And That’s The Çay

In case you guys don’t already know, I write smut. Officially, I like to refer to myself as an “author of multicultural rom-com’s set against the backdrop of magnificent Türkiye”, but after an interview that I did last year was pulled from a major Turkish newspaper because my writing was deemed “too vulgar”, I’d rather just call a spade a spade. So, yeah, smut.

I know that a huge number of book sales come from a rather active corner on Tiktok called “Booktok”. You make a reel about your book, you make it hot and steamy, and the masses will come. Seems simple, yeah?

I’ve tried to make reels but I just can’t seem to get my head around it. I guess I could pay someone to do it, but, hey, I live in Türkiye, and most of us can’t afford bread these days let alone pay for a social media advisor manager. I’ll stick to blogging and the very occasional sale of my smutty books, thankyouverymuch!

Recently, I stumbled upon a BookToker (yes, that’s a real term) gushing over Turkish diziler, and my aimless scrolling came to a crashing halt. Turkish diziler is MASSIVE on Booktok!

The world of Turkish diziler is a treasure trove of slow-burn romances, heartwarming stories, and captivating plotlines. From Erkenci Kuş (Early Bird) starring the dreamy Can Yaman to Sen Çal Kapımı (You Knock on My Door), there is no shortage of swoon-worthy content. While the world has recently caught on to these gems, we expats and Türkiye enthusiasts have been enjoying them religiously for years.

Now, let me introduce you to a few of my absolute favourites that will undoubtedly make you fall head over heels:

Seversin (English: Love and Hate)

Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, redemption, second chance.

No. of episodes: 20 episodes

This one-season wonder revolves around Tolga, a famous actor with a huge chip on his shoulder, and Asya, whose encounter sparks a “hate at first sight” kind of chemistry. Prepare to be wrapped around its fingers!

“İyi Günde Kötü Günde” (Happily Ever After)

Tropes: love triangle, second chance

No. of episodes: Only 6, so your next rainy Sunday is sorted.

Synopsis: Leyla, a wedding planner, finds herself organizing the wedding of her ex, Sarp. The drama unfolds as past and present collide in this short but gripping series.

Gönül İşleri (Love Affairs or Affairs of the Heart)

Tropes: Opposites attract, second chance

No. of episodes: 28

A tale of three sisters and their journey with hearts and love. The hottie, Can Yaman, got his start on this show so its worth watching for him alone!

Bay Yanlış (Mr. Wrong)

Tropes: Love/hate, opposites attract

No. of episodes: 14

Another banger with the beautiful Can Yaman. This specimen is built for rom-com’s and I’ve now just realised I’ve referred to three of his shows in this post. I’m clearly fan-girling but, damn, he is one beautiful man!

Ah Nerede (Oh Where?):

Tropes: This one has so many different rom-com tropes in it, I don’t know where to begin.

No. of episodes: 7 (was originally a 1975 film starring Tarik Akan)

Follow the adventures of three brothers who chase their own passions after being sent to Istanbul for education. This series is a delightful blend of various rom-com tropes that will keep you hooked.

Her Yerde Sen (Everywhere I Go):

Tropes: opposites attract, love/hate, mistaken identity

No. of episodes: 23

Architect Demir faces chaos and comedy when he buys his childhood home, only to discover that he shares it with Selin, who refuses to move out. A true recipe for laughs and love!

Benim Tatli Yalanim (My Sweet Lie)

Tropes: I’m a sucker for the single dad trope so I’m totally down for rewatching this one.

No. of episodes: 28

Get ready for a heartwarming story of a single father whose little white lie opens the door to a blossoming romance.

For those who prefer to indulge in the world of podcasts, “Dizzy for Dizi” is a must-listen. Hosted by two Californian girls, they religiously watch these diziler and provide insightful breakdowns of each episode. Their latest obsession? “Aşk 101 (Love 101)” – think Gossip Girl meets 90210.

Before I wrap up this passionate ode to Turkish dizis, I want to hear from you! What’s your favourite Turkish dizi right now? Have any recommendations for me? Let’s keep this love affair alive and share Turkish rom-com’s with the world!

