, as so much has been written on the room by now, and you won’t want to spoil the surprise! Asmalı Mescit Caddesi 29/3, Beyoğlu. Prices range from 30-50 TL per person. www.istrapped.com

EXIST

Who is it for? Those who go goofy over horror movies and haunted houses There are many reasons why this place is more expensive than your average escape room. Firstly, Exist is actually set in a real, detached, old house – and once you find it, you’ll realize immediately it is different to the other houses in the area. Smoke bellows from beneath the entrance of the building where you arrive with little fanfare and are thrown straight into the game. Prepare to share one torch per person, guiding you through dark corridors in a perpetual state of panic about what awaits you behind the next door, only to be thrown back into the cold as you make your speedy escape. Pay no heed to rumors that the Time Out team screamed like little girls. This is just unsubstantiated gossip. İskele Caddesi Selin Sokak 8, Caddebostan. Prices range from 40-60 TL per person. www.exist.kim. To make sure the game will be in English, send an email to existoyun@gmail.com.

DIFFICULTY:

EASY

DEFUSE THE BOMB

Who is it for? Those who fantasize about taking on exciting new identities You are a small team sent to the house of a Russian (why not?) terrorist. Of course, it quickly turns out that it was all an elaborate booby trap, and as soon as the door is closed behind you it locks and triggers the timer on the bomb. As the name quite clearly states, your job is to defuse the timed device, which is due to explode after exactly one hour. A word of advice from the makers of this game, you will enjoy it more if you really get into the role – pressing for advice and info down your walkie-talkies. Bahariye Caddesi Sakızgülü Sokak 31, Kadıköy. Prices range from 24-60 TL per person. www. defusebomb.com

YOU CAN DO IT!

GGOOOODD LLUUCCKK

SPONSORED ARTICLE

EXCAPE Who is it for? Those who are prepared to face a dangerous mission An office full of clues, a hidden secret and an incredibly off-putting timer. In Excape, an hour flies by as you run from room to room; the back story is actually a little tough to understand without reading the website first. Those who succeed in getting away are not so great in number for this game, so pay attention to all the signs around you or you will lose valuable time. Yeni Çarşı Caddesi 21, Galatasaray. www. excape.com.tr

EVDEN FIRAR Who is it for? One for claustrophobes who don't want to miss out The aim: escape the confines of an old, high-ceilinged apartment.

The back-story: a wedding which didn’t quite go as planned. Why such a spacious setting? Because for Evden Firar’s creators, a relaxed atmosphere counts as much as exciting game play. Cezayir Sokak 5, Beyoğlu. Prices vary between 30-50 TL per person. www.evdenfirar. com

ESCAPE PLANET – SHERLOCK

ESCAPE PLANET - EINSTEIN

Who is it for? Those who want to unleash the detective within Captain of the “Turkish Brain Team” Ferhat Çalapkulu, founded Escape Planet with the intention of sticking to the “one-room format”, which is way more preferable when you only have an hour to spend. The room is themed according to the equally simple premise of “what would Sherlock Holmes do?” taking place as it does, in the home of the fictional 19th century detective and furnished rather elaborately with antiques brought all the way from London, and literally covered in clues and mind-boggling brain-teasers. Şehit Muhtar Bey Caddesi 18, Talimhane. Prices vary between 30-50 TL per person. www.escapeplanet.com

Who is it for? Cinephiles and puzzle fanatics The second Escape Planet room, is next door to Sherlock, and is the only game our team couldn’t quite crack, making it founder Ferhat Çalapkulu’s biggest achievement. The setting is like a classroom. More than any of the escape rooms we entered, it pushed us to the limits. Not-to-say it is exclusive to geniuses – in fact, most of the answers to the puzzles used the brain’s most elementary faculties – yet, they possessed a uniquely infuriating element. Don’t give up though, because if need be, you can leave one puzzle and focus on the others at no detriment to the game, thereby also exercising your mind before going back to the real tough cookies. It is worth a visit, if not for the pure satisfaction it gives you to crack at least one of these puzzles. Şehit Muhtar Bey Caddesi 18, Talimhane. Prices vary between 30-50 TL per person. www.escapeplanet.com

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FEATURES

FROM THE HILLS OF THE BLACK SEA REGION TO THE TEA GLASS Legend has it that a woman in the Black Sea Region can lift her weight in tealeaves. From the Georgian border in Eastern Turkey to Trabzon, çaylık (small plots of land with tea bushes), rise from the edges of the roads and up into the steep hillsides. From May to September, women, both young and old, dot the dark emerald landscape. They move among the tea bushes with their sacks and sheers, cutting tea leaves from sunrise to late morning. Many of these women are the descendants of the first villagers who government engineers had to convince that cultivating tea would bring them prosperity.

Ottoman archives show Sultan Abdulhamit II had tea brought from Japan between 1876 and 1909. The first attempts at growing tea in Turkey occurred in Bursa in 1888 and again in 1892. However, these early attempts were unsuccessful. The Turkish Government revived the idea of growing tea in 1917.

Back then, the Turkish struggle for independence was in its infancy and the Eastern Black Sea region was suffering from hard economic times. Two of the government’s agricultural engineers, Zihni Derin and Ali Riza Erten worked together on the tea cultivation effort first publishing a report in 1921 in the Yeni Ziraat newspaper. However, it did not receive much attention. Two years later, Zihni Derin, who was working in Rize, on the Black Sea Coast went to Batum (in present

day Georgia) and brought back tea, tangerine, and bamboo seedlings. While in Batum, he had also placed an order for additional tea seedlings that he planned to distribute in Rize.

When the seedlings arrived, the engineers distributed them, but again, the time was not right; Rize’s inhabitants were not ready to have tea in their lives.

Convinced the region’s climate was suitable for tea, and its cultivation would bring much-needed economic relief, Zihni Derin was unstinting in his efforts. This time, he tried to use the legal system, eventually getting the “Tea Act” passed on February 6, 1924. It stipulated Rize would serve as a center for raising tea, oranges, and filberts. However, the young government’s focus was on governing the new Turkish Republic and they did not allocate sufficient financial resources to tea cultivation and production. The skepticism of the region’s people also did not help, and so the great tea experiment lay dormant for a little more than a decade.

Then in 1935, Prime Minister Ismet Inonu visited the Black Sea region. The agricultural engineers mentioned the benefits of cultivating tea, and Inonu showed great interest. Upon his return to the capital, he ordered the Ministry of Agriculture to devote more attention to the effort. Meanwhile, Zihni Derin had ‘set up camp’ in Rize, determined to realize his vision of bringing tea to the region, but another two years passed without much progress. Finally, the Minister of Agriculture, Şevket Raşit Hatipoğlu, became just as determined as Zihni Derin and the two joined forces in 1938 to bring thousands of seedlings from Batum, Georgia. Their next challenge was to find men to prepare the land into steppes in order to plant the tea.

The engineers ventured into the area’s villages during Friday prayers to enlist men in the effort but the mosques contained neither imams nor worshippers. Instead, they found a few elderly and sick men. The able-bodied men had left their villages and migrated westward to Zonguldak to work in coalmines or to Istanbul to become fishermen on the Bosphorus. Some had even traveled as far as Romania and Poland to find work. The women had remained behind with

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their children and small plots of land, making a subsistence living on corn, beans, squash, beets, and perhaps a few cows.

The Government engineers realized if they wanted to turn their vision of Rize as a tea-producing center into a reality, they would have to convince the women.

The women of the area had a “show me” attitude so the engineers created “model” tea plots close to the road to pique the interest of passersby. Although the women saw these small successes, they calculated they would have to give up precious land and forego growing plants they could eat in order to cultivate something with unknown economic value. This was not an attractive proposition. However, as the women watched the government engineers’ determination and the successful growth of the tea bushes, one-by-one they gave permission for the use of their land.

Today, Turkey is the world’s fifth largest producer of tea, behind China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. The province of Rize is home to 65 percent of the tea cultivated and produced in Turkey. It is here that 202,000 licensed families, mostly the grandchildren, even great granddaughters and great grandsons of those first women tea growers, continue to toil among the tea bushes from May to September. Each morning the women wake up, tie on their folkloric tülbent (colorful headscarf), put on their thick rubber-like pants to protect them from the morning dew and begin a few hours of cutting with sheers. The women are strong and industrious and comprehend the importance these green leaves play in their economic well-being.

The engineers realized that in a region with a subsistence non-cash economy, offering cash incentives might also convince the women. After persistent efforts dealing with the bureaucracy in Ankara, Ali Riza Erten and Zihni Derin convinced the government to provide Ziraat Bank a budget to offer cash incentives. Specifically, anyone who would agree to set up one dönüm çaylık (tea plot) would get 12.5 lira and 625 kuruş for a year’s maintenance for the first two years. As the growers sold the tea, they would pay back the advance.

To put it in perspective, in 1938 a kilo of corn was three kuruş and a laborer’s day wage was one lira, therefore the cash advance for tea was very attractive. Hearing of this offer, fathers, husbands and sons who had migrated west for labor and money, used their vacation time to return to the region to set up their families’ çaylık.

From the first harvest in 1939 the government run monopoly TEKEL purchased 815 kilos of tea leaves from the local growers and from this was produced 181 kilos of consumable tea. Each kilo sold for four liras. Although the engineers had convinced the regional folk to cultivate the tea, their next hurdle was to convince the rest of Turkey to drink it!

Their marketing efforts started small. Bureaucrats in Ankara and associates in Istanbul received sample tea packets and their response was favorable. As the domestically produced tea gained in popularity, it became a source of pride for the people of the Eastern Black Sea region.

By now, Prime Minister Inonu had become President Inonu after the premature death of the country’s first president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. During his visit to the region in 1947, the tea growers met with Inonu, and remarked, “Tea is the apple of our eye.” By 1948, towns and cities further west such as Giresun, Ordu, Surmene, and Araklı, admired Rize’s success with tea, and ventured into cultivating tea as well. Everyone now wanted a piece of the “great tea rush.”

The enthusiasm led towns to change their names; Mapavri became Çayeli and Kadahor became Çaykara. The effects of this rapid and uncontrolled expansion in tea cultivation are evident today along the Black Sea region: in some places, tea plants compete with graves for an inch of land.

WRITER: PELIN AYLANGAN

It is key they pick fresh tea leaves – specifically two leaves and a bud (called iki buçuk, though sometimes three leaves is also acceptable. The young fresh leaves contain the highest levels of caffeine, macro and microelements and enzymes.

It is a well-known fact that the highest quality tea is obtained when the leaves are handpicked using the thumb and index finger and a çıt sound occurs when the leaf is plucked from the plant. However, no one in Turkey today picks by hand. In the 1980s, government officials introduced the sheers, with colorful mesh bags attached to catch the cut leaves, as a way to improve the growers’ efficiency. No one seems to be complaining, except perhaps the leaves. Once the little sacks are filled, they are emptied into larger sacks and taken to the collection stations, and then to the processing factories.

The ritual of daily cutting repeats three times during the tea season. Many of the growers are modern-day sharecroppers; relying solely on tea to support their families is often impossible. Çaykur establishes quotas for the growers, much to their chagrin, and records the volumes purchased in their computer systems. Payments from the government can occur as late as six months after buying the tealeaves. The prosperity cultivating tea may once have afforded this region has all but disappeared. Yet year after year, the women and families of the Eastern Black Sea region toil in the stepped fields simultaneously caring for, and swearing at, the tea bushes.

