Author: aylinalpustun

banker, reader, world traveler, art lover, bon vivant,
Istanbul, travel, Turkey5 Comments

Welcome 2014, hope you have arrived with beauty and peace in your basket

aylinalpustun

Although I am not one for resolutions at the beginning of each year, there are two very strict rituals I abide by at new year’s– one is to crack open a pomegranate as soon as the clock turns midnight , the other one is to pay a visit to Ayin Biri Church in Unkapani first thing in the morning on January 1st. My belief is that each and every deep red pomegrenate seed signifies abundance and when I toss one out with all my might, the seeds scatter out to bring opulence my way.  This year’s ceremony was even more … Continue reading Welcome 2014, hope you have arrived with beauty and peace in your basket

travel, Turkey1 Comment

Ayvalık – Turkey’s Olive Riviera

aylinalpustun

It was the first time I had been to Ayvalık , literally “quince orchard”,  off-season.  Only about 120 km from my hometown of Izmir, I used to frequent this small fishing town of 30,000 for delicious seafood lunches on Sundays during the spring months.  It dawned on me that I had not set foot in Ayvalık since moving to Istanbul in 2006. In reality what started out to be a day business trip from Istanbul, coupled into being a delicacies shopping fest. After contemplating with my colleagues which mode of transport to use, the unanimous decision was the comfort of … Continue reading Ayvalık – Turkey’s Olive Riviera

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Paris observed through a friend’s camera and my guidance

aylinalpustun

I am one of the luckier souls for being extended the opportunity to travel to Paris for work. Each and everytime I set foot in that very alluring city I fall in love with it all over again. I was thrilled but at the same time skeptical on giving advice to a colleague, who an adventurer himself was curiously enough setting foot in Paris for the first time, on what not to miss out. Off for a two day business trip, with only the late afternoons to spare for himself, I was confused on how to compile the Paris to-do … Continue reading Paris observed through a friend’s camera and my guidance

Turkey6 Comments

BIRBICER – Delicious kebab in humble surroundings

aylinalpustun

For me, the opportunity to sample different local cuisines is the reward for crack of dawn business flights. Waking up at 4:00 am to catch a 6:30 flight from Istanbul to Adana for an 8:30 am meeting is not super fun, especially when the meeting is all number crunching… On the particular visit to Adana, I became cognizant of my hunger just as the meeting was coming to a close and all negotiations were finally settled during which I did gulp down numerous cups of strong heavenly Turkish coffee. Having to work around a tight schedule it had to be … Continue reading BIRBICER – Delicious kebab in humble surroundings

ART, Istanbul, Turkey2 Comments

BIG SALUTE TO THE ARIK LEVY’S EXHIBITION IN ISTANBUL

aylinalpustun

I simply loved everything about the Arik Levy exhibition at Galerist in Istanbul. The way my friend Aylin surprised me with the invitation a few hours before the opening, the imperfectly painted gallery walls serving as a sophisticated backdrop to his magnitizing oeuvres, the curious fans at the opening, my companion to the exhibition and of course the emotions his brilliant artwork evoked in me. The exhibit was undoubtedly meticious. There was absolutely nothing below par except of course not meeting Mr Levy in person – that would have been the icing on the cake. A genious and a design … Continue reading BIG SALUTE TO THE ARIK LEVY’S EXHIBITION IN ISTANBUL

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The unbeatable pleasure of participating in the 35th Istanbul Marathon

aylinalpustun

I imagine there is not another marathon which has a two- continent route past spectacular monuments with great historical and cultural heritage. The 35th Istanbul marathon was held on November 17th 2013, and were we fortunate with the weather…. Istanbul has been the capital of three magnificient empires in history: Roman Empire (330-395), Byzantine Empire (395-1453), and Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). Thus, the city has been known with different names throughout history: Byzantium, Constantinople and Stambul. The 10 km race I participated in was so visually stimulating, so magnetizing, so outstanding that it was simply sublime. There were runners from all … Continue reading The unbeatable pleasure of participating in the 35th Istanbul Marathon

travel, UruguayLeave a comment

My Montevideo picture book

aylinalpustun

I had scant idea how much I would enjoy Uruguay when I decided to explore it for a week during my mini South America tour. I merely had two pieces of solid information about this delightful little country. First was that the distinguished novelist, Onetti, who apparently had fled his home country after a 6 month imprisonment in a mental institution was Uruguayan, the second was Uruguay’s strength as a solid soccer competitor. For a solo female traveler like myself, I can say it is one of the safest and peaceful countries in Latin America and simply a corner in … Continue reading My Montevideo picture book

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Chan Chan – a charming Peruvian restaurant in Buenos Aires

aylinalpustun

Ever since I read an article on the Peruvian-born mysterious and somewhat peculiar author Castañeda a few years back as well as the desire to conquer Machu Picchu for some years now, I have been longing to visit Peru.  I am still reading extensively on the Incas and this  beautiful country full of fascinating cultures to gain enough insight before I take a trip to discover all the treasures for myself During my ten day October 2013 vacation in Buenos Aires, searching for alternatives to the fantastic “parillas” around town (yes, they serve the tastiest meat dishes),  I was delighted … Continue reading Chan Chan – a charming Peruvian restaurant in Buenos Aires

travel8 Comments

hello world!

aylinalpustun

This blog has come into existence with the encouragement and constant nagging of three very special women – my mum who is my best travel companion, my marvelous friend Selda who has been a great influence in shaping my banking career for the last 20 years and my very dear friend Hela from college. I am one of the luckiest souls in the world to have had the opportunity to travel so much, discover great destinations, meet wonderful people and amass amazing experiences.  Curiosity has led me to hidden places, popular destinations, opera houses, musicals, theatres, museums,  book readings, wine … Continue reading hello world!