As for me, I’ll continue my quest to conquer Tiktok, even if making steamy reels feels like an impossible task. Until then, I’ll happily immerse myself in writing my smut and enjoying the heartwarming tales of love and passion from Turkish diziler.

True romance knows no boundaries, and Turkish diziler are living proof of that!

And here’s a photo of Can Yaman… just because.

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Did you know that Janey in Mersin was named one of the Top 20 expat blogs in Türkiye by Feedspot? Ch-ch-check it out here!

Shameless Self-Promotion

Today, I come bearing exciting news that will tickle your funny bone and warm the depths of your rom-com-loving heart. Drumroll, please… *cue exaggerated drumroll sound*

Introducing, “Galata and Nutmeg”, book 3 in the series Spicy Ginger Martini.

Originally scheduled for release on 14 February (St. Valentine’s Day). I know—I’m incredibly romantic (NOT)! But I pushed the release date out of respect for Türkiye. I then pushed it again because of the Turkish election(s) and now, here I am, in a bit of a rush, to get it in your hands.

I like to think it’s a delightful blend of British wit and Turkish charm, set against the vibrant backdrops of London and Istanbul with a sassy heroine and a rock-star hero. It’s like taking a joyride on a double-decker bus, with a touch of Turkish delight to keep things sweet (don’t worry, it’s also very spicy).

Trust me, it’s a literary concoction that will leave you chuckling and swooning in equal measure.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “When can I get my hands on this literary gem?” Fear not, my eager readers! “Galata and Nutmeg” is currently on pre-sale, just waiting for you to snatch up your very own copy:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7CWRD29

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7CWRD29

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C7CWRD29

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C7CWRD29

Remember to mark your calendars, because the official release date is 1st July—less than a month away! If you pre-order you very own copy today you get it straight to your Kindle at the limited pre-release price (everyone loves a bargain).

Remember, “Galata and Nutmeg” isn’t just a book—it’s an experience. So, fasten your seatbelts, grab your çay (tea) or kırmızı şarap (red wine), and get ready to dive headfirst into a rock-star rom-com that will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.

BLURB:

Business spiced with pleasure. What could possibly go wrong? 

Meg Martin’s notoriety centres around her being single. Her entire social media brand is based on quirky antidotes about atrocious dates. But, truth be known, she’s tired of the London dating scene and is ready to embark on a penis embargo… if you will… so she can deal with some of the emotional baggage tied around her neck.

Yet when her boss at the PR firm leaks an innocent photo of her with superstar Kaan, Meg is swept up in a storm of crazed fans and snooping tabloids. It could have all faded into obscurity as an unconfirmed rumour… had Kaan not been roped in to attend a wedding in Istanbul with her. 

Now, in one of the most romantic cities in the world, Meg finds herself falling for the dashing superstar. As their spark of attraction rages into an inferno of desire, Meg fights not to lose herself in a romance doomed to fail. Can Kaan prove she means more to him than fame and fortune? Or will fears of how this will affect her career prevent Meg from following her heart?

Special pre-order price (limited time – so order your copy today)

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Did you know that Janey in Mersin was named one of the Top 20 expat blogs in Türkiye by Feedspot? Ch-ch-check it out here!

Istanbul: 50 Unsung Places

I know. It’s been a while. Don’t hate me.

You’re probably thinking, “Where on earth is Janey in Mersin?” Well, let’s just say life has thrown a few curveballs my way, and I’ve been dodging them like a pro baseball player. Okay, maybe more like a clumsy amateur, but you get the idea.

But hey, we’re all in this together, right? Whether you’re in Türkiye or anywhere else in the world, it seems like we’ve been dealt a tough hand lately. Economic woes, natural disasters, wars—talk about a never-ending series of unfortunate events. It’s like we’re living in a reality TV show, and someone forgot to give us the script.

With all these challenges, finding the mental space to sit down and write a blog post has been quite the feat. I mean, who has time for witty anecdotes when life keeps throwing lemons at you? And let’s be honest, even if life handed me a limonata recipe, I’d probably end up making some sort of lemon-flavored disaster. But fear not, because I’m back… I think.