Photo Credits to LINDA CALDWELL

Pelin Aylangan is a Turkish-American born in Ankara and raised in the States -residing in Istanbul the last four years. She has been a leader within the Turkish-American community in the U.S. She started the Tea in Turkey project in 2003 (see www.teainturkey.com), with the aim of promoting Turkey through its tea culture. She has given talks at various prestigious venues and she has been interviewed by National Geographic. With many of her articles published she is currently completing her book Tea in Turkey: Stories of Leaves & Lives.

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SPONSORED ARTICLE: DENTRAM

7 IMPORTANT SECRETS OF THE BEAUTIFUL SMILE Our perceptions manage us.

If we have never thought of an issue or we have not considered it until that day, when the situation became a problem. The situation appears to be normal, so we also feel indifferent for what happened around us with regards to that issue. This type of circumstance is also the same for aesthetic situations. One day, when one of your friends say to you that “you seemed to have more teeth previously, did you loose some? (now it looks like there are not as many teeth in your mouth)”, your perception immediately gets focused on your teeth and you look for a solution by asking “why?” .

I have been analyzing the smiles of many people every day as an orthodontist, either intentionally or unintentionally. Due to my job, my eyes work to evaluate the face, teeth and smile of the people directly and to end up with a solution and the corrections that are required. My mind automatically starts to list them in the corner of it.

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Dr. Aylin Sezen Yalçın

March April 2015

When you review this list consisting of 7 points listing the requirements of a beautiful smile, I am sure that you will find the responses to a part of your questions. However, first you should be in front of a mirror...

• Are your teeth adequately white??

White teeth ensure that your face looks alive and healthy. The whitening of your teeth is very easy with the support of lasers. You can repeat the whitening process once every year or two years.

• Examine your teeth and lips while you are talking.

We want 1-2 mm of your upper incisors to show and also the cutting edge of your lower teeth to be seen. If while you are talking, only your lower teeth are seen, then it means that a correction is required to be made to your smile.

• Make sure to treat dental cavities belonging to extracted teeth in the rear regions of your jaws in a very short time after the extraction.

There will be bone resorption in the regions which remain toothless for a long duration and the adjacent teeth will slide into the extracted cavity and after a while, there will be no possibility for a new healthy tooth design.

Also, do not think that the tooth cavities in the rear regions are not seen while you are smiling!

• Teeth have genders!

The feminine tooth is wide and with round lines. The masculine teeth have corners and are a medium width.

• Pay attention to corrosion!

Depending on the reasons such as the food eaten, aging or teeth grinding, teeth lose their forms. They become flattened and their lengths get smaller, and thus, they become invisible while you are talking. Protect your teeth from acidic foods and use “night plaque” for a teeth clenching habit.

• Do you have orthodontic problems? Are your teeth perplexed?

How many of your teeth are seen during a full smile?

How many millimeters of your gums are seen? In the ideal smile line, it should be that 10 units of your teeth are visible. Orthodontic problems such as the upper jaw is too narrow or the teeth are laid back negatively affects tooth aesthetics so much.

• Is your face symmetrical?

In facial aesthetics, symmetry is a very important criterion. By putting a mark on the exact middle point of your forehand, nose tip and chin cleft with a pencil, and checking to see that these 3 points are on the same plane, you can discover flaws with the symmetry of your face. Asymmetry can sometimes occur with the continuation of single sided chewing habits for a long duration.

A good cleaning habit is only the basis of a beautiful smile. We recommend daily at least 2 times tooth-brushing and additionally, the usage of dental floss and a water pick.

Dr. Aylin Sezen Yalçın Orthodontist DENTRAM DİŞ KLİNİKLERİ (DENTRAM DENTAL CLINICS)

March April 2015

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FEATURES

SPRING THEORY: Fashion is not predictable; it is an ongoing process of experimentation to achieve an outcome unlike its’ predecessors. And trends, which are the results of such experiments, can reappear even after being dormant for decades. So why do we seem perplexed by crop-tops on the runway when rural women of India wear them everyday? What changes? Trends cannot be explained or quantified. In fact, trends may appear and reappear, but they behave differently from one designer to another. “Spooky action at a distance” is what Einstein said when he couldn’t quite explain a similar phenomenon happening in quantum physics’ string-theory.

Whether it be in physics or fashion, we see in quantum level, even the smallest objects change with human interactions.

Spring 2015 is no different. There are revivals and revolution of trends atypical of what we are used to seeing year after year.

Typically, pastel hues and florals are abundantly used and abused. But not this year. Interactions between uplifting, dark, muted and neutral tones; trips down memory lane from retro to romantic eras with a contemporary appeal; militarization of runways with combat-ready wardrobe; coronation worthy jewellery becomes pedestrian; asymmetrically-balanced designs, and emergence of leather/fur-worshipping cults are a few must-have trends breaking seasonal cliches and designers redefining how we view Spring fashion in Istanbul.

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Time Travel: Beauty of things past changes depending on our views, resulting in revivals and reinvention. Art-Deco inspired designs transport us to a place in time where opulence and grandeur didn’t warrant a special occasion. 2014 ELLE Style Award winner and jewelry designer Melis Goral reminds us that it was just the way people dressed-up everyday. Her collection truly captures the essence of the roaring 20’s with all the luxuries and frivolities of that bygone era. Art-Deco designs are a stonesetter’s nightmare but not a deterrent for Melis Goral; she abandons classic filigree and modernizes each hand-crafted pieces using clean geometric patterns, and highest quality diamonds and precious stones. 1970’s fashion also returned to haunt us with its’ distinct sense of freedom, bohemian lifestyles and free-spirited silhouettes. Spring 2015 has the best interpretation of the pre-disco era style. A highwaisted, wide-leg trousers with a blouse can instantly create a luxe retro look.

However, if pant-suits, fringe vests, bell-bottoms pants, peasant tops and suede patchwork designs are too groovy for your taste, DVF’s famous wrap dresses might be the solution.

The iconic wrap dress, which revolutionized how women dressed in the 70’s, is as true today as it was four decades ago when Diane von Furstenberg designed it in 1974. In the company of Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, Blondie, Halston and the likes at Studio 54, she is a living icon whose dresses are collectible works of art. The wrap dress, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary last year, has truly stood the test of time.

Neanderthal or Nothing: Winter may be officially over but some trends will continue to stay with us throughout the Spring. Faux or fur - don’t send them off into storage just yet. Lightweight fur accents and embellishments in vibrant shades give an instant glamour. A rabbit fur stole, a fur collar topcoat, or a fur vest have become spring season’s essentials for those unexpected chilly evenings. Leather and suede show no signs of deteriorating this season either. Leather apparel staples for Spring are shorts, mini skirts, jackets, sleeveless dresses and gladiator boots/sandals.

Cold Blooded: Authentic or embossed reptile leather handbags are a hot commodity. But not all bags are created equal. Specially, when they cannot roll with the changing sceneries. MyNameis O, designed by Aysegul Kunter, has the perfect collection of handbags this Spring. They are no ordinary bags. Her iconic shopper instantly transforms from a tote to a chic fold-over clutch. The metamorphic quality has the same effect on the outfits it’s designed to accessorize. It takes you from an office to a luncheon; day to night; dinner to an after-party; and from a taxi to a yacht all in the same day. Available in bold-colored snake, lizard or crocodile prints on hand-treated cowhide leather. Kunter’s free-form boxed leather pouches come in deep colors showing off the geometric layout of leather against skins. And each bag is comfortable to clutch in multiple fashion. The softness and malleability of the leather, the soothing reptile textures and her signature hand holders are what make O an all-seasons bag.

For an avid jetsetter, Misela’s travel collections of durable serafina canvas with leather trims or stitches make the perfect companion. The collection can also be monogrammed for personalization. While the “Marissa at Cairo” pouch is perfect for carrying passport and wallet, and chic enough to go dancing with no matter where you are this Spring.

March April 2015

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FEATURES Minor Irregularities:

There is a certain beauty in an asymmetrical object. The unbalanced look is very unique. Asymmetrical hemlines are a prominent trend but it can also define an outfit. A skirt can be short and fitted or long and flowy, letting you decide how much to reveal. And depending on how it’s accessorized, it can be either sexy, edgy or chic. A white penguin-tail or an exaggerated sleeved shirt from Mehtap Elaidi is a season’s must have. They can be paired with leather pants or skinny jeans for a minimal chic look. Mismatched colors, shapes and lengths are at your disposal this Spring.

Art Project: The marriage of art and fashion are without a doubt trending this spring. There is a heavy emphasis on mixed prints, geometric patterns, Mondrian stripes, Pollock’s splashes, watercolor effects, illustrations, and kitsch art. Hande Cokrak, anointed as the “it-girl” of punk-rock fashion, was awarded the Best Young Designer of 2014 by ELLE Style for her label MaidInLove. Her liberated-fit designs in bold prints and patterns resonate Japan’s Harajuku style with a hint of rouge intellectual swagger. A style which has never been attempted before by a Turkish designer. Her clothes bring art and fashion closer than ever before. Ece Gozen, a contemporary of Hande, sees the world through a futuristic lens and lives in a realm of cutting-edge fashion. She incorporates details of geometric and kaleidoscope patterns using hologram/reflector fabrics to create present-day works-of-art. Ece Gozen is paving the way for a neoteric genre in Istanbul’s fashion world.

Arms’ Dealer: World peace has to start from somewhere. What better way to speak out against war and violence than to emasculate military and combat uniforms? Common utility silhouettes such as camouflage-printed gears, cargo pants, parachute trousers, safari jacket/shirts, jumpsuits, and trenchcoats are given an ultra feminine appeal with colorful and delicate fabrics making them the ideal anti-war wear.

Ralph Lauren has done this very effortlessly in his Spring ready-to-wear collection. His Lara Croft-meets-Top Gun looks has everyone protesting for more. Army green utility pants paired with a bright yellow, flowy shirt imply an idealist world we could possibly live in someday. Ralph Lauren’s Spring collection dares to dream.

WRITER: TANZIA AIMI EREL Tanzia A Erel is a native New Yorker and a former lease administrator turned teacher, blogger and a freelance writer. With many passport stamps and border crossings, she has finally settled down in Istanbul with her husband. Her passion for interior decorating has led her to create TheDecorIST, a team of English speaking personal shoppers helping foreigners shop for home goods. You can contact her through thedecorist on facebook and @tanzial at instagram.

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2013 - 2014

Charity Funds With your gracious support, IWI successfully raised a combined total of TL74,895 from the two main Charity events of the 2013– 2014 season – the Christmas Festival and Spring Ball.

TL35,000 was distributed to the following institutions (with each receiving an equal proportion): • YORET VAKFI Education: a program for counselors for at risk children learning conflict resolution tools •MAVI KALEM Women’s rights and welfare for at risk women/children •BOMONTI HOME FOR THE AGED Elder care •IZEV Education for Down’s Syndrome adults • EUROPA DONNA TURKEY Breast cancer advocacy The remaining amount has been allocated to future IWI Charity projects and IWI operational expenses.

Your generosity for charitable causes is ver y much appreciated.

The IWI Board works diligently not only to ser ve the local community of international women, but also to support those who are in need.

Should you have any questions about IWI funds and fund allocation, please do not hesitate to contact IWI treasurer Nicole Liao at treasur y@iwi-tr.org.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give - Winston Churchill

March April 2015

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ISTANBUL ESCAPE

ASIA FANTASIA

No day need go by without discovering something new and utterly riveting on the shores

I

drive-in diners and just offshore the Leander Tower. At this point, look up at the last of the clifftop Ottoman yalıs built to watch the sun set over the Golden Horn.

