3 Weeks...

"Topkapi Palace on a dreamy day"

Not long left now... :)

Posted on 9:01 PM / 0 comments / Read More

YES YES YES!!! Off I go...

We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful visit of Oz...

Maybe not so much to see the wizard... and maybe not to Oz... I'm already in Oz! LOL This is better!!!

What you see here is my flight itinerary. :) Alhamdulillah, my ticket to Turkey is finally booked and paid for. :) I am over the moon! So so so very excited and happy. 12 April 2012 is the date I will be taking off from Sydney. Inshaallah if all goes well... Only 4 weeks left. Woohoo!

I am going one way and plan to be there for about 6 months if I can do so away from my hubby. Yes, we have our good and bad days, but I am going to miss him so much. However, I believe I am doing this for a more improved life for the both of us. So it's not a holiday. I am going to work while there. I have a few great options, just waiting for confirmation inshaallah. If it all goes as planned, we will be settling back in Istanbul in the next couple years where hubby will be up and back every few months as he has business here in Australia. 

Please pray for me that it all works out for the best. So I am happy but also sad that I will be away from my loved ones... at least mum will be up in Turkey with me a couple months later inshaallah. :)

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy :)))))

Posted on 1:31 AM / 0 comments / Read More

I miss it dearly

I have not been able to visit Turkey since July 2010, so I am dearly missing my beloved Istanbul...

I would be willing to give up a lot to enjoy living in this city once again... I mean, I do love Australia, but Istanbul is something else... Seriously... It's not something that one can explain; you truly need to experience it for yourself. Ahhh Istanbul....

Posted on 12:54 AM / 0 comments / Read More

I Love Wall Decals & Now You Can Even WIN One For Yourself!

I've always loved the huge wall decals... Been wanting a huge one of an Istanbul silhouette on my living room wall, but hadn't been able to find any. NOW that I am moving away and that I don't know what my house or decor is going to be like, a very dear friend (and her husband) are supplying them very close to home! Oh well, I may need to contact them once everything is final.

Anyhow... I just love the ones they have available. They have a range of Islamic Calligraphy, mixed ones, a range for children, etc. I say it's worthwhile to click on Printcraft Wall Decal's FB page and like their page to see what they have on offer.

Here are some of my favourite ones:

Also, the best thing about Printcraft Wall Decals is that they can make custom decals... So anything you have in mind, anything you want designed, they can do it for you. How awesome is that?! If you have any queries, you can get in contact with the lovely Ayse via their Facebook Page. If you do not have Facebook, but are interested, just send me your email, and I will pass it on to her to get back to you promptly.

Ooooh oooh! I have NEWS for you. They currently have a competition going on. So you might just be able to grab one these lovely decals for yourself:

Here are the details for the Tag n Win competition as listed on their FB page:

Tag yourself and your friends for a chance to win one of these decals, they are large, available in black only, postage is also included. If you are the lucky winner and would like another color, then +20 dollars only :) If there are multiple tags then it wont be counted. Closes a day before Ramadan, and will be chosen via random picker or other:) GOOD LUCK!!!

So yes, I say get clickin' away. :)

Posted on 5:12 AM / 0 comments / Read More

The plane lands in Istanbul...

...begins another journey in Istanbul...

I have neglected my blog for a few weeks, and have realised that I really miss blogging when I am unable to. Finally I sit here in an internet cafe in Istanbul... a nice one with fast internet, a large screen, ergonomic keyboard, and air conditioning.

They sat me in a corner away from most of the others in the cafe as I am currently the only female sitting in here - I just noticed now! LOL But yeah, in most areas this is how it works.. they try to sit the ladies in a quiet area so that we are not disturbed... it's a way to protect us, and I think it's sweet! I really do feel comfy in this area. Also, the best thing about this internet cafe is that it has aircon working -- this is quite rare in most internet cafes here in Turkey, especially if it ain't located in a posh area. By the way, it's currently 37 degrees celcius and I AM LOVING IT! :))))

It has only been 6 days since we landed in Istanbul, but it already feels like I've been here for the past few years.

So we landed on Saturday last week and we already had a cultural picnic with a very large community which was held in remembrance of Osman Ghazi, the leader who established the Ottomon Empire in 1453. It was a nice family day with my inlaws and extended family.