Now, as summer approaches here in Mersin, I can’t help but feel a glimmer of excitement. It’s like the universe is saying, “Hey, maybe it’s time to kick back, relax, and go on some adventures.” And that’s exactly what I plan to do. I’m dusting off my explorer’s hat and venturing into new and old destinations within the province. Who knows what wonders I’ll stumble upon? Perhaps a hidden beach or a secret cave filled with treasure. Okay, maybe not the treasure part, but a girl can dream, right?

But wait, there’s more!

Drumroll, please.

Insert drumroll sound effect here.

I’ve got a trip to Istanbul planned for August, folks! Cue the confetti cannons and the sound of distant party poppers. I’ll be reuniting with some old school buddies and catching up with my Istanbul friends, including the fabulous Lisa Morrow of InsideOutInIstanbul fame. We’re going to have a blast, and who knows what hilarious escapades we’ll find ourselves in?

Speaking of Istanbul and Lisa Morrow, if you’re fortunate enough to have visited Istanbul multiple times and find yourself craving new and off-the-beaten-path experiences, then Lisa’s latest guidebook, “Istanbul 50 Unsung Places” is an absolute must. As a devoted reader of her previous work, such as “Inside Out In Istanbul”, I was thrilled to see this new release. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

“Istanbul 50 Unsung Places” presents 50 hidden gems in Istanbul, destinations that even seasoned travellers may have overlooked. Morrow’s deep understanding and love for the city shines through as she takes you on an intimate journey, revealing the city’s hidden treasures that lie off the usual tourist trail.

What sets this guidebook apart is the author’s ability to not only provide detailed descriptions of each location but also to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity. Morrow’s writing style is engaging, making you feel as though you’re embarking on an adventure with a knowledgeable friend. Her passion for Istanbul and its lesser-known spots is infectious, leaving you eager to explore every recommendation in the book.

The selection of places featured in “Istanbul 50 Unsung Places” is diverse, catering to a wide range of interests. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a food lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape from the bustling city, you’ll find something to suit your taste. From hidden courtyards and tucked-away cafes to lesser-known neighbourhoods and forgotten historical sites, each entry in the book offers a unique perspective on Istanbul’s rich cultural tapestry.

The organisation of the guidebook is commendable. The places are arranged geographically, allowing you to plan your explorations. Additionally, each entry is accompanied by practical information, including transportation options, operating hours, and tips to enhance your experience.

“Istanbul 50 Unsung Places” is an indispensable guidebook for anyone seeking an authentic and immersive experience. Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly award “Istanbul 50 Unsung Places” a well-deserved 5-star rating!

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Did you know that Janey in Mersin was named one of the Top 20 expat blogs in Türkiye by Feedspot? Ch-ch-check it out here!

Highway Robbery

Turkiye has little to offer a young person these days, so Daughter has decided to move permanently back to Australia. She will stay with my brother for a few weeks before renting somewhere with friends. While I am sad that she will be leaving, I know it’s the right thing for her to do (and now I have an excuse to visit more often).

With her leaving, I don’t need to rent this massive apartment in the city when I have my village home. So last September, I notified my tenants that they were to move out. September became October, and before you could even say slower than a herd of snails travelling through peanut butter, it was Christmas, and they “still hadn’t found anywhere suitable”.

FYI we gave notice to our tenants following Turkish law. We went to the noter and completed the necessary forms and had them served by the PTT (postal service), all above board.

I might mention at this point that rentals in Mersin are crazy expensive. I’m talking Istanbul expensive. Last September, an apartment in the complex I live in rented for 15000TL a month!! Of course, my owner wanted me to pay the same amount, but I pointed out that I have a lease and am not even paying another kurus more than I need to.

Why are rents so high, you might wonder? 

Mersin was always an affordable city, and many people moved here because of this. It wasn’t as expensive as Istanbul or Izmir and offered great value for money coupled with an outstanding quality of living however, in the past two years, renting or buying a home was becoming unaffordable for even an average family. A large number of refugees from Syria settled in Mersin. And then, when the war broke out in Ukraine, we had a new influx of yabancilar arriving to start their lives over. With these new (and more affluent families) coming, rents and sale prices skyrocketed.