The artist Derek Hill called the late Muharrem Nuri Birgi’s house “the most beautiful in Asia”. The yalı is like a jewel box when its shutters are closed and you can still climb the stone path that led down to the shore. This is the district of Salacak. The old boat station alas survives only in the opening to Sidney Lumet’s 1974 Murder on the Orient Express.

In Üsküdar, Asaf Osman Efendi (a tiny rarified café at İmam Nâsır Sk 2, 0216 334 7070) serves tea from all over the world. The Turkish tea is handpicked on the Black Sea by the owner – an egg timer comes with the tray so that you know when to start pouring.

yapı kredi selahattin giz archive

yapı kredi selahattin giz archive

t isn’t easy to get to the sites scattered around the low hills between Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, but it is worth the effort. To visit the Florence Nightingale Museum in the Selimiye Barracks, you need a passport and 48 hours’ notice. But for a grandstand view of Topkapı Palace, the European quarters draped around the Galata Tower, and the whirl of excitement at the entrance to the Golden Horn, simply hop on the Sirkeci–Harem feribot and climb to the upper deck, where seats are arranged in rows as in a theatre.

The car ferry links the Old City to the bewildering Harem docks on the Asian shore. When you land, turn left and walk along the shore all the way to Üsküdar. You pass a small fishing harbour,

2 38 IWI layout Jan 2015.indd 2-3

January and February 2015 March April 2015

LALE SPECIAL OFFER

SPONSORED ARTICLE: CORNUCOPIA MAGAZINE

of the Bosphorus. The new Cornucopia explores Istanbul from sea to shining sea

Cornucopia’s Bosphorus issue The forthcoming Cornucopia 52 is Part 3 of the biannual magazine’s Istanbul Unwrapped series. You can buy it at good bookshops in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir from January 21 (price TL35). But it also makes the perfect gift for visiting friends and family. We invite IWI MEMBERS to stock up on extra copies by ordering three for the price of two at cornucopia.net/iwi-offer, along with a free a Rifat Özbek tote bag.

The same offer applies to our first two Istanbul Unwrapped issues… while stocks last.

CORNUCOPIA 51 ISTANBUL’S EUROPEAN QUARTER & THE SULTAN’S NEW CITY . THE POLISH CONNECTION . PASTA ALLA TURCA

Sold by order of The 12th Duke of Northumberland and the Trustees of the Northumberland Estates

Edward William Lane (d.1876), Arabic-English Lexicon, printer’s manuscript copy, 40 volumes, second half 19th century, with 10 rare volumes of al-Saghani’s ’Ubab, Egypt or Syria, Mamluk, dated 653 AH/1255 AD Estimate £200,000–300,000 Enquiries +44 (0)20 7293 5804 34–35 New Bond Street, London W1A 2AA Register now at sothebys.com

January and February 2015 March April 2015

ISSUE FIFTY-ONE 2014

simon upton

ARTS OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD LONDON 8 OCTOBER 2014 EXHIBITION 3–7 OCTOBER

CORNUCOPIA Issue 51 2014

Turkey for Connoisseurs

ISTANBUL UNWRAPPED PART TWO

THE EUROPEAN CITY

BEYOĞLU BOOGIE

3 39 26/11/14 09:24

HEALTH & FITNESS

Meditation in Nature Nature is the biggest healer we have. Sometimes we forget it when we live in the city and are busy working. That way of living rarely invites nature as a natural part of our schedule.

What nature does is to reset us to our own natural meditative state. Energy healer Lalitah shows us how bringing meditation and nature together makes a beautiful synergy of effortlessness.

Meditation as an inner state

Meditation is an important key to find peace and balance within ourselves. Meditation is more an inner state than a technique. It is our natural blissful state, from where we feel connected to ourselves, our body, mind, emotions and spirit. A state where we feel connected to everything else. It is our natural state of being.

Nature as a mirror

To meditate in nature is a great support and it can bring us back to our natural state easily as well as intensify our experience of our true self. Since our surroundings are a mirror of ourselves and our inner state, we can also choose our own mirror by changing surroundings. The energy vibration of nature is vibrating on a different level and also faster than that of the city. Just as the vibration of our natural Self is different and faster than the vibration of our body.

Our natural Self and the energy of nature correspond on a vibrational level.

When we connect to nature we connect to high vibrations and if we do it consciously on the terms of nature, we can really benefit from it and let nature mirror our own natural state of silence and beauty. And we will find that we are one with nature and nature is one with us. Bringing this awareness of meditation and nature into everyday life will change the quality of everything we experience and do. And since meditation connects us to our higher truth and to the experience of Oneness, it is also beneficial in the contribution to peace on earth.

Nature is not only our greatest healer, it is also one of our greatest teachers. What nature can show us is our own natural rhythms. It can show us how to let go, like a leaf falling from the tree when autumn comes and it has served its time on the tree. We can reflect on how the leaf turns into topsoil to reinforce the soil and give strength to new plants or the tree that it has been living on. It is an eternal cycle of giving and taking, receiving and letting go.

Nature can also show us how everything is changeable, like the ocean with the big waves, making sounds and foam and splashing towards the rocks with big power which suddenly turns silent and still and you know that under the surface is a world full of aliveness. That it is not just what you see on the surface, but there is much more depths to it. Just like ourselves and our emotions.

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March April 2015

Nature is everywhere

Some of my favourite Nature meditations are quite simple and I´d like to share a few with you that can be implemented in daily life, also when you live in the city. In Istanbul you can find parks, seaside, trees – and no matter where you are in the world you can always find the sky. For the meditations, it is always good to connect to the body first. Take a deep breath and bring the attention to the feet and legs, stomach, to your back, arms, hands, neck shoulder and head. Let the quality of the meditation come from feeling the connection to yourself and nature.

Personally I love to walk in nature and find a place to sit for a while and just take it in. I have found that if I am out walking for 1-1½ hour, I am totally clear in my head and in my system afterwards. If I have been long enough in nature, I can feel the imprint of it in my system for a long time after I come back.

That makes it possible to recall the imprints and connect to them if it is not possible to get outside.

Tree Hugging:

Easy nature meditation in the city

I love to do this simple exercise. It connects me to the ”bigger”, wherever ever I am.

Basically you can connect to nature wherever you are; it is a question of where to put your attention. If you for example walk around in the city, an easy way to get back to yourself and connect with the bigger field is to look up, into the sky.

Maybe you want to stop and sit on a bench, maybe you want to keep on walking, but bring your attention to the sky instead of the people and the shops around. Look beyond and connect to the sky. Connect to this bigger space and feel its endlessness, its greatness, its ever-presence. See clouds and the birds in the sky, bring your attention to them, fly with them for a little while. Let the rain fall on your face or the sunbeams caress your skin, feel how nature is touching you. Give yourself the time you need to feel connected to the meditative space inside of you.

Expanded meditation in nature

Of course you can do the same while being in nature. Go there and take some time for yourself without phone or todo-lists. Connect to the trees, see the birds, the leaves, the berries, the flowers, the sea, the grass. Be silent and try to feel nature, and what it shows you. Bring your full attention to whatever you see. Listen to the sounds. Sense the smells.

Feel the air and the sun-beams touching you.

You might even want to lie down on the ground with eyes closed and feel how mother earth is holding you, smell the ground and the grass. Feel the energy of the earth.

Can you sense what she is telling you?

Can you feel how deep the earth goes down? Or maybe you connect to a single leaf and its story.

One of my real favourites is tree hugging. The trees remind me that we, humans, are beings connecting the earth and the sky. They show us how important it is to ground, to make big roots deep into the ground before we can actually grow strong and make a big crown that manifests our inspiration of the sky – the spirit. Meditating is often understood as going up, connecting to spirit. If we are not grounded on the earth, with our roots, in our body, we cannot bring our spirituality down to earth and daily living either.

Tree hugging for me brings it all together. When we hug trees or lean on them, we enter their energy field. They all have different energies. Some trees have a strong and wise energy, some have a light and fresh energy, some are young, some are old. But they all hug you back with their energy, when you give them a hug and by entering their energy field yours will be cleared and aligned with theirs.

Sometimes when you give it time standing close to your favourite tree, you can even get messages that can help you solve problems that you cannot solve with your thoughts.

That is what meditation is all about. Being in the state of being that is much bigger than your thoughts. In this state, you can relax and find answers for it all. If you give your attention to nature, it will return your attention with great support in all aspects of life. So I can only encourage you, if you don´t do it already, to find a favourite spot in nature. It can be a tree, a bench in the park, a rock at the seaside,whatever works for you, and give yourself the treat of going there regularly and connect with all your attention and let it bring you the peace and bliss in return.

WRITER: LALITAH Lalitah is a certified Life- and Business Coach, and has taken a 1½ year Osho therapist training at OshoRisk, Denmark. She has Reiki 3, Spiritual Healer education, Channeling Courses and an Intuitive Painting Training.

She is specialised in rising your energy/vibration through heart openings. Through that it is possible to naturally dissolve unhealthy life patterns and influences and return to our true essence. Lalitah gives workshops and sessions in Denmark and Turkey, and can be reached via www.awareness-institute.net or Lalitah@awareness-institute.net.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Juice for Life Juicing is a great way to boost your body and kick-start a spring cleanse. Ayurvedic nutritionist Ulli Allmendinger shows how easy it is to incorporate juicing into your everyday life.

Spring is an ideal time for vegetable juicing! According to Ayuverda, most vegetable juices -especially the green ones- are highly cleansing and cooling to the body and this is not ideal during fall and winter. Over the long winter months, we are programed to build and nourish, our diet is heavier, with more oil, nuts and meats, less salads and greens. This naturally burdens our liver and makes our body more acidic. Often, over winter, metabolism slows down and, for many of us that means a kilo or two more on the scale. All the more reason to kickstart your spring-cleaning with the nutritional antioxidant boost of vegetable juicing. Come on March, I like to start my day with a glass of green juice or a liver-cleansing beet or carrot juice!

Juicing has many advantages: 1. Increased Absorption of Nutrients Juicing makes it easy to absorb all the beneficial nutrients in the vegetables—it virtually “pre-digests” them. Since many of us deal with impaired digestion, this is a great way to boost the body with additional nutrition and antioxidants.

2. Concentrated Nutrition Juicing makes it easy to consume more vegetables in your diet. Just think about it, eating a bunch of chard or spinach or half a pound of carrots is no easy task but it can be easily accomplished with a quick glass of vegetable juice.

3. Broad Variety of Vegetables While many of us stick to the same vegetables we like over and over, juicing let’s you incorporate a wider variety of vegetable you normally do not consume.

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Here are a few recipes, from beginner to advanced: Beginner:

Advanced:

Skin Boost 4 carrots ½ green apple ½ lemon 1 cm fresh ginger root

Green Machine ½ bunch spinach or chard ½ bunch mint or parsley ½ green apple 2-3 cucumbers ½ lemon

Liver Cleanser 2 beets ½ green apple ½ lemon 1 cm fresh ginger root

Super Vital Mineral Boost ½ bunch mixed greens (spinach, collards, roka, dandelion, parsley) 1 floret broccoli 1 pear 4 stalks of celery

March April 2015

For anybody new to juicing, here are a few pointers: Invest in a Superior Juicer!

As far as juicing machines are concerned there are mainly two types of juicers you find in the market available.