This is a show by the janissary band (mehter group) at the picnic. The "mehter group" is the band that used to play at times of war during the Ottoman era - their music was played to motivation and courage to the soldiers. (Click on the photo to see a larger version)

Then on Monday we started the week with our TUSKON tour. TUSKON is a confederation that brings businesses around the world together. The annual World Trade Bridge was on this week. Today was our last day, but we completed all our meetings yesterday, so finally free today. It was a wonderful experience and we went to so many places with the group. There was a large group from Australia (Melbourne and Sydney) so we didn't feel out of place at all. We were unable to capture any photos yesterday as we didn't take our camera, but we have some nice photos from the previous days.

I don't want to bore you with a very long post, so I'm not going to continue any longer. I will leave you with just a few photos and continue on about my journey/travel in my following blog posts.

How does that sound? :))

I haven't started shopping for stock just yet, but I will be giving you insights of those too, and I think it will be the best! I'm going to try and include fashion from Turkey with photos, so we'll just see how that goes. :))

Mwah!!!

This was taken at Miniatürk - it's an open-air musem in Istanbul where the miniatures of all monuments/touristic attractions in Turkey are on display. The detail is just amazing. It is also wonderful for those who are unable to travel all around Turkey to see the the actual places. I am standing in front of the miniature Sumela Monastery that is actually located in Trabzon in the Black Sea Region.

 

That's my hubster in front of a temple located in Antalya. I can't remember if it was the Artemis Temple? I need to check that! Down on the far left is a city in Manrdin. It's amazing and I would absolutely love to live there! They are the traditional stone houses in Mardin. For those of you who watch Turkish soaps, this is where series Sila (Cansu Dere, Mehmet Ali Alakurt) was taped. On the bottom centre is the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia, and bottom far right is the Bosphorus Bridge (a miniature of course). :)

The large photo on the bottom is our group from Australia. The group consists of business people (I don't like the use of businessmen lol) who have attended the TUSKON convention to meet and do business with other businesses in Turkey. A lovely group of people... We Aussies are different, down to earth, have a great sense of humour... something which became more clear in contrast with a large group of people (thousands) from all over the world. The large photo is from the opening ceremony. The top far right and far left photos are from our boat tour of the Bosphorus. The far right photo is from the Rumeli Fortress. I look forward to attending a concert there this summer. Should be an experience! The top centre photo is taken from a little cafe at the Gulhane Park. I just love it htere. Awesome view. You also get tea served in pots. It's a wonderful experience for those who love tea.. I don't drink tea but also enjoyed the view. This park is very close to Eminonu (we actually walked down) and Sultan Ahmet (Blue Mosque). If you are in Istanbul, do pay a visit. This park used to be where Sultan Abdulhamid Han gathered the people and made public announcements.

Posted on 5:22 AM / 0 comments / Read More

I'm going!

Just a few days ago I was on the phone with a friend. I haven't seen her almost 2 months now, but we talk on the phone or text each other whenever we can. The last time I spoke to, she asked, "are you still at the same place/house?"

She knows me so well after 10-11 years of friendship that she knows it is very ordinary for her that I may have changed homes (moved) or countries since the last time we spoke.

It is true; you can expect me to decide on something and act upon that decision right away. I am actually quite stable, I mean I like standing on solid ground, but at the same time I am very spontaneaous. Well, it seems that most members of my family and friends are quite used to this. I decided to go to Turkey this week (I'm flying in 24 hours). I discussed it on Wednesday, decided on Thursday, purchased ticket on Friday, told mum and some friends on Friday night, updated my Facebook status on Sunday, and flying Monday after midnight (it's actually Tuesday morning since it's after midnight).

I will only be away for 2 weeks. I have some business and need some time out. So I'm hoping that it's going to be an exciting couple of weeks inshaallah.

So please make dua and wish all the best. I hope to be back with some news too. :))

Mucuxxxxx

Posted on 7:22 AM / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEO: Islamic Clothes, Fashion and Accessories Fair - Istanbul

Okay ladies, I found a very short video from the fair, and ya know what? It's in English!!! So that's even better aye?

Anyhow, also, check out the stuffs in the background too to get a glimpse of some of the scarf designs. Ohhh I'm sooo drooling... :)

Posted on 12:10 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Islamic Clothes, Fashion and Accessories Fair - Istanbul

I don't know how many of you are aware or have heard of it, but the world's first Islamic Clothes, Fashion and Accessories Fair was hosted in Istanbul last week. It actually ended just yesterday, the 4th of October, 2009.