Anyway, back to the problem at hand – my tenants.

January came and went. And then it was February… and the earthquakes struck. 

Mersin’s population has increased nearly 30% in the past five weeks. Literally hours after the earthquakes unscrupulous owners and landlords latched onto the desperate need for properties, doubling or sometimes even tripling their asking prices. Disgusting behaviour by genuinely awful human beings. Rubbing their hands in glee at other people’s misfortunes.

The city of Mersin and its Mersin-ites truly stepped up after the earthquakes. The average citizen opened their homes and hearts, giving all they could to help. My SIL, Songul, has had a family of four (and their two prissy cats) staying with her since the earthquakes. She is now the guardian of her cousin’s daughter, the only survivor of her family from Hatay.

Another BIL has converted his empty shop into a home with 10 people living there.

These are the stories of how people with almost nothing still do everything they can to help others in need until they are back on their feet.

But to get back on their feet, they need somewhere to live.

One-bedroom apartments in Mersin are now 12000TL a month.

Two-bedders will set you back $16-20K a month.

If you want to rent a house rather than an apartment, you are looking at paying even more!

And it’s not just in the city. Villages outside of the city are looking at massive rental increases. Houses that could be rented for 5000TL in the mountains are now 155000TL a year!

My tenants are stuck. They cannot afford to rent even a one-bedroom unit. 

And I feel just awful about this whole mess.

I have already given notice, so I need to move out. My landlord is chomping at the bit that he can rent this place to someone else for 4 or 5 times what I am paying.

But I really need somewhere to go. 

I can’t throw my tenants out on the street.

And I can’t live with The Turk because there is a very real possibility that we will kill each other.

I’ve told my landlord I need to stay a little longer, maybe until June. He is not a happy camper, but I don’t really care. I’m still legally within my rights to stay where I am (I think). And with summer just around the corner, I might get a few more swims in the swimming pool when it opens.

Mersin Belediye has notified property owners that putting the rents up is unconscionable, and tenants can dibby-dob on their landlords if rental increases happen. Will this make a difference? It doesn’t appear so, but I guess time will tell.

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Did you know that Janey in Mersin was named one of the Top 20 expat blogs in Türkiye by Feedspot? Ch-ch-check it out here!

Losses and Lessons Learned

When I first moved to Mersin, Türkiye I befriended a ginger stray. I named her Evil because, quite frankly, she was a feral cat who hated everything and everyone. I made it my mission to win over her love and I’m pleased to say that I did.

At a little past 4AM on 6 February 2023 Evil started screaming—LOUDLY! She raced into my bedroom and jumped on the bed howling in my face.

“Bloody cat,” I grumbled to myself.

She wouldn’t settle down so I got up and wandered down the hallway in the darkness to let her out onto our terrace.

I had just crawled back into bed when it began, the first of devastating “twin earthquakes”. And while I had experienced earthquakes before here in Mersin, this one was different. It was much stronger. I currently live in a mid-level building but I have no direct knowledge of the quality of its construction so when the windows started rattling, the lights began swinging in a terrifying motion and the floors and walls began to shake I was scared.

“Earthquake!”

The epicentre of the first earthquake, a 7.8 magnitude, was outside of Gaziantep, approximately 200 kilometres from Mersin.

The second quake, a 7.5 magnitude, followed nine hours later, its epicentre 100 kilometres further north in near Ekinözü. Daughter and I had just returned home when this one struck. The building sounded like it was groaning and “popping” as it shifted back and forth. This one seemed worse, and we quickly moved to a doorway to ride it out.

The city of Mersin escaped virtually unscathed with only minor damage reported. But the cities of Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Urfa, Iskenderun and Hatay, not to mention Northern Syria, have been all but wiped from the face of the earth with nothing but mountains of rubble and twisted metal left behind.

It is difficult for me to articulate the thoughts that are currently zooming around in my head. We are safe. We have a home and food and are warm. We are fortunate, but too many families weren’t so lucky and are living through the most unimaginable horrors.