Centrifugal Juicers

This is the most common type of juicer, which processes fruits, veggies and other produce with a shredder disc rotating at a high RPM. The price of these juicers varies, depending mainly on their build i.e. juicers made of stainless steel can cost you anything upwards of 600TL while others having plastic body can be as cheap as 80TL. This is a good start if you juice once in a while and have a limited budget.

Pros: Economical, high yield, quick, compact, easy to clean, readily available in the market.

Cons: Noisy, the juice gets oxidized and can’t be stored for too long, won’t juice wheatgrass Ideal for: Harder veggies and fruits, some models can juice leafy greens

Masticating Juicers

By far the most superior type of juicer in terms of obtaining the vitamins and other nutrients of the juiced fruits and vegetables is a masticating juicer that extracts juice through a slow grinding process. They are more costly but it is definitely worth the investment if you juice regularly. These juicers utilize an auger with blades to ‘chew’ (masticate) the produce in order to extract the juice. The auger rotates at a slow speed to avoid heat buildup and preserve antioxidants.

These are usually more versatile as compared to centrifugal juicers, since they can juice a wide variety of produce including fruits, veggies, leafy greens, and even wheatgrass.

2. Tricks to Improve Taste!

Fresh ginger root, green apple and lemon are low in sugar and add both a great taste as well as help absorption and digestion of the juice. If you juice the whole lemon including peel, make sure that it is an organic lemon; if not, then just cut half a lemon and squeeze the juice and add that to the rest of the juice.

3. Consume Your Juice Right Away!

Immediately after juicing, the nutrients start to oxidize so it is best to consume your juice right away. If that is not possible, you can fill an air-tight jar and leave as little space as possible, and store it like that max. for a few hours. I do not recommend juicing in bulk and storing the juice for several days.

4. Don’t Mix Your Juice with Other Foods!

Juice is best consumed by itself, away from other foods since it digests much faster than anything else.

An ideal time to consume juice is in the morning, before or instead of breakfast. If you decide to eat breakfast after, wait at least 30 minutes to make sure your body has assimilated the juice.

5. Experiment!

If you are new to juicing it is good to start with tasty, slightly sweet vegetables like carrots, cucumbers or beets as a base, and add some additions that improve taste, such as ginger root or fresh lemon.

As you advance you can play with adding some bitter leafy greens such as dandelion, roka, spinach or chard, as well as broccoli, cabbage etc.

6. Juice Fast!

This is a great way to give the body’s digestive system a break while loading up on nutrition. During a juice fast, you would consume 3-5 glasses of vegetable juice during the day (every 3-4 hours a glass). You do not eat anything aside from drinking the juices, spring water and maybe some herbal teas.

Pros: High yield, easy to clean, durable, offer higher nutritional value, can process most types of items, quite affordable, less foam and pulp in juice, very quiet, can act as a multipurpose appliance (i.e. fruit and veggie juicer, food processor, homogenizer, nut butter maker, wheatgrass juicer etc.)

Cons: Slow, big in size, heavy, more expensive as compared to centrifugal juicers Ideal for: Most types of fruits as well as wheat grass and leafy green.

1. Juice Organic Vegetables!

It is vital that you use organic vegetables as much as possible, and if you do not have access, then at least soak your vegetables in a vinegar-water solution (1:10) for about 10 minutes to get rid of the pesticides.

Here is a list of the most heavily sprayed vegetables: Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, parsley, collard greens, chard), carrots, cucumbers, and celery.

WRITER: ULLI ALLMENDINGER Ulli Allmendinger, MSc Ayurveda, is an Ayurvedic consultant, nutritionist and herbalist with a passion for cooking and Ayurvedic nutrition. Based in Istanbul, Ulli consults clients for a variety of health concerns, gives Ayurvedic cooking and nutrition classes, workshops on Ayurveda and guides detox camps. She also has a line of gluten-free cookies and breads that are made-to-order. For more information, please visit www.ulli-ayurveda. com and www.ulliskitchen.sopsy.com, call 0539 203 04 22 or email info@ulli-ayurveda.com.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

GET MOVING For many of us the New Year brings new resolutions on becoming more active, eating healthier, or loosing weight. Living in a city like Istanbul brings its own challenges. While we associate outdoor sports with a more rural country-side setting, the amateur sports club BKNK- BuKızlar Nereye Koşuyor? (Where are TheseGirls running to?) shows that it can be fun using the streets of Istanbul to get active and be social at the same time.

BKNK- BuKızlar Nereye Koşuyor? (Where are TheseGirls running to?) is an amateur sports club, which aims to encourage and motivate women to “start” or “do more” sports and be active in their lives. To achieve this goal, BKNK carries sports to a social platform which makes it more fun and continious, and enables people not to pay a lot of money to the gyms. The streets are our gyms!

Our routes are mainly parks and shorelines of both the European and Asia side. During the weeks, either early in the mornings or after work, from Bebek to Emirgan or from Nisantasi to Karaköy are ours favorite routes on the Bosphorus line. During the weekends, we prefer the Belgrad Forest, Kilyos Beach, Aydos Hill, Prince Islands, or Ayvad Bendi as we don’t have any time restrictions.

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HEALTH & FITNESS There are a lot of reasons to do sports outside in İstanbul apart from it being free:

A few tips on how to run in Istanbul:

oo Istanbul is a caotic city with a crazy traffic jam. The best part of running in Istanbul’s streets is you don’t have to get stuck in traffic to get somewhere; you put on your shoes and start running wherever you are. If you are close to the Bosphorus line, you also enjoy the incredible view with a fresh sea breeze. If not, it might be a good interval training due to the up and down hills in the city.

oo Try to finish your workout before 09:00 if you go to the parks or forests. If you are late, you can bump into the picnic/breakfast crowd.

oo Another reason is that you don’t realize how the time passes. You can complete miles and miles quicker than you think by watching people walking, sitting at the coffee shops, checking out restaurants, lokking at fishermen or smiling at the cars in traffic. We should all agree that Istanbul is a crazy city to watch .

oo No matter how much fun it is to run in the streets, always watch out for cars as İstanbul drivers can be dangerous. If you run on the road, prefer the opposite side where you can see the cars coming towards you.

oo When you are outside, you can run/ride a bike/ walk with as many friends as you want; you can easily make new friends after seeing them a couple of times doing the same sport with you in your route, and you get more social.

oo If you run on the Bosphorus line or passing through the bridges such as Galata, be careful and get away from the fishersmen’s hooks.

They might not see you while fishing.

oo Always stretch and warm up your body before a workout, especially in winter.

Otherwise you will be prone to injuries. oo Avoid exercising outside between 08:00-19:30 in summer as Istanbul gets really hot. oo If you run after the sun goes down, you should prefer visible outfits (white or the ones made of materials glowing in the dark) The routes mentioned above are popular routes for runners.

So find some friends to run together. If you don’t have any friends willing to work out with you, find BKNK J

To be a part of us and work out with us is very easy: you just need to leave your excuses and start moving! If you cannot motivate yourself to do and to have a more active life, contact us and we will show you tons of reasons Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bukizlarnereyekosuyor Blog: http://bukizlarnereyekosuyor.tumblr.com/ instagram: http://instagram.com/bukizlarnereyekosuyor e-mail: bukizlar@gmail.com

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PRINTEMPS DES ARTISTES 2015 9th edition - Sainte Pulchérie School From 10th to 18th April 2015

IT is now becoming a tradition and a rendez-vous in the cultural agenda of Istanbul so please mark your calendar not to miss this coming art event (10-18 April, Gallery Ouvroir d’Art – details below). Indeed, Istanbul Accueil (the French-speaking organisation) is proud to present its 9th annual art exhibition, ‘Printemps des Artistes’.

What is Printemps des Artistes ?

Printemps des Artistes –PDA- is a caritative art exhibition/sale which takes places each year at spring time.

The aim of this event is double : giving to discover new stambuliot artists to the public, and raising funds in order to support charity initiatives.

When ?

Opening night on Friday 10th of April, from 6 :30pm Late night on Thursday 16th of April until 10pm.

Exhibition : everyday from 11th to 18th of April, from 12 to 7pm.

Where ?

Ouvroir d’Art Gallery Sainte Pulchérie Fransız Lisesi Çukurluçesme Sok.7 Parmakkapı 34433 Beyoğlu – İstanbul 0212 244 25 36 A fund-raising event!

All the pieces of art exhibited in PDA are on sale. This year, 30% of the proceeds are generously given by the artist to two charities, the Lape Hospital, and Tarlabasi Community Center.

Our 2015 selection The present curating team of five energetic French ladies has carefully chosen ten local and international professional artists to put together a colourful and multi-faceted exhibition reflecting the dynamism of the exciting multi-cultural life in Istanbul.

ALAN MAHMUZLU

Graduated from Mimar Sinan University and a teacher, Alan Mahmuzlu highlights of everyday objects in her paintings. Her still lifes let her mastery of colors and cosmopolitan soul shine through.

CANAN AYDOĞAN

Like previous years, this one-week exhibition offers indeed a unique mix of art pieces with very varied styles and techniques: photography, painting, sculpture …

It’s also a unique place to enjoy rich cultural exchanges between the artists and the visitors from the Turkish and International communities.

With a spatula as a brush and Istanbul as a tireless subject, the painter Canan Aydoğan expresses the complexity and chaos of life, especially in the big city in her painting. On her canvas, the dizzying dance of the dervishes is an ode to freedom.

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ECE AKAR

MEHMET NEJEFZADEH

Self-taught painter and woman engaged in humanitarian action, Ece Akar puts all her generosity in her painting. In her works she makes the Woman, the Child and Life paramount.

Both a painter and an art teacher, Mehmet Nejefzadeh explored many artistic techniques before choosing the softness of watercolour to represent the crowd and chaos of Istanbul thus tinting his work with peace and serenity.

NOEMIE DEVEAUX The photographer Noemie Deveaux fell instantly in love with Istanbul. Picture after picture she gives us a glimpse of the obvious or hidden attractions of this captivating, yet elusive city.

EMMA POULAIN

SO we are inviting you to come and enjoy this exciting week from Friday 10th of April Céline, Christel, Amélie, Anne et Marie-Liesse.

For more information : www.istanbulaccueil.org Facebook : le Printemps des Artistes - Istanbul

Emma Poulain’s journalistic experience enhances her photographic art. With a blend of shadows and light over Istanbul and its inhabitants she shows us her calm and sincere vision of Turkey.

HAKAN KARAKAYA A graduate of Gazi Art University, the sculptor Hakan Karakaya liberates his energy to create sensual and polymorphic work. His artistic process exalts wood, stone or metal.

March April 2015

İRFAN YAVRU The oriental characters depicted by İrfan Yavru seem to come straight from an illustrated book revealing to viewers a world of adventures.

Each detail such as turban, moustache or colourful clothes makes us travel to a timeless Turkey.

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SPONSORED ARTICLE: ACIBADEM

SPONSORED ARTICLE: IICS When parents hear “gap year”, their fear is typically one that their teen will spend the year couch surfing, watching daytime television or that their child will lose touch with the academic world they are about to enter. That’s not what a gap year should be.

A well-planned gap year can make a world of difference for a new high school grad.

“A gap year isn’t a year off,” says Dr. Mobasheri, University Counselor for Istanbul International Community School (IICS).

“Productive gap years are held in increasingly high esteem by universities, particularly in the UK. The general UK university application actually asks students whether they will be taking a gap year, since it is such an established part of the university entrance cycle. As a student, you are basically asking for a year’s deferral with a proposal that impresses them sufficiently to save you a spot for the following year.”