I've been following Turkish media for the past couple of months regarding the event, and couldn't wait for it to happen even though I knew I was not going to be attend it this year. I really wanted to participate as a guest, but it's not that easy to just up and leave to the other part of the world considering certain circumstances...

Anyhow, I do dream to have a stall there one day, so I was hoping that this first one was a success. However, to my disappointment, there has been only 1 article that I could find. I checked almost all major Turkish newspapers, did an online search, but all the articles were from months or days before the event. I am wondering if media coverage was restricted due to the arguments it may give rise to once more in Turkey? As most of you will know, the hijab is a huge subject of argument in Turkey... So I'm wondering if they're just trying to prevent that?

Anyhow, I will share the only piece of coverage I could find, but I really am pissed that I couldn't find more. Also, no photos either! Oh how I wish I was there! :( Inshaallah in the future years.. I not only want to be there, but I dream of having my own stall inshaallah. Hey, a girl can dream can't she? :)

Okay okay, here is the article from Hurriyet Daily News (it's only in the English version, not even in the Turkish!)... If I find anything else in the next couple of days, I will do a follow-up!

The first Islamic fashion fair in Istanbul
Friday, October 2, 2009
Vercihan Ziflioğlu
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Istanbul hosts its first Islamic Fashion Fair. The fair, which opened its doors Thursday and will continue until Oct. 4, features prominent Turkish brands that appeal most to secular society

Wearing a veil has been one of the hottest topics on Turkey’s agenda over the past year, especially between the secular and the religious. And with the conservative Justice and Development Party, or AKP, ruling the state, the arguments have escalated.

The first Turkish Islamic Clothes, Fashion and Accessories Fair, which opened its doors at Istanbul Expo Center on Oct. 1, seems that it will bring the topic to the agenda again. The fair gathers veil producers, retail dealers, wholesalers and foreign Islamic clothes importers.

During this fair, the trends of Islamic fashion for 2010 will be displayed. The participating firms and fashion designers have the chance to promote their new pieces at stands and through fashion shows. There will also be a competition, allowing designers and firms to participate with creations for 2010, such as scarves, veils and coats.

The fair expects to host 3,000 foreign professional visitors and 12,000 local visitors. Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United States, France and Germany are among the participating countries.

At the fair there are Turkish brands that appeal mostly to the secular society of Turkey, such as Vakko. The brand, which opened in the 60s and is known for its modern designs, is operating a scarf stand at the fair.

The officials of the brand did not want to talk about their participation in the Islamic fashion fair yet one of them, who did not want to reveal her name, said it wouldn’t be proper if the brand’s name is mentioned with this fair. When asked why they are a part of the fair, the woman said, “We opened a stand here because the veil now has a market value and we have to follow the latest developments and trends in this market.”

No handshaking

The fashion shows at the fair showcase the latest trends in headscarves, burqas and scarves with the most famous models. Among them was Şenay Akay, considered one of Turkey’s top models, who often appears in tabloids showing her lifestyle and what she wears. “Akay, during this fashion fair, does not prefer to speak to the media,” said Hüseyin Aslan, the general manager of the organizing firm, Demos Fair and Organization.

Other than the models and officials of the brands that have stands at the fair, visitors do not want to talk either. And furthermore, men avoid any kind of contact with women. Some women who reached out to men to shake hands had their hands left hanging in the air.

At the fair there is great interest from the Muslim world, especially from Jordan and Thailand.

According to Aslan, the biggest aim in opening this fair is to promote the Turkish textile sector to foreign countries through burqas. “We intend to establish a place in the world market with this fair. Another aim of ours is to meet the needs of the Muslims living in Europe,” he said.

Noting that the textile sector produces more quality goods each year, Aslan said, “The burqa is a market around the world and Turkey could be a leader in this market.”

Aslan thinks that there is no conflict over the veil and scarf issue in Turkey, and he believes that interest in the burqa, just like sales, are the same compared to past years. “The interest in the burqa has neither increased, nor declined,” Aslan said.