So far more than 28,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands of people are still missing. More than 100,000 people have been injured and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

This is a disaster that Türkiye and Northern Syria were not prepared for, despite what officials may say. The destruction zone is over 99,000 square km’s. For context that’s larger than the country of Hungary or the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria combined.

Our village here in Mersin has a large number of extended family from Hatay and the loss and grief can be felt in every home. My beloved sister in law lost family members and the few who were lucky enough to be pulled from their home are now safely here in Mersin.

People have asked me why was the damage so bad?

I have opinions as to why so many buildings collapsed, particularly those new-builds that were built to “withstand earthquakes” but for the sake of my family I won’t elaborate further. Those of you who live here in Türkiye already know the answer. For those of you who don’t, a simple Google search will provide you with more information.

Instead, let me tell you the story of my sister in law’s family.

Their home was in the ancient city of Antakya, in Hatay. It was built well over 50 years ago as a single storey dwelling. When children grew and married, they built another home upstairs, and so on and so forth. All in all, the building was four levels. Four levels equal four families. Grandmothers, aunts, uncles, parents, children and grandchildren all happily living together under the one roof until 4:17AM on 6 February 2023. Sadly, the foundations and columns were not designed to withstand the additional weight of those three levels and when the first earthquake struck the building collapsed.

Their entire neighbourhood is no longer standing.

Can you imagine?

Now imagine that in an area of the city you live in. Single-level residential buildings or multi-level residential buildings. New and old. Completely gone.

It has now been six days since the earthquakes struck. Governments and international organisations from around the world have responded with assistance but here on the ground it was the Turkish community who acted as one to assist with rescue and humanitarian efforts, even before any AFAD (Ministry for Interior Disaster and Emergency) teams arrived in affected areas. Within hours trucks were rolling out from Mersin with rescue teams as well as desperately needed food, clothing and medical supplies.

People are miraculously still being found alive and pulled from the rubble of their homes. We all pray that there are still more survivors that will be rescued in the coming days but the chances of finding survivors decreases as each day passes.

So, what happens now?

Türkiye will rebuild although perhaps not on the time-frame stated by those in charge.

With thousands of buildings now rubble across dozens of cities it will be years before these cities will resemble their old selves. Even intact buildings that look fine, their structural integrity may well be damaged with more buildings will likely need to be torn down.

Rebuilding critical infrastructure will be a high priority. The affected cities water supplies, sanitation services, electrical grids and transport have been damaged. Hospitals, schools and government buildings have collapsed. Right now, telecommunications to some of the smaller villages is still out (and I won’t make reference to the recent blockage of Twitter imposed at a time when rescue teams were using that form of social media on the ground to collate and map locations of people trapped under the rubble).

Here in Mersin survivors have been arriving daily. Hotels, dormitories, conference halls and private homes have opened their doors to provide temporary accommodation to those citizens who are in need, but this is only a short-term solution. Continued support and aid will be needed for many years to come.

What can you do to help?

I know times are tough for all of us right now but the best way you can help here is to donate money. The honest truth is that the collection of goods from abroad, while done with the best intentions, may never end up on the ground here due to many factors such as damaged roads, and inclement weather right now. Countries such as Australia and the US are just too far away. Money donations however will ensure that items that are so desperately needed will be purchased from locations close to the disaster zone. This will enable the fastest possible delivery to those people in the greatest need.

And don’t forget that even a small sum will make a huge difference here. You’ve probably already seen the posts on social media but just a reminder:

€10 is 28 loafs of bread.

US$10 is 130 bottles of water.

AUD$15 is 46 baby nappies.

AHBAP is an NGO based here in Türkiye. You can donate to them here.

Lisa Morrow of Inside Out In Istanbul has also written a post about overseas donations. You can view her post here.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated from everyone here in Türkiye.

And in case you’re wondering my wonderful fat cat, Evil, got a big bowl of lactose-free milk and lots of thank you hugs for warning us before the earthquake struck.