Here’s what a student might gain from a productive gap year…

GETTING IN THE GAP

How Gap Years Can Benefit High School Graduates Gap years for new grads are becoming more common. Here’s why…

EXPLORING YOUR GOALS New graduates can use that time to investigate the areas they want to study to understand whether that’s really what they want to do. Some students know what they want to study, others need time to explore. Even those who are certain may want to cement their passion in the area they are pursuing.

GAINING RELEVANT EXPERIENCE International school students are usually not allowed to seek employment in their host country, and so miss out on the work experience that non-expat students have access to. Dr. Mobasheri recommends gap year job shadowing, internships, or similar opportunities that afford a student time to develop their knowledge of the field they think they would like to pursue. Interacting with professionals in that field may help students meet valuable mentors who can provide advice on planning the next steps for a career in that sector. Certainly having relevant experience places that student’s candidacy in a higher category from the start of their university application process.

In fact, for some university programs like the hospitality sector, work experience is a requirement prior to university application. For pre-medical students studying in the UK and other countries, universities expect that they have completed volunteer work in the health sector and can articulate the experience with a depth of reflection.

LEARNING & DEVELOPING SKILLS If the student’s desired university requires class credits in courses not offered at their high school, then a gap year provides time for that student to complete online courses to fulfil those requirements.

Some students take a gap year to develop their credentials further in a certain area. Students may want to study a foreign language and establish deeper fluency—especially if they plan to study in a foreign language.

DEVELOPING INDEPENDENCE Spending a year independent of family offers a student the chance to learn how to manage an adult life—everything from household management to budgeting time and finances. That can make a critical difference at university, particularly if a students haven’t yet had the chance to fend for themselves.

RECHARGING After a student finishes the rigor of the full IB program—which doesn’t even afford students a break during their summer vacation for their 6 subjects, TOK, Extended Essay, and CAS—time for regrouping would serve them well so they can start their university careers refreshed and ready.

NATASHA studIED marıne bıology ın madagascar

ABOUT MY

marlon learned spanısh ın argentına

GAP YEAR…

Students who have taken gap years tell what it has meant to them.

Recent IICS graduates have completed some impressive gap years. After eight months of volunteering in Nepal in 2010, Vidal Meric went on to Columbia University to study international relations. Upon completing a summer of volunteering at an international archaeology conference in Istanbul, then working on digs in the South of Turkey (including an undersea excavation), Sofia Blanchard will go off to Oxford University in fall 2015. Here’s what some more of our recent grads have to share about their experiences.

NATASHA COON, IICS Class of 2011 I never really entertained the idea of a gap year until I learned my parents were moving to Zambia. I believed that taking the gap year would allow me to explore more places, grow as a person, and strengthen my passion for the environment and Marine Biology (my planned major). It turns out, I couldn’t have made a better decision.

The beginning portion of my gap year was focused on applying to universities; the other half of it was spent in Madagascar with a conservation organization, Blue Ventures, and working at the US Embassy in Lusaka. My six week expedition to Andavadoaka, Madagascar included learning the names of hundreds of fish and corals in order to survey the local reef systems via scuba diving. I also learned about Malagasy culture and language and volunteered at the local primary school.

After my expedition, I worked at the US Embassy in Lusaka with the Small Grants Coordinator helping to process hundreds of grant applications for AIDS Relief projects.

Although the two main focuses of my gap year were very different experiences, the chance to weigh my options and define my interests was probably the biggest benefit of taking the gap year.

It’s difficult to think of drawbacks to a gap year, honestly.

Everything about my experience was positive and eye-opening, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

One of the nicest things about the gap year was that it gave me a bit of a breather; after having spent 12 years in school, I felt that I needed a good way to explore who I really was outside the context of classes and exams. Although I was certain I would be pursuing a major in Marine Biology, the gap year activities simply reinforced this, something that wouldn’t have happened if I went straight to university. I believe a gap year is a healthy choice for most students coming out of high school-especially for those who are unsure of their intended path in university, or those who want to experience life outside of school for a short time before diving back into the academic realm.

Natasha is currently in her third year at the University of Oregon, studying Marine Biology and Environmental Studies.

MARLON WEINSTABL, IICS Class of 2012 I personally wanted to do a gap year to grow as a person, experience other sides of life, broaden my horizons, and learn languages. I remember the day I went to Dr. Mobasheri’s office telling her that I was going to take a gap year. She was not convinced at all. The next meeting, I gave her an Excel spreadsheet with my entire gap year planned out to the smallest detail. I applied to universities regularly like all my other classmates. Before the IB Exams, I got my acceptance for my top choice: a dual-degree in Business Administration and Law at IE University, Spain. Note: Marlon was also accepted to Exeter, City University, and Lancaster.

After obtaining my full IB Diploma, I spent the summer improving my reading, writing, and business Turkish for two months at a language school. Then I moved to Buenos Aires to spend six months learning Spanish from zero. Now I am fluent in Spanish, with a strong Argentinian accent. During my stay in Buenos Aires, I engaged in many activities that I didn’t have time for during high school: I learned to tango, started rowing and running, learned to cook, and travelled around Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

The second part of my gap year I spent in France-- two months in Paris and three months in Biarritz-- improving on the six years of French I had in Primary and Secondary school. The best way you can learn a language fully is by immersing yourself in the culture and environment. You learn by integrating.

The biggest benefits of my gap year were all the life experiences and memories that shaped me. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity. It helped me grow into a confident and independent person. I had a head start on all my classmates at university; I was more mature, knew how to live independently, could take care of myself and others, and just felt ready to study. I felt rejuvenated.

Marlon is currently in his second year of a dual degree, a Bachelor in Business Administration and a Bachelor in Law at IE University.

MUMS ‘N KIDS

Fun in Istanbul with your kids I am writing this on the snowy night of 1 January 2015. My little girl will be turning one very soon. Our main activity has been the cosy playgroups under IWI Mum n Kids. We have managed to explore Istanbul together in the past year, though our choices had been limited with her being a baby. Now that she is a toddler with lots of energy and mobility, one of my New Year resolution is to discover new sites in Istanbul where we can create and share more joyous moments together.

Heading outdoors to the parks First up, there are parks everywhere. You would have realised by now, all it takes is a signboard to declare an area, however small, a park. The smallest park I have seen consist of two benches on a concrete pavement. Luckily, most parks are quite decent in size and comes with the quintessential slide and swing for the kids.

April is an especially good time to go to the main parks in Istanbul as tulips will be in full bloom for the Tulips Festival.

One of the quieter parks to enjoy the Tulips Festival is Beykoz Korusu. Located on the Asian side, it is considerably quieter even on a sunny weekend morning. The roads within the park are also nicely paved with tall trees providing a lovely shade from the sun. Perfect for strolling with your baby in a pram as both of you take in the scenery and fresh air.

Children having fun while getting themselves in a tangle!

My husband enjoying a walk in Beykoz Korusu with our then fourmonth old daughter sleeping in the stroller.

Tulips gracing Istanbul major parks every April.

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MUMS ‘N KIDS The parks are also wonderful for everyday outings. Lilian (one of our Mum N Kids members) enjoys going to the Göztepe Park in Kadıköy with her daughter, Winnifred. Göztepe Park has an area with a giant wooden boat for children to explore and another area with swings, slides and such. In Kadıköy, there is also the Özgürlük Park with several play areas providing a wonderful garden atmosphere. Several playgrounds also dot the seaside between Moda and Bostancı where children can get some active outdoor time next to the promenade and sea.

Istanbul parks are so numerous that you could make it an adventure to visit and discover a new one every day of the week. They are usually well-maintained and does not bore a child even after many repeated trips.

Well-maintained neighbourhood parks make it easy to be out and have fun with your child.

Enjoying a cuppa at family cafes A common sight overseas, cafes with designated kiddie areas have started to gain popularity in Istanbul. In the last issue of Lale, we introduced Hotpot in Şişli where the Mum n Kids group held one of our playgroups. The group learnt of Lena’s Fotini Café in Arnavutköy through Esbie. The whole café is suitable for young children to crawl or sit around and play.

Lena provides coveralls for our shoes so that the walkways stay clean. There is a special playroom for children up to 3 years old. They will bring in your food and drink order so that you can enjoy a pleasant meal while watching your child having fun. The café also has a quiet area for moms to breastfeeding and a hammock to rock the little one to sleep afterwards. Lena speaks German and English and created the café so that her own child would have a comfortable and pleasant place to play.

Colourful play area just for 0-3 year olds at Fotini Cafe

Instilling the love for books If you are living around Özgürlük Park, there is an interactive children’s library there that you could drop by before or after the visit to the park. On Thursdays, there are playgroups conducted in English from 10am to 12noon. The library and playgroups are free and came as a result of efforts by the local community. Children aged 18 months to four years old can participate in free play, group singing, motor activities, story reading, and arts and crafts. If you can, do bring along some contributions of children’s books and materials for arts and crafts such as paper, glue, scissors, etc. A similar effort is currently underway to reproduce this wonderful resource for kids on the European side in Beşiktaş.

Which child could resist playing in the fountain?

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MUMS ‘N KIDS And many other more…

If you are out and about on errands and your child is becoming increasingly restless, you can take a break at one of the shopping centres with children activity areas. Zorlu Center is well-known for its park area which houses many different setups and open spaces suitable for kids of all ages.

Many of the other shopping centres have soft play areas or the typical children rides. The quality and prices of these establishments vary from one to another.

A few of the shopping centres such as Trump Towers in Mecidiyeköy have children’s programme as well. These are often scheduled on a weekend and conducted only in Turkish.

However, they provide an avenue for kids to experience storytelling, short skits and simple arts and crafts.

On a larger scale, Istanbul now has both Kidzania and Kidzmondo where your kid can spend a day and try out different jobs. They can be a doctor treating a patient in an instant and move on to sorting out loans as a banker within minutes. Vialand is a great theme park for a family outing while Babalu’s indoor activity park provides an engaging alternative to the general amusement rides. For mommies with little ones who cannot get enough of dinosaurs, Jurassic Land at Forum is the place to go.

Many of the museums such as Istanbul Modern, Santralistanbul, Istanbul Toy Museum and Rahmi Koç Museum have special children and teenager workshops.

These require prior registration and fees. While you may not get to be with your children when they are participating in the arts and sculpture workshop, trying their hands at composing digital music, designing a robot or working on a caricature of themselves, it still provides an opportunity for the two of you to recall and share the experience afterwards.

I look forward to hearing from you if you have another favourite place you visit with your child. Please email me at mumsnkids@iwi-tr.org and I will update the list at our website for all to know and enjoy.

Many thanks to Esbie van Heerden and Lilian Hasenpusch for sharing their favourite places to go with their children in Istanbul.

Photos of Fotini Café from Lena Pietruschka-Güvenç, Göztepe Park from Lilian Hasenpusch and Beykoz Korusu from Chienfang.