Burqini, the new trend

One of the most attractive stands at the fair belongs to Haşema Tekstil (Burqini Textile). A burqini is a swimming suit version of the burqa and it is designed to hide the lines of the body. Esra Çelik, who has designed burqinis for nearly 10 years, said: “I don’t wear a burqa or use a scarf to cover my hair, but designing burqinis makes me happy. It is a new field in the textile sector and it enables me to design freely.”

Çelik said there is great interest in burqinis not only from Turkish and Arabic people but also from Muslims living in Europe. The textile company sometimes has a hard time meeting demand.

Çelik said Turkey’s secular society and the western world are biased about the burqa. “I find the arguments really trivial. Let people wear what they want,” she said.

There are also many foreign brands operating stands at the fair. Bob Singal, from Thailand, is one of them. It is his second time in Turkey and he is happy that such a fair could be opened in Istanbul. “Turkey is a modern country that connects East and West. Being a bridge between East and West brings many interesting characters. There are both modern-looking people and there are people who are wearing a burqa. It is a colorful country.”

Elyas Kapall is another participator. He is from Morocco but has been living in Paris for many years now. He also thinks that it is good to have this fair in Istanbul. “Turkey brings differences to the Muslim world. It is a richness that this Muslim country sets as an example,” he said.

Nurin Kaan, from Dubai, was another visitor. She said she liked the idea of having an Islamic fashion fair in Istanbul but she said she found the designs inadequate.

Besides the regular wear garments, there will also be bridal dresses, nightgowns and children’s clothing.

Posted on 11:11 AM / 0 comments / Read More

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival

I don't know how it goes in other countries or if anything special is done, but here, every year there is a 4 week Tulip Festival to celebrate the coming of spring.

Now why do I write about this you may ask?

Hmm.. Well, apart from loving flowers and the tulip being one of my favourites, I wanted to mention the significance of tulips for Turks (the Ottomans) and our history...

Have any of you noticed the official logo for Turkey?

As you can see, the tulip has been used as the symbol of Turkey...

There is a misconseption that the tulip is from Holland whereas tulips are indegineous to Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and central Asia. They were first imported to Europe from Turkey (Ottoman Empire) in the 16th century.

The reason that tulips are associated with Holland rather than Turkey is because the Turks "forgot" about the tulip while the Dutch continued to grow and export them globally for hundreds of year to date.

The tulip craze of the Ottomans coincides with the corruption of the Ottoman Empire. Until that time all the gardens and parks in Turkey (especially Istanbul) were adorned with tulips, roses, carnations and daffodils. So much so that after having seen the streets, houses and mansions of Istanbul amongst all the greenery and flowers, an English woman named Miss Julia Parabe is quoted to say, "If only Shakespeare had seen the Bosporus before writing the garden scene in Romeo and Juliet".

Due to their infatuation with the tulip, the corruption period of the Ottoman Empire was called the "Tulip Period".

The tulip also has significance amongst the sufis. This is due to the letters used in the Turkish name of the tulip (lale - pronounced laa-leh). In its Arabic form, both "lale" (tulip) and "Allah" (God) contain the same letters and in the same order. There are also a couple more things about this, but I wanted to give your eyes a feast with this post rather than a lesson in history. :) Sorry if I bore your brains out at times... It's just that the symbol of the tulip, the story behind it in our history and culture etc etc just intrigues me.

As I was saying... the Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Victoria, Australia. I really really wanted to go last weekend on the 19th-20th of September, 2009 as it was the Turkish Weekend and the Turkish culture was showcased, but I missed out. :( Oh well, I am still going to try and go within the next couple of weeks before it's over.

Hey! If anyone in Melbourne is interested, let me know, we can do a group thing on a nice sunny day?

Anyhow, I couldn't go last week, but thankfully a photographer I know went and shared all the amazing photos he took. By the way, a little advertising for my photographer friend. His name is Hakan Dalar and he's established in Melbourne. His work is amazing, fantastic, wonderful, professional... What more can I say? If you are in Australia, then I would definitely recommend his services. He also works interstate, so he's not bound to Victoria only. :) I have provided the link for his website, but it's not up yet. If you are interested and would like to see examples of his work, you can currently contact him and see a very large portfolio through his Facebook account.

Now that I'm done with the advertising, you can enjoy the photos... ahhh they're absolutely gorgeous mashaallah!

Photos from the Tesellaar Tulip Festival courtesy of Hakan Dalar Photography.

What is your favourite flower?

Posted on 12:14 PM / 0 comments / Read More