Sinanation

My dad has always been a man of traditions. Firm on his beliefs, a man of his word, always prepared for though debates, he has never ceased to be an artisan on his interests. Although he has habits that I believe need a bit of modernization, I am constantly bombarded by a few that deserve undisturbed appreciation.

To start with I can think of a few examples that always push the father and son into conflict. The way he insists on getting the minimum amount of technology in his new cars, believing that they will require less maintenance that way, is something we can never agree on. I remember us fighting over getting CD players and electronic driver seats. We have now moved onto getting the outlet for MP3 players as an additional accessory. A similar conflict is apparent in avoiding custom fit clothing and going for clothes that are a litter bigger in size, thus more comfortable, reliable and fattening-friendly.

Despite the few conflicts, there are also details that I once complained about and now can’t get enough of. I don’t know how long I have criticized the way my dad tests out a new pair of shoes at the store, walking around with them for at least 20 minutes, putting me and the salesperson into cardiac arrest. I am now a big supporter of this unusual habit helping me avoid shoes that stab the feet to death whenever one takes a long walk.

Dad’s barber shop has been the same since 1979. His shoe repair shop must have been around for more than a century. I used to think they were outdated, but now I confess that they are still incredible.

I must have gone to his hair salon until the age of 7 when I took a detour to try “cooler” places with funkier hair styles. I left only to come back. I want my hair to grow faster so I can get that I-am-so-relaxed-I-can’t-help-falling-asleep head massage as a complimentary service. Everything is so good at this salon that I can even endure the hairdresser’s “My dear Sinan I remember the days when you had such beautiful blond hair. Now you are brown and going bold” comments.

I keep noticing that I specifically wear leather shoes to the office to be able to take a break at the Pangaltı Lostra Salonu, take my place on the famous red leather chair and watch the professionals take my shoes to a luxurious spa. Pangaltı is a landmark and you are reminded of its legacy the moment you step inside: the smell of fresh paint, the colorful shoe-ties hanging from the ceiling, the blue work aprons on the employees and the legendary always-a-bit-somber owner Ibrahim Varlık looking over all at the end of the tiny shop.

I believe music is one of the most personal hobbies of the mankind, but it is also our most cherished collective entertainment. That is why entertainers always crash into a big wall of conflict whenever they try to appeal to a certain crowd with their preferable playlist. It is impossible to please everyone and hard to not take it personal when someone comes up with a complaint or a suggestion.

It drives me nuts to see friends dance, groove, shake for a while and then come up to me just to say “Sinan you know that this is a really old song, right?” Out of the 50 songs you play at an event there will be a few OLD songs that you favor even though they were last heard at the Spring Break of 1997 or the ball dance of 1992 or the ski trip of 2009 or the Mykonos trip of 2006.

Yes my few dear friends who are always sure to let me know that “the song currently played is an old song” I know that I am playing a vintage. A vintage that still feels like brand new. A vintage that takes me back to the good old days. A vintage that makes me dream of a brighter future. A vintage that makes me enjoy today even more than I would normally do. If you look around you will find others that feel the same way about this specific OLD song. You know you have a few of those too.

If you stop whining and let me enjoy my vintage I might just play your favorite next.

Butterfly

I have never been a chocolate cake fan until I had the Pralin Feuillete at Butterfly. I used to find them either too bitter or too creamy. Thanks to my aunt, I was first dragged to Butterfly’s Istinye Park location because of its heated outside seating that welcomes smokers. Surrounded with numerous heaters and topped with a few layers of complimentary throws, I had no clue that this little bakery tucked in a corner of the famous shopping mall was serving some of the best chocolate products in the city. My most favorite, the Pralin Feuillete is a French dessert eaten widely around the world. Yet what makes this particular one so special is its bottom layer that tastes like cookie crumbs mixed perfectly with the famous Crunch chocolate bar. The top is covered with a thin slice of milk chocolate and the middle is filled with a dense chocolate mousse. Pair it with a cup of coffee and you’ll be in dessert heaven.

Dolce

This hidden small gem in Kuruçeşme is run by one of the best caterers in Turkey. She also keeps a small cafe for guests to enjoy the best brownies and chocolate souffle in the city. It is best when you enjoy them in the afternoon with Turkish Coffee. Looking directly at the Bosphorus from a high floor-to-ceiling window, Cafe Di Dolce makes visitors feel like they are back in their cozy living room. Every detail here is the work of an extremely talented and perfectionist owner. Besides the desserts at the cafe, birthday/occasional cakes are taken by order only and are strongly recommended. Everything from the flavor to the cookies placed on the top can be personalized. The ingredients are seasonal. If you are in during the peach ripening, choose nothing else but white chocolate and fresh slices of peach inside.

Passion

A romantic cafe/restaurant located in Yeniköy. The working fireplace inside keeps the place cozy during winter and the terrace outside is great for summer. Dinner especially recommended for couples. The cheesecakes are one of the best in the city. Address: Koybaşı Cad. No: 78 Yeniköy Istanbul

I can’t do without eating at this Chinese heaven whenever I visit Paris. Simply the best Peking Duck I have ever eaten anywhere in the world so far. The bill might sizzle your wallet depending on how big your appetite is. The fancy crowd will distract you from the delicious food from time to time. No matter what, shop a little less on Saint-Honore and reward yourself with this exceptional duck.

Hüseyin Karadayı redesigns another legacy. I am not a big fan of the guy speaking in English and “pumping” it in between the lyrics on the background, but overall Karadayı delivered yet again. I love the beat and I have been long a fan of the song, originally sang slow by the famous Ajda Pekkan.