Directory (mostly in Turkish, though Google Translate can help to a limited degree) The list below is also available at IWI Mum n Kids page for easier clicking http://www.iwi-tr.org/mums-n-kids

Parks near you:

Asian side www.anadoluparkbahceler.com/parklarimiz.php European side www.avrupaparkbahceler.com/parklarimiz.php

Cafes with kid areas

European side Fotini fotinicafe.com Hotpot http://hotpot.web.tr/ Filii Café, Beylikdüzü http://www.filiicafe.com/ Lilliput Bebek www.cocuklanereye.com/Etkinlik/Detay/Id/373/ lilliput-cocuk-oyunevi-ve-cafe Liliput Tarabya http://cicicee.com/tarabya-lilliput-cocuk-oyunevi-cafe/ Asian side Cıvıl Cıvıl Aile ve Çocuk Kafe Beykoz http://www. cocuklanereye.com/Etkinlik/Detay/Id/1078/civil-civil-aile-vecocuk-kafe Hello Kitty World, Ataşehir, http://www.hkwturkiye.com/ Mom’s Café, Kadıköy https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Moms-cafe/1518598805064018 Play Inn, Kozyatagi http://www.play-inn.com/ Sahan restaurant at Caddebostan, Suadiye, Ataşehir and Kurtköy http://www.sahan.com/sahan-cocuk-restorani.15. tr.html

Museums with children and teenager workshops

Istanbul Modern http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en/education/ social-projects/motherchild-art-workshops_785.html and http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en/education/free-educationprograms Istanbul Toy Museum http://www.istanbuloyuncakmuzesi. com/etkinlikler.php Rahmi Koc Museum http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/en/rmk_ for_kids.htm Santralistanbul http://www.santralistanbul.org/press/show/ santralistanbul-cocuk-ve-genc-atolyeleri/en/

Activity and Theme Park

Babalu http://www.babalu.com.tr/ Jurassic Land http://www.jurassicland.com.tr/en/ Kidzmondo http://www.kidzmondoistanbul.com/ Kidzania http://istanbul.kidzania.com/en-us Vialand http://www.vialand.com.tr/iletisims

Calendar of activities

http://istanbulforkids.com/category/konu-basliklari/etkinlikler/ http://sehrincocukhali.com/ecategory/aktiviteler/ http://www.istanbul.net.tr/Etkinlik/cocuk-oyunlari/16/1

WRITER: CHIENFANG LIM Chienfang is from Brunei. She finished university and worked in Singapore as a project manager in a variety of industries for 13 years. She met her Turkish husband during a dive trip to Malaysia. April 2013 marked the start of her life in Istanbul. She has a baby girl and runs a career advancement service at www.expertdite.com.

Special thanks to Monica Casalina for providing the information and photos on Forestanbul

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MUMS ‘N KIDS

MUMS ‘N KIDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS IWI MUMS ’N KIDS MEETINGS AND PLAYGROUPS We have weekly playgroups organised according to the kids’ ages. These are usually hosted by our members at their homes, meet-ups at parks or walks along the Bosphorus coast. These playgroups are free of charge. This is an opportunity to meet other pregnant ladies and parents of infants or toddlers, as well as share the joys and trials of motherhood while creating a support network. Mums n Kids does not mean mums only – Dads n Kids are just as welcome!

Please contact Chienfang (Mums n Kids Coordinator) at mumsnkids@iwi-tr.org if you have any questions or suggestions.

To join a playgroup, please log in to IWI’s website and visit the Mum n Kids page under the Members’ Section for the coordinators’ email addresses.

The coordinators will add you to the group’s mailing list to keep you updated of future events.

Pregnant and infants (0-12 months)

- Usual meeting day/time: Tuesday, 11am-1pm - Coordinators: Roxana Laos Dahya & Mandeep

Walkers – Younger Toddlers (1-2 years of age) - Usual meeting day/time: Tuesday, 10am-12pm - Co-ordinator: Sarah Wheatcroft

Toddlers (2 +)

- Usual meeting day/time: Tuesday, 10am-12pm - Coordinator: Verda Cakan

Please also visit the IWI Website and Facebook page for details of our Easter Party planned for April 2015.

OTHER ACTIVITY AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

Bosphorus International Pre-School (BIP), Emirgan www.bipschool.net

Teacher-organised activity, song and circle time, garden play (weather-permitting).

Coffee, tea, milk and cookies provided.

When : Tuesdays Time : 10am-11.30am Cost : FREE Age group : 0-3 years of age Please contact Ms Collette Laffan-Persembe at preschool@ bipschool.net or telephone at 0212 277 8444. *Note: please call on Mondays to reserve. There are only 10 openings every week. Please only ONE known adult per child.

British International School (BIS), Zekeriyakoy / Etiler

www.bis.k12.tr Indoor and outdoor play (weather-permitting), followed by snack and music time. Known adult to stay and supervise child.

Zekeriyakoy (Tuesdays and Fridays)/ Etiler (Wednesdays and Fridays) Time : 9am-11am (both campuses) Cost : 10TL per session Age group : 0-2.5 years of age Please contact Mrs Amanda Ilhan, Preschool and Primary Deputy Director at amandailhan@bis.k12.tr or telephone at 0212 202 7027 ext 116 *Playgroup will start in the week of 15 September 2014.

Eden’s Garden International Preschool Yenikoy, Istanbul www.edensgardenpreschool.com

Baby Ballet Playgroup for Boys and Girls When : Thursdays Time : 9:30am-11:30am Cost : 30TL per session, (no block-booking required) Age group : 0-3 years of age Where : Ballet Studio, Eden’s Garden International Preschool, Guzelce Ali Pasa Cad. No. 50, Yenikoy, ISTANBUL Bring : Soft slippers for little feet Please contact Karen Holyoak Çiftçi, Director at director@ edensgardenpreschool.com or telephone 0212 262 4302

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MUMS ‘N KIDS Fotini Café- Arnavutkoy, Besiktas

Hotpot Café- Şişli, Istanbul

A café with a playroom dedicated to babies and toddlers up to 3 years old, Fotini Café is located along the Bosphorus coast and offers a comfortable area for you and your child to unwind and have fun at the same time.

Located centrally in Şişli, with just a short walk from the metro station, Hotpot café offers playgroups (baby/toddler), yoga (prenatal, yoga, adults), dance and drama classes and other fun activities for both kids and mums.

www.fotinicafe.com Francalaci Cd. No.26, Arnavutkoy, 34345 Istanbul, Turkey

IWI members enjoy a waiver on the 8TL entrance fee to the playroom. Please present your IWI membership card to claim your discount.

Please contact Lena at fotinicafe@gmail.com or telephone 0533 093 9992

Gymboree Play and Music

www.hotpot.web.tr Merkez Mah. Perihan Sk. Erbil Apt. No 71-73B, Şişli – Istanbul

IWI members enjoy 10% discount. Please present your IWI membership card to claim your discount.

Please contact Adila or Ayça at info@hotpot.web.tr or telephone 0212 343 53 53

Kindermusik at Play to Learn PreSchool

www.gymboreeturkey.com

www.playtolearn.com.tr

10% discount for IWI members on Play and Learn classes in the Ortaköy branch. Please present your IWI membership card to claim your discount.

Gymboree Play and Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 30 years.

Today there are over 550 locations in 30 countries, making Gymboree the global leader in early childhood development programs. Designed by experts, the age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical and social skills of children as they play. The programs are also recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement—which encourages participation in and understanding of each child’s development.

On the European side in Akatlar, Nişantaşı and Koç University Rumelifeneri Campus and on the Asian side in Ataşehir, offering different music classes.

Cost: 860TL for 12 classes (IWI discount included) Gymboree members can also enjoy complimentary free-play times during the week. For non Gymboree members, IWI members these cost 30TL per hour.

School Skills program (drop-off) for the 2-3 year olds or 3-4 year olds. 10% discount on full year School skills program for IWI members.

Music and Art classes are also available. ***Limited offer for IWI members: 4 classes for 240TL*** Please contact Esra Taşar at esratasar@gymboreeturkey.com or telephone 212 275 8787 Kindermusik at Play to Learn Pre-School http://www.playtolearn.com.tr

My Time Program: 18-30 months ABC, Music and Me Program 2-4 years of age Please contact Ms Ozlem Hun at info@playtolearn.com.tr or telephone at 0212 352 3031 or 0532 237 2272.

Full Circle Healing Doula List

There are doulas on both the European and Asian side.

Doulas may be willing to travel to your location. For more detailed information about each doula, and on how a doula can support you, visit www.fullcirclehealing.org.

Do’um

Specialize in pregnancy and childbirth, provide education and counseling services to expecting parents and to bring together experts who believe in the feminine power and work in this field with a natural approach. www.do-um.com/english/english.aspx

LOLA (Lots of Lovely Art)

After-school workshops, toddler art, kinder art, weekend workshops, holiday camps, themed birthday parties. www.lotsoflovelyart.com

Our House

Our House is located in Cihangir as a center for children and families. The aim of the organization is to generate curiosity, creativity ad awareness for children at all stages of development. www.ourhouse.club

IWI’s Mums ‘n’ Kids Team is a volunteer group that organises activities for you and your children to enjoy. Please take responsibility for your own child’s safety.

IWI is not liable for any injury or loss incurred.

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GROUPS & ASSOCIATIONS Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon

Open AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings in English are held in the Union Han building on Istiklal Caddesi, Tünel, next to the Swedish Consulate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6.45pm (contact 0533 626 5724 ). There is an Alanon meeting at 6.30pm on Thursdays in the same location. On Sundays, there is an open AA meeting at 4,15pm in Harbiye (contact 0539 606 0123). On the Asian side in Kadikoy, there are meetings at 6pm on Thursdays and at 5.30pm on Saturdays (contact 0537 433 8368). A full listing of all English-speaking AA meetings in Turkey with local contacts can be found on the AA Europe website: www.aa-europe.net

Asian Ladies of Istanbul

The Asian Ladies of Istanbul is a non-profit social group established over 20 years ago where ladies from East Asia living in Istanbul get together for various events and can feel at home while far away from their original home. A members-only Facebook page is available for them where they can keep track of the latest monthly luncheons, news, events, photographs and relevant information pertaining to daily life in Istanbul. Please contact the group leader, Kim Cakirkaya at kim.cakirkaya@gmail.com or 0533 463 6930 for further information.

ARIT (American Research Institute of Turkey)

The Friends of ARIT Istanbul, with branches in North America and Ankara, was established to support the ARIT in Turkey and carry out its scholarly activities. The Istanbul Friends run a yearround program of tours and lectures for members and guests.

Member¬ship is open to all interested residents of Istanbul. For further information call 0212 257 8111.

CHICAS - Spanish speaking women of Istanbul

A group open to all ladies who speak our language, or would like to practice it. We host lots of fun, hilarious Latin parties and cultural events. Come on, jump on in, you won’t regret it! We have our own blog: http://chicasestambul.blogspot.com/ and we’re on Facebook under “Chicas Estambul”. Email chicasestambul@yahoo.com.mx or phone Ninoska Gutierrez Sierra 0533 651 3581, Norma Maranges 0532 314 29 34 or Lorena Martinez 0533 388 6309.

CIRCOLO ROMA (Comunità italiana)

The Italian association organises several activities, such as cooking classes, dinners, parties, Italian and Turkish conversation classes, piano lessons, zumba, tamurriata, Italian cinema, medieval fencing, painting on porcelain, capoiera, singing and other activities for children and much, much more. The wonderful liberty hall can also be hired for private parties and conferences. Email Paola Maresia Maresia@superonline.com or Elsa Zambonini elsazambonini@ yahoo.com, tel 0212 244 17 59 or visit our website info@ circoloroma.com.

Die Bruecke

‘Die Bruecke’ is a platform for the German speaking community.

It was founded in 1989 to serve the needs of a steadily growing community. It is not a German club; it is open to everyone who speaks German. Die Bruecke issues a monthly newsletter. Different gatherings, charities, information concerning everyday life, binational education, help with bureaucracy and immigration laws in Turkey are covered as well as assistance to newcomers. Website www.bruecke-istanbul.org, email info@bruecke-istanbul.org.