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If want a copy of the ultimate guidebook to Mersin you can grab your copy at any of the following online retailers (and yes it is available in Turkiye):

Amazon US – Kindle or paperback

Amazon UK – Kindle or paperback

Trendyol – paperback (Turkiye only)

Akademisyen Kitabevi – paperback (Turkiye only)

All sales of my books in February will be donated to AHBAP towards the relief effort.

One Finger Salute *UPDATE*

You guys all remember my infamous “One Finger Salute” post from wayyyy back in 2019, yeah?

Well, The Turk recently told me that he thinks he might know who the crazy T-1000 Terminator is!

I know!

Apparently The Turk was recently playing Okey (Turkish tile game) at a local  kıraathane (coffee house) in the Village recently when he got talking to an acquaintance (who will for the sake of this post be called T-1000). What follows is a “probably” accurate account of the conversation:

T-1000:            Is your wife yabanci (foreign)?

The Turk:         Yes.

T-1000:            Did she give have an altercation in Çamlıbel a while ago?

At that moment, the Turk realised that T-1000 is the crazy feck who threw his entire body on our car so was very particular with how he continued.

The Turk:         Yes, she did. She was waiting patiently in traffic and was being respectful to the driver in front of her that was trying to park. Some impatient prick (my words, probably not The Turk’s) behind her kept using his horn. So, she gave him the finger.

T-1000:            She was in the wrong.

The Turk:         Was she? Or was the micro peen (again my words) in the wrong for not respecting the road rules.

T-1000:            She would have been at fault legally.

At that point The Turk said he was steaming, and told me it took everything in him to not lose his shite.

The Turk:         The fecking prick (yes, yes, my words) is lucky that I wasn’t there because I would have beaten him senseless for disrespecting my wife!

T-1000:            *stares back down at his tiles and says nothing more*

The game resumes and fresh çay was brought to the table. The Turk (being a champion at times) coughed lightly into his hand and “accidentally” nudged T-1000’s çay glass causing it to spill all over him.

Oopsy daisy!

I have never been prouder of The Turk than I am right now!

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Did you know that Janey in Mersin was named one of the Top 20 expat blogs in Türkiye by Feedspot? Ch-ch-check it out here!

Kanlıdivane

As you all know I love to take my cross poodle / bishon fraise, Hurley, out on adventures. He’s 12 now and becoming a bit of a grump so we want to keep him happy and active as much as we can.

Recently Daughter and I took My Hurley Dog to the Kanlıdivane Archaeological site north of Ayaş, Mersin.

The entire archaeological site is built around a natural sinkhole. Among the highlights, there are: the Tower of Zeus Olbios, the Armaronxas Family’s Relief, the Church of Papaylos, and a temple mausoleum. The mausoleum was built by Queen Aba for her husband and sons who are said to have perished in a plague.

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Like most archaeological ruins, Kanlıdivane has a rather gruesome back story attached to it. It is said that the Turkish name, Kanlıdivane, derives from the ancient name Canytelis, which translates to “bloody crazy”. Now, technically, it no doubts refers to the red colour of the walls of the sinkhole; however, I prefer the legend that in Roman times criminals would be executed by throwing them into the sinkhole: Totally plausible reaction if you ask me.

A five-minute walk up the road from Kanlıdivane leads you to Çanakçı rock tombs. These four tombs have figures carved into the walls and an inscription condemning any grave robbers that happen upon them.

Kanlıdivane has been extensively restored by the government with pleasant walking paths (although those cobblestones are not high-heel friendly so wear walking shoes), good parking, clean toilets (always a bonus) and a small café and shop.

And, yes, My Hurley Dog had a wonderful day.

The Mersin International Music Festival holds concerts here each year.

Hours:        10.00AM – 17.00PM (summer) | 8.30AM – 17.00PM (winter)

Address:     Kumkuyu, Kanlıdivane Caddesi, 33750 Ayaş Bulvarı, Erdemli/Mersin

Telephone: 0324 231 96 18

Cost:           ₺12.50 (circa 2022)

Difficulty:  1

The only way to get here is by private car. From Mersin, head west down the Mersin-Antalya yolu (D400), then follow your GPS directions into the mountains.

