Ever wondered what it’s like to live in a Turkish village? No, neither had I. But here’s my apartment anyway! For comparison, you can check out the Cribs episode of my apartment in Seoul last year. ;) Both apartments have been provided for as part of an English teaching contract. Welcome to my home in Samanlı, Yalova, Türkiye!
"The sight of the world put mad ideas into me; as if I could wander away, wander for ever, see strange and beautiful things, one after the other."
~ CS Lewis
Big fan of casually sauntering about the planet. Thumb-war champion, blanket-fort specialist and dog mom. Passionate early-years educator, perogie enthusiast, lifelong Canucks fan and outdoor advocate. Sleeping-in-airports aficionado. Exploring the curious corners of planet earth with a journal and a sense of humour! Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, I've been making bad decisions on the road since 2009.
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10 Benefits of Traveling Solo![So I was at the gym the other day, running on the treadmill and flipping channels to find that one English program to zone out to while getting my cardio, when I came across the most amazing thing I have ever seen in the history of things. It was a soccer game. A very, very intense soccer game, with a referee and a large crowd. […]](https://www.thevagablond.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_0961-36x36.jpg "Head Soccer. Or, soccer with heads. Another reason why Korea is awesome."){kind=small}
Head Soccer. Or, soccer with heads. Another reason why Korea is awesome.![I write this post out of absolute necessity. I’ve already elaborated a bit on my fear of Korean food here, but these two recent discoveries require some further attention. Number One: Pizza. When we went to Pizza School the other night, we had two options: Barbecue Pork Ribs Pizza or Pasta Pizza. Craving carbs, and not feeling particularly like picking bones out of our pizza’s […]](https://www.thevagablond.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/img_7962-36x36.jpg "Spaghetti on my Pizza & Intestines in my Soup: Korean Food Fails"){kind=small}
Spaghetti on my Pizza & Intestines in my Soup: Korean Food Fails![It’s a liberating thought. Tantalizing even. You’ve got a house and a mortgage and a car and maybe a kid or a dog and a job. You have a whole life somewhere. But the thought of selling everything, packing a suitcase and moving far away.. maybe it crosses your mind sometimes. To leave all you know behind. To start anew. To experience life on the […]](https://www.thevagablond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/71167493547__FB0EE4D2-E8D3-4ED5-8E7B-5135BD58E752-36x36.jpg "On Selling Everything and Moving Away"){kind=small}
On Selling Everything and Moving Away![So I’m in the Northern part of Argentina, with a bag holding my sunscreen, some Argentine pesos, my binoculars and a pear. And I’m on a bus to Brazil, apparently, though I don’t know if they will let me in. Theoretically, this bus will take me to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu falls. Theoretically. And I say theoretically because at this rate I am […]](https://www.thevagablond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3526.jpeg-scaled.jpg "From Argentina to Brazil, hopefully."){kind=small}
From Argentina to Brazil, hopefully.![Buenos Aires. Eye-rays, is what I tell my English speaking brain. Not Air-Ees, Eye-Rays. There is something about this place that I can’t put my finger on. We’ve been here a month, and still the city seems to shift, to change. It changes by the time of the day, by the day of the week, almost as the staircases in Hogwarts upend and revise direction, […]](https://www.thevagablond.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_0322-scaled.jpg "On the ground in Buenos Aires"){kind=small}
On the ground in Buenos Aires
Warsaw for the win.
A Welsh-English Camper-Van New Years.
Oh. my. god. That is like a palace next to my apartment in Seoul! You’ll probably have too much space now! haha! Great view as well, I currently look out over a love motel! Hope your new adventure is going well!
Haha! Gotta love the Love Motel eh? Only in Korea! ;) Enjoy that view while it lasts… haha. This place is WAY bigger than my apartment in Korea too. And the PATIO! It’s so refreshing after living in a country that’s afraid of the sun! Seriously, have you ever seen a balcony in a Korean apartment that isn’t covered? Exactly. :) Anyways, thanks for the comment! There’s a couch here with your name on it if you should decide to come this way :)
Oh to be sitting on a balcony, with fresh air looking at actual stars… I’m definitely heading to Europe after Korea!