DNSI - The Dutch School of Istanbul

The AWI is a social network open to Americans, Canadians and spouses of US or Canadian citizens living in Istanbul. The AWI provides social programmes ranging from special interest groups to charities. If you’re a newcomer to Istanbul please contact our newcomers committee so you can start to feel at home in your new country. Email Debbie Abdo or Sia Israfil at awiistanbul@gmail.com.

We provide Dutch language and cultural lessons to students aged between four and 16. Our mainstream programme is for primary and secondary students with at least one parent of Dutch nationality. Our afternoon programme is for students aged four-13 who are learning Dutch as a foreign language. We also offer a two week Dutch summer school. There is the possibility of Dutch language courses being offered for adults in the future. Please check our website www. dnsi1991.org or email directeur@dnsi1991.org.

Belgian Friends of Istanbul

Fransız Fakirhanesi – Little Sisters of the Poor

AWl (American Women of Istanbul)

The Belgian Friends of Istanbul help Belgian newcomers to feel at home and make friends quickly. We gather every month around a drink, brunch, dinner, walk or cultural activity. We also try to keep our traditions alive with activities such as the annual St. Nicholas party for the children or New Year’s dinner. We have our own Facebook page where members exchange useful information about job opportunities, housing, babysitting, Belgian cultural events in Istanbul, where to find Belgian products, etc. Email Nathalie Bevernaegie at bfistanbul@gmail.com.

Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts

The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of America is a youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

All boys in grades one to five (ages six to ten) holding a foreign passport are welcome to join Cub Scouts. Older boys (ages 11-18) with foreign passports are welcome to join Boy Scouts. Activities include hiking and camping. Email Vicki Gunay graygunay@gmail. com or phone 0532 314 11 34.

Bridge group

Email Mother Mary psdptr@gmail.com or phone 0212 296 4608.

FOCI (Friends of Contemporary Istanbul)

Working with the international community in promoting the growth and development of contemporary art, the Friends of Contemporary Istanbul aim to enrich the rising art scene in Turkey and to contribute to the cultural life of Istanbul. Email jasmine.taranto@gmail.com or phone 0532 687 7899.

Friends of India Association (FOIA)

The Friends of India Association (FOIA) is a registered group formed to connect Indians in Istanbul through various social events.

Our aim is to keep the spirit of India and Indian culture alive by organising various festivals and activities through the year. If you are a newcomer to Istanbul and would like to know more or join the association email any of the following: Jugnu Saglik: jugnusaglik@ yahoo.com, Ambili: ramachandran.ambili@gmail.com or Diya: khera. diya@gmail.com. We are also on Facebook as Istanbul Indian community (FOIA).

Our friendly bridge group meets on Fridays at 11am -- all levels welcome! We play in a relaxed way and sometimes have a chat in between hands. Playing bridge in our group is a way to spend a pleasant Friday. Please contact Sandra on 212 257 9781 or 0532 483 5319.

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Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts is the world’s largest organisation dedicated to helping all girls everywhere build character and gain skills for success in the real world. In an accepting and nurturing environment, and in partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop strong values, leaderships skills, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. Girls aged 5 and up are welcome. Email Kat Bekham usagsoistanbul@gmail.com or phone 054 2300 24 92.

Istanbul Ottomans Rugby Football Club

We practice every Saturday afternoon between 4 and 6pm, except on days when there are official fixtures, at the Dikilitaş Spor Kulübü in Besiktas (directions available at www.ottomansrugby.com).

Players of all ages (17+) and all levels of fitness are welcome.

Please contact one of the team officials on the website for more information.

PAWI

InterNations is an organisation where globally minded people have the opportunity to network and exchange valuable tips and topics regarding expatriate subjects. We organise events and provide opportunities for our members to meet and network twice a month. For further information please see our website http://www. internations.org.

The Professional American Women of Istanbul is a network of American/Canadian women and spouses of Americans/Canadians living in Istanbul. PAWI strives to empower and support members by promoting personal and professional growth. Members inspire each other to achieve and share success. Each monthly PAWI meeting features a guest speaker, and locations alternate between the European and Asian sides. Contact info@pawiistanbul.com or visit www.pawistanbul.com.

International Women’s Bible Study

Patchwork Group

Istanbul Accueil

Photo Club of Istanbul

InterNations

This group meets Tuesdays from 10am until 12.30pm. Contact Vicki Günay on 0532 314 1134.

Welcomes French speaking newcomers in Istanbul. We publish a weekly newsletter listing many events and activities. All Frenchspeaking people are welcome! Email istaccueil@gmail.com or visit our website www.istanbulaccueil.org.

IWI Tennis Group

If you enjoy playing tennis please join our group. The IWI Tennis Group is up and running and takes place at Torch Tennis in Tarabya. Teams are based on skill levels and we welcome all players from beginners to advanced. If you are interested in joining please contact Kenan Dundar on 0535 390 4983 or email kenan. dundar@torchsportsclub.com.

Luso Brasileiro

Portuguese speaking group. Contact: Isabel Ponte Gulpan 0212 669 4943 or 0532 274 1653.

NVI – Dutch speaking people of Istanbul

The Dutch Club Istanbul is a group of people who like to keep typical Dutch festivities alive, for people who have connection to Holland, who like to meet up with Dutch-speaking people. On a monthly basis we organise a get together. Among the festivities we do the typical celebrations like Sinterklass (5 December) and Koninginnedag (Queens day). For further information and details check our website (www.nv-istanbul.org) or contact: Lisette Ruygrok at secretariaat@nv-istanbul.org.

Istanbul International Chamber Choir

IICC is a fun women’s choir, which was founded in 2009 and sings a variety of choral styles from light classical to musical, jazz and pop. The choir organises a Christmas concert and a spring concert in June. A weekly rehearsal takes place at Rumeli Hisarı. The group is always looking for enthusiastic members and for more details you are kindly invited to contact Anderske Kaspersma at anderske@ kaspersma.net or 0532 746 9448.

Istanbul International Rugby Center

Founded in 2007, this is the only Rugby Club in Istanbul with coaching for children and teenagers. Turkish, English, French and Spanish all spoken. The club has coached over 400 international children aged 5-16. Rugby training is every Saturday 12.30 - 2pm at Dilikitaş Sport Club in Beşiktaş.

Please contact the Club President Gülseren Gomez or the Technical Director Mr Luis Gomez on 0538 642 4513 for further information or see our website: www.istanbulrugbycenter.com

Contact Gaye Hiçdonmez at gayehicdonmez@gmail.com or 0532 700 0693.

The Photo Club of Istanbul organises photography classes and workshops, monthly photo treks and other activities for photographers of all levels of experience. Membership is free and is open to anyone with an interest in photography. Beginners are welcome. Email photoclubofistanbul@gmail.com to request an application form.

Speech Bubbles

Speech Bubbles Theatre is an Istanbul based drama group established in 1988 aiming to perform high-quality English language musical theater while donating the proceeds to charities supporting children and education. Speech Bubbles is composed of amateur and professional dancers, singers and musicians from the international community.

Speech Bubbles also runs a part-time school of performing arts for young people over ten years of age and adults for three hours on Saturday mornings where everyone has the chance to gain confidence, develop their performance skills or simply just learn how to act, sing, dance and most importantly have fun! Email: tom@ speechbubbles.org or visit our web site: www.speechbubbles.org.

South Africans in Istanbul

Please contact esbie@hotmail.com if you are interested in forming an informal group of expatriate South Africans.

SWEA (Swedish Women Educational Association)

A world-wide network for Swedish or Swedish-speaking women with a chapter in Istanbul. Email jessica.lundgren@jlu-prod.com or phone 0539 234 7043.

Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs Looking for the support of other parents of children with special needs and additional resources for your child? Please contact Carol Crous for more information on 0533 730 7148 or 0212 223 9700.

Toastmasters International – Istanbul Chapter

The English speaking Istanbul toastmasters club is the first Istanbul local branch of Toastmasters International, an organisation that helps its members improve their communication and leadership skills in a supportive environment. ITM meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 19.30-21.30 at the Gönen Hotel in Taksim. Guests are welcome to attend two meetings free of charge.

Email vp-membership@istanbultoastmasters.org or president@istanbultoastmasters.org.

Union Church of Istanbul

We are an international, inter-denominational church that offers services in English. Please contact Elaine Van Rensburg 0212 244 5763.

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IWI

IWI MEMBERSHIP ID CARD

PARTNER OFFERS 09/2014

09/2015

Our Partner Offers page lists various offers and discounts that our partners are extending to IWI members

In order to redeem these partner benefits, you must show your IWI Membership ID card.

If you lose your card, contact our offices at: Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Oz Topuz Sokak. Camlitepe Sitesi, No. 74 Blok C1 / D2 Ulus, Ortakoy.

Isda Bebek Wellness Center is pleased to offer you the most incredible gifts...

EFinst 10% off for IWI cardholders The most professional and successful private Turkish language school for foreigners in Turkey teaching students how to speak the language accurately and fluently from the first lesson! The EFINST Turkish Centre İstanbul has over 12 years experience in meeting the language and training needs of those who wish to study and improve their Turkish. We are dedicated to promoting international understanding through education and raising the standards of language learning.

Contact: info@turkishlesson.com or 0212-282 9064. www.turkishlesson.com

For a complete list of services please visit our website www.isdabebek.com

Time Out subscriptions Time Out Istanbul in English is offering a 25% discout on subscriptions for IWI members.

Make Time Out your monthly go-to guide for the city by contacting: Omer Karanis, omer@ajansmedya.com www.timeoutistanbul.com

Planet Lifestyle Club is offerıng IWI members a 30% discount on all fitness memberships. Please contact sales manager Mr. Hicabi Akay at 0530-955-4490 or hicabiakay@ planetlife.com.tr. More details can be found on their website www.planetlife.com.

Dentram Dental Clinics Dentram Dental Clinics offers 20% discount on all treatments to IWI members.

The offer is valid at all three clinics: Dentram Levent; Dentram Bağdat Caddesi; Dentram Acarkent.

Please have your IWI member card with you. www.dentram.com

For the “Midas and Microplus” body reshaping systems we offer 10 bonus sessions for each 10 sessions purchased.

Also…in our ‘’antiaging and weight loss sessions’’ we offer a %30 discount and for “spa and massage treatments ‘’ a %50 discount with cash payment .

İsda Body &Soul Works Bebek Kücük Bebek Caddesi No:23 Tel: (0212) 265- 26 86

Richmond Nua Wellness Spa Turkey’s first and only destination Spa, Richmond Nua Wellness Spa, offers all members of the International Women of Istanbul 20% discount on all services during 2014. Please present your IWI membership card during your hotel check-in to benefit from this special offer.

For more detailed information: 0264 582 21 00, richmondnua@richmondnua.com Address: Sahilyolu Mevkii, Sapanca – Sakarya Web: www.richmondnua.com

Steven Kitching British hairstylist I’m happy to offer a 20% discount to all IWI members when booking your first appointment.

I have twenty years experience in cutting styling and colouring and offer a professional friendly service in the comfort of your home.