You have probably seen this amazing photo before. Sharbat Gula was photographed in a Pakistan refugee camp in 1984 when she was 12 years old by the famous photographer, Steve McCurry. Her incredible photo would become the cover of National Geographic in 1985 and would be the symbol of the sharp clash between violence and beauty. Sharbat’s photo is one of the few photos that really move me, not only because of her beauty but because of the history she reveals.

Sherbat was found again only after 17 years of the original photo. Now married with 3 children, she lives in Afghanistan, unaware of her fame, untouched by the greed of our capitalist world, now hoping to be the start of an era where Afghan women can complete their education. Her life is one worth noting.

There is one more thing I can’t help but notice (and am terribly sorry to say) in this incredible observation of life through photography: women do really get uglier as years go by.

Perrier with lemon syrup on the rocks. Simply the most refreshing.

Turkey has gone through a historical Sunday on September 12th. The Turks flocked town centers to vote for a constitutional referendum that would redesign the foundation of our country’s constitutional charter. After 5 p.m. when many felt lighter and prouder with their contribution to the Turkish democracy, our national basketball players stepped on the field to play the toughest game against the U.S. The shine in sports blended into the turmoil in politics, giving us just enough room to breathe out the fear of the unknown and breathe in the excitement of a national phenomena.

Wounded with guilt, ashamed of my idleness, worried about the future, perplexed by success and filled with the urge of nationalism I sat behind the TV, watching the change. My mediocre knowledge in politics rushed on top of my thoughts to make a sense out of the YES vs. the NO. My interest in basketball tripled to catch up with my urge to fully support my country’s success among the top players around the world.

I kept worrying even though I predicted the outcome of the poll. I trembled even though I knew that success would be a tough conclusion to a deadly match against the mighty America. I am happy that we reached the stars in basketball and played against the best in a world-famous tournament. We have done the best we could and we have the spirit to be even greater next time. Yet, I am worried that we haven’t showed the same determination in planning the faith of our country.

Team spirit is an essential part of sports, but it seems to be the sole subverter of rational thinking in the area of politics. It has become a national habit for us to idolize rulers of our government. We have idolized Atatürk rather than his revolution, something I believe he was afraid of since he founded the Republic of Turkey. Unfortunately he was gone before he could teach us to be our own Atatürks. We have never been able to shake off the need to completely depend on someone. We rushed to the polls, his portraits in our hands, on our chests and walls, hoping to find another that could reach his success and wisdom in modernization, politics and democracy. We have been long waiting for another Atatürk.

We have chosen to escrow the legacy of our great saviour to politicians based on their personal lifestyle and beliefs. From Turgut Özal to Tansu Çiller, we have been through numerous presidents and prime ministers. We have been let down numerous times. Carried away by their modern style and fat promises, we faced all the bad these politicians have done to our country for the good of their personal power and wealth. In most cases the sweet taste of station overruled the responsibility over a nation. Our current prime minister is going through the same test.

Turkey shouldn’t be afraid of personal differences and cease to brainstorm ways to get rid of them. Religion is a choice. Headscarf is a choice. Topless sunbathing is a choice. Covering the hair but pulling up a mini skirt is a choice. From the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic, we have always been ready to welcome all. Yet, we need to realize that there are always bigger things at stake: the fertile land that has been our home since the great Anatolian wars, the national corporations that represent the legacy of our culture, the common grounds that nestle us under a single roof… bigger things that we are not aware of until they are permanently gone.

Will we make the same mistake when we could listen, educate and analyze rationally? Will we again drown our ex-government in disappointment? I look forward to another September 12th when I will be in the line to vote and on my seat in the stadium to cheer for our team. I hope then Turkey will win in both grounds.

SPƎNGLISH, a high-end t-shirt company that would plunge the popular sayings of our time into funky Spanish, has been Simon’s biggest obsession since the day I met him. The idea was great. The founder was the perfect fit. So we had all the reason to be impatient and teased Simon about the undetermined launch date whenever we had the opportunity.

(ABOVE: The Three Musketeers: Sinan, Musa, Simon)

We kept abusing his business mind with his slow progress although he was never tired of saying “Paps it is on the way. Launching next week. Launching next month.” He never gave up his incredible spirit. He never ceased to network with anyone who welcomed his amazing social skills and unbeatable energy. The good news came my way a few weeks ago: at a time when Simon’s BBM contact list reached over 200 people; at the point where we have given up hope and thought our socialite friend was carried away by the sweet social scene of New York.

SPƎNGLISH finally launched and I must say I am deeply impressed. I confess “it was worth the wait”.

After months of brainstorming came out a t-shirt brand that embraces all the good of the Spanish culture and uses it to create its own funky identity. It is charming, modern and sophisticated.

The website is the biggest proof of SPƎNGLISH’s great spirit. I say check it out and order a few t-shirts to take advantage of the final drops of warm weather.

I am hoping to get Simon to send over a few samples to Istanbul. My favorites are “Green Go” and “Beverly Hilli Pollas”. He already knows I will be a good mobile ad campaign.

From a distance, Arete looks like a private Tuscan villa with a big porch surrounded by linen curtains. 20 min. outside of Lecce, this restaurant is an institution of delicious appetizers and steak. From the warm bread served before dinner to the cheese served in between courses, everything here is worth trying. The warm chocolate croissants are a must for dessert.