Ruth recently posted… A Wild Wild Adventure
Yay Kristina looks fab a step up from all the other cribs I guess and wow what a view, looks very sunny and you look way happy good for you, stay safe, Amanda xxxx
Thanks Amanda! It’s a fun new adventure and it’s definitely sunny and warm! I love sitting out on the patio in the day… or with candles and a glass of wine overlooking the lights of Istanbul at night.. thanks for the comment, and happy adventuring! xx
Wow, amazing balcony! that place is pretty legit, but I have to tell you, we have actual showers over here and that water heater is straight 70s, lets hope nothing blows! But man, who cares, like you , I would basically be living on the balcony!
Hahaha… it’s definitely a 70’s water heater! Actually, on the night I arrived, my boss came over to try to get the heater & propane tank working and, as I was busy checking out the balcony, there was a giant explosion and a bright flash – I ran inside to find his eyelashes singed together! Hahah.. not exactly the safest contraption in the world. ;)
Ahhh CHEERS to new adventures! That place looks great! When’s the first bbq?! Enjoy Turkey. What a wonderful country to explore. I look forward to reading about what comes your way. :)
I’m going to need to figure out how to use the BBQ first, haha. ;) Thanks for the comment!! :)
Nice digs. Best part of the vid?….hearing the sound of your voice again :) And the awkward, I don’t know how to end this vid ending. Very cute.
Awww, thanks Steve! Haha. I’m always so awkward when it comes to ending videos… ahhh. Thanks for pointing it out ;)
Haha you are so cute ;) One of my best friends actually lives in Istanbul right now, and there’s a teeny tiny chance I’ll visit her in January…it’d probably be crazy cold but I’d love love love to see Turkey!!
You would love it here! I don’t know how cold January will be, but I don’t imagine it will be as cold as Korea’s January! Perfect reason to come visit ;)
Love your place! Wayyyyyy…………………. bigger than Seoul. It’s sunny and brisk in Whistler on this Thanksgiving weekend. Miss you!
Thanks Mom!! Sad to be missing Thanksgiving again… but I can’t think of a better place to be for it than Turkey! ;) Miss you too. xo
Nice place kiddo, nice views too!!! Greetings from Whistler on the Thanksgiving weekend – no turkey here, maybe a Cornish Game Hen…….. hahahaha Cheers!
Not bad, eh? Missing you guys this weekend… no turkey here either, oddly enough! Haha. Maybe I’ll try to find a Cornish Game Hen? Or a Grouse? On second thought… not after hearing how funny they sound ;) xo
I effin’ love your blog updates. Your story of Thanksgiving in Turkey reminded me of a Turkish turkey related tale of my own, but, before I get into that, let me just say that I think it’s really great that you have somehow managed to fit a penthouse, multi-roomed apartment with massive views and a giant balcony into you adventurous new life. Pretty sweet set-up, I have to admit.
Around this time, waaay back in 2000 I found myself in Fethiye (in the South) and having never missed a October turkey dinner I was determined to find some fixin’s. I set out on a mission. I searched high and low. I looked in every shop and market stall, in restaurants, in hotels, I asked people on the street what a person could do to find a turkey and/or turkey dinner, but it was no use. I ended up settling on turkey bologna (seriously, it’s all I could find). Then, just as the ominous grey sky opened up, I ducked into a kabob shop and politely asked if I could please have this turkey bologna stuffed into my kabob. The man behind the counter wrinkled his face in disapproval, but, lucky for me he spoke english. I explained my motive; laughing out load, he agreed.
The next few hours were spent watching Turkish soap operas, drinking beer with strangers and generally being thankful for adventures, new friends, cold beers, flexible kabob shop owners, the fact that I wasn’t getting soaked by the torrential downpour that was raging outside and even turkey bologna.
Ty! I commented on this a long time ago but just noticed now that the reply didn’t save?? Gosh, your experience sounds awesome! I love random chance events like that – though it may not have been what you were looking for in the first place, it’s given you memories you’ll never forget. :) So incredible. Thanks so much for your comment! I hope you’re doing well and continuing to have excellent adventures. :) Happy belated thanksgiving to you!! PS Did you enjoy the turkish soap operas? hahaha
Hey, congrats on making across England and on settling down in Turkey! Its good to see you’re no longer living in a convent and have a few rooms to yourself (what luxury ^^ To have doors is very underrated). You’re rooftop looks amazing! I’ll have to pop by for a bbq ^^
Take care luv!
Hey Kev, thanks so much! Definitely nice to be living outside of the convent, for a change. ;) Pop by for a BBQ anytime! ^^