For more details and appointments call or e-mail (0551) 412- 4784. stevekitching@hotmail.co.uk

Chill Out Spa Nişantaşı British salon owner Ann Marie Sabuncu is offering IWI members a 30% discount on all treatments and package programs. Chill Out is a small boutique spa using quality products from Decleor. Latest technology LPG body treatments and reflexology are just some of the treatments available. For more information please contact Ann Marie on 0212 231 1159. www.chilloutspa.com.tr

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Tarabya Torch Tenis offers individual and group lessons for children and adults of various skill levels. Our experienced coach will help to instill basic tennis skills and proper techniques in beginners as well as help develop professional skills for advanced players. Coach Kenan Dundar has extensive experience giving lessons to foreign students of all different levels and age groups.

Every tennis court at our club meets the specifications for professional tennis courts but the tennis club not only has great tennis courts, it also has all the necessary modern infrastructure for training, warm-up and rest after the game.

Tarabya Torch Tenis offers excellent opportunities for training and education but our tennis club is not only about the lessons and playing tennis, it is also lively, relaxing and a great place to meet other tennis fans and make interesting acquaintances.

Tarabya Torch Tenis is pleased to offer a 10% discount to IWI members. Courts are open from 7 am to midnight and for more detailed information please contact: 0531-945-2588 or pautova@hotmail.com or visit www.tarabyatorchtenis.com

Concept Languages Located in the heart of Etiler, Concept Languages is offering free Turkish conversation classes to any IWI member presenting their card. Classes will take place twice a month between 14:30 –15:30 and for full information and reservations Please Contact: Başak Toksoy (0212) 351- 18 40 basak.toksoy@conceptlanguages.com

Momma Zen/annezen Momma Zen/annezen is a centre which specialises in yoga, massage and aromatherapy for the pregnant woman, baby yoga and baby massage workshops and kid's yoga.

We also offer a doula service and breastfeeding workshops, as well as massage and yoga for non-pregnant women.

Momma Zen also teaches HypnoBirthing classes in English and runs workshops on making natural skincare products.

For IWI members we are pleased to offer a 20% discount on the full price of prenatal yoga and birth classes, workshops, massages and kid’s yoga.

Momma Zen/annezen Kordon Yolu Sokak 8/1, Kordon Apt, Kalamiş, Istanbul.

Tel: 0216 345 0866 Jo Harris: 0536 8285587 www.momma-zen.com www.annezen.com/program

Incirli Saraphane -- Soul Group At Incirli Saraphane more than 20 Turkish wine companies came together and created Turkey’s richest wine bar for you.

There are more than 500 different kinds of local and imported wines at very special producer prices. You can enjoy your wine with music, local & imported cheese and charcuterie selection.

Incirli Saraphane is offering a 10% discount for all members on our wine and cheese workshops, both those we have in our regular calendar of events and private workshops you may wish to organize for a group of 8 or more. In addition, if you dine in one of our other restaurants on the same day (Kydonia or La Mancha) you will receive a complimentary dessert.

For more information see our website: www.incirlisaraphane.com

Kadiköy Şifa KadiköyŞifa offers IWI members the current tariffs with the following discount: • 10% for all medical services at KadiköyŞifa hospitals.

• Longevity and Wellness Clinic services: o a discount of 20% for cash payment more than 1000 TL o a discount of 10% for installment payments of more than 1000TL o a discount of 7% for single procedures.

• Varix Center Clinic (varicose veins and vascular surgery) 15% discount.

Seyahan Jewellery In appreciation of the warm reception at the 2013 Christmas Festival, we are offering a 20% discount on all our products to IWI members. The concept of our shops is that we provide unique, handcrafted jewellery from all over Turkey. Working directly with the artists, our handcrafted pieces are products of regional tradition, local materials and contemporary design.

We are located in: Hazzopuli Pasaji 3/E (off Istiklal) and Camekan Sokak 4/J (behind Galata Tower)

Hillside Sports With a ‘feel good’ mission, these sports centres provide multifunctional and boutique services. Hillside’s unique products consider personal needs with a team of friendly, experienced and internationally certified experts. We introduce the world’s latest sports trends and provide a colourful range of products to members, combining fitness and fun.

The ‘Hillsider community’ consists of Hillside Etiler, Hillside İstinye and Hillside Trio members. Activities, tours, cultural travels, tournaments and parties enrich the lives of the community of members. Hillside City Clubs are wellness addresses that satisfy all needs of their guests and makes sure they feel good.

We offer a 20% discount on general membership to IWI members.

Ottoman Silks Authentic and opulent Ottoman designs – transformed into a contemporary collection of kaftans, handbags, pillows and shoes. 100% made in Turkey, the Ottoman Silks collection is now on sale via our website (www.ottomansilks.com) and also in three different locations: The Museum Hotel, Cappadocia; Sofa, Istanbul; and Cesni, Ankara.

Contact details: oo Hillside City Club Etiler 0212 3522333 (Alkent Sitesi Tepecik Yolu Etiler) oo Hillside City Club Trio 0216 3241111 (Trio Konutları, Kozyatağı) oo Hillside City Club İstinye 0212 3672000 ( İstinyePark AVM, First Floor)

IWI members receive a 20% discount.

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IWI

PARTNER OFFERS Purovel Spa & Sport An oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city! A member of the ‘Leading Spas of the World’ welcomes you to a healthy and revitalising lifestyle within a stylish and contemporary environment.

We offer a 15% discount on any of our spa treatments for IWI members during January and February 2015.

Contact details for reservations: purovel.istanbul@swissotel. com or 0212 326 2990.

GRAND BAZAAR DISCOUNTS The following vendors in the Grand Bazaar are offering 10% discount to IWI members: • • • • •

Boynuz Steak House & Kasap Boynuz offers IWI members a 10% discount.

Polignon Mah. Polignon Cd. Fevzi Cakmak Sk. No:2 Istiniye

Koç Leather & Fur KaptanBros, lighting and home decoration Tarkan Özbudak, fine Kütahya and İznik handpainted ceramics, tiles and more İgüs, cashmere & silk Ucuzcular Baharat (Bilge Kadıoğlu): Spice market no:51 Eminönü

Phone: 0212 2291910 www.boynuzet.com

IWI

DIRECTORY

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March April 2015

IWI

CLASSIFIED ADS

PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE

ADULT BALLET CLASSES

Call me for more information: Hatice Yildrim Tirli 0532 260 4118 or 0542 434 1932.

IWI member Canan Sadalak, professional ballet teacher and soloist with the Istanbul State Ballet company and her colleague Evelyn Avidor offer a weekly ballet class on Wednesdays between 14.00-15.00 or 18.30-19.30

I can come to your house... Pregnancy massage, cellulite massage, relaxing massage, full body massage, osho re-balancing, massage or wax.

TURKISH LESSONS:

PRIVATE AND CONVERSATIONAL For ladies and men, group or one to one lessons, at your home or workplace, from an experienced native teacher fluent in English and French. Adjustable to your needs and time schedule.

Please call 0530 310 21 32 or email rbensan@ superonline.com for full information.

GERMAN LESSONS

German lessons from experienced native German school teacher.

Please call 0532 235 20 86 or email susannecakir@gmail.com for further information.

PIANO LESSONS

Hello everyone — I’m back in Turkey and will be resuming piano lessons. Enjoy learning any type of music your heart desires; classical, musicals, classic jazz & more.

For all enquiries, call Aysel Poyraz 0532 244 3130

MUSIC LESSONS

Piano, singing and music theory lessons (solfeggio) are provided by Dobrinka Chavdarova. Has 10 years of practice as a teacher in Istanbul. Bulgarian herself, uses fluently Russian, English, Turkish, has master classes in Munich and Varna. The lessons are suitable for children and adults, beginners or advanced and are given exclusively privately only at the students home, so an instrument is needed. The method of teaching is the Oxford one, combined with lots of other pieces, depending on the natural and pianistic abilities of the student.

References are available.

If you are interested please mail at dobra_music@abv.bg for further information.

Recapture your childhood fun with adult ballet lessons or enjoy a new experience while improving muscle tone, flexibility and co-ordination.

For further information contact: canan.sadalak@hotmail. com

SAILING TRIPS / LESSONS BLUE SPIRIT YACHTING

Experience the beauty of Turkey’s beautiful seas by sailing them.

As skipper I can sail you in comfortable sailing yachts around Istanbul or Aegean coast. I organise daily or weekly trips, lessons, your holiday with family or friends.

I speak Dutch, French, English, German and Luxemburgs.

For all information: Jacques Schimberg e-mail jacques@schimberg.nl

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Calling all female expat writers that have lived in Turkey for at least one year!

Sofra: A Gathering of Foreign Voices around the Turkish Table is seeking creative non-fiction of 2,500 words or less.

Editors Katherine Belliel and Rose Margaret Deniz have a combined 25 years of experience in Turkey, and are editing this compilation of essays to give back to the culture that has nourished their lives abroad.

Have a story to tell that reflects the culture and embraces one or more of these elements, savory, sweet, bitter, tangy or spicy?

Please send to submissions@expatsofra.com by April 1, 2015.

For more information on complete submission guidelines, please go to www.expatsofra.com

NON-COMMERCIAL CLASSIFIED ADS ARE FREE FOR IWI MEMBERS!

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IWI POLICIES & ADVERTISING MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all women who hold a Non-Turkish passport or who are married to a foreign passport holding spouse.

For application details, please visit our website www.iwi-tr.org.

Membership registration is also available at our Newcomers meetings, held each month on both the European and Asian sides. Please refer to the Newcomers page in this Lale magazine for details of timing and location.

Changing Address or Lale Problems?

Don’t forget to give us your new address (postal and/or e-mail) to avoid delay in the delivery of your Lale magazine or for up-to-date IWI member information.

Contact our Membership Secretary by e-mail at membership@iwi-tr.org.

If your Lale magazine doesn’t arrive, please contact the Membership Secretary membership@iwi-tr.org

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Membership Directory Membership information is only available online in the members only area of the website at present, but depending on sponsorship availability, may again be printed in the future as it was in the past. Whether online or in print, any and all member information is provided to IWI members in strictest confidentiality. Provision of member information to third parties contravenes IWI policy.

ADVERTISING

To place an advertisement please contact us at advertising@iwi-tr.org.

Advertisements must be confirmed through signed contract before any payment is accepted.

Classified ads: Restricted to 50 words.

Member cost: FREE (Non-Commercial Ads) Non-Member cost: $60 + 18% V. A. T. All advertising costs are payable by bank transfer. No cash payments accepted. A copy of the payment transfer (dekont) should be sent via email: advertising@iwi-tr.org.

Only paid advertisements can be included in Lale.

Payment Details Bank: Garanti Bankası Branch Code (Hesap Şubesi): 340 Etiler TL Account (TL Hesap): TR03 0006 2000 3400 0006 2991 17 USD Account (USD Hesap): TR09 0006 2000 3400 0009 0939 67 Customer Name: İstanbul Uluslararası Kadınlar Derneği İktisadi İşletmesi

DISCLAIMER

Lale Content The IWI as an organization and the IWI Board members act within the laws of Turkey pertaining to publishing but they do not accept any liability regarding the accuracy or content of the contributions supplied by our advertisers or members’ articles. In order to comply with these laws or publishing standards the IWI reserve the right to reject or edit any submission to Lale. Furthermore, the IWI does not accept any responsibility for any of the services rendered by any of our advertisers.

Programs Cancellation of a program reservation after the deadline remains fully payable.

Please refer to our website www.iwi-tr. org for up to date details, last minute additions or program changes. The IWI reserves the right to cancel programs due to insufficient numbers. You are responsible for both you and your child’s safety and the IWI cannot accept responsibility for injury or extra cost incurred during any activity organized by the IWI, or advertised in Lale.

March April 2015

BIS