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If want a copy of the ultimate guidebook to Mersin you can grab your copy at any of the following online retailers (and yes it is available in Turkiye):

Amazon US – Kindle or paperback

Amazon UK – Kindle or paperback

Trendyol – paperback (Turkiye only)

Akademisyen Kitabevi – paperback (Turkiye only)

Did you know Janey in Mersin was recently named one of the top 15 expat Blogs in Turkey by Feedspot?
Ch-ch-check it out here!

Life, Interrupted

Gosh it’s been eons since I gave you guys a proper update of life here in Mersin.

Summer is upon us yet again and bloody hell it’s hotter than Satan’s asshole after a dodgy tantuni (my most recent Twitter post)! With things hotting up I intend to spend as little time as possible in front of the computer and as much time as possible at the beach… or in the pool. Yep, I live in a complex with a pool, and a beautiful garden, and 24-hour security… everything a girl could ask for… including an elevator (my knees are forever grateful!)!!

I am officially now a city girl and completely spoilt for choice.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t give up my time in the Village for quids. It was always one hell of an adventure. But living in the Village permanently was hard work (which for those of you who have followed me since the beginning will know all about). My relationship with The Turk was never that strong to begin with, in fact one of the reasons we moved to Türkiye was because he was so miserable back in Sydney. Surely moving back to his homeland would make life better? Pfftt!

What I’ve now learned about The Turk is that he is a glass is always half empty kind of guy. He is a very good man who makes extremely bad decisions and will always put everyone else’s needs ahead of mine and Daughter’s. As time went on life just got harder. We spent little time together to begin with, as time passed little became practically none… and I realised that I didn’t really care. COVID struck with a vengeance, then the economic crisis, and we took hit after hit after hit. It was time for me to re-assess what I wanted to do with my life.

And while I didn’t want to leave Türkiye, I couldn’t continue to live in such a toxic environment. The backstabbing and bitchiness that would go on in the Village was astounding, and wayyy too much of it was directed at me. Every day there was yet another drama and, in the end, my mental health was becoming affected. I had to make a move.

Within a week of coming to my decision I had found an apartment to rent. It’s in an amazing part of the city, close to my favourite Migros and, even more importantly, my favourite restaurant!

It’s been 18 months now since I moved out of the Village and into the city and it has changed my life. Daughter is well on her way to finishing a communications degree and recently returned from Australia. I’ve written and published two more books (including a guidebook on Mersin… you can grab your copy here). I’m putting finishing touches to my next novel, Galata and Nutmeg as well as a contemporary fiction novel set in Mersin that has blown out into an epic saga is now on its second round of edits.

So if you’re looking for me I shall be by the pool… or maybe at the beach… or maybe, just maybe, having an extraordinarily large glass of red wine at my favourite restaurant (which is now stumbling distance from home).

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Meet Nancy Habbas

I met Nancy a few years ago when she first moved to Mersin. Nancy allowed me to join her on many photography expeditions around Mersin (and even further afoot), introducing me to places that I would probably have never found by myself. She is a well-renowned photographer, having taken part in photography exhibitions and festivals around Türkiye and internationally, with her most recent exhibition in Istanbul this month being a near sell-out!

One of the things I love about Nancy is her desire to get the best photo possible. She doesn’t hold back and will climb over rocks, wade through silt up to her knees or even dodge traffic to get the shot. For those of you who follow my Instagram stories you would have noticed a number of stories featuring Nancy and her crazy high-jinx’s as we travelled around Mersin taking photos and researching for the book.

These are a few of my favourite photos of her:

Sunrise at Kizkalesi. Beautiful, yeah? Gorgeous? Breathtaking?

Sunrise at Kizkalesi is all of those things and so much more. In an effort to get the photo for our cover Nancy climbed onto a long-abandoned dock resulting in her slipping in the pre-dawn light, nearly impaling herself on a metal pylon and looking like she had just done five rounds in the ring with Mike Tyson.

She also had quite a few encounters with the local dogs who were more than willing to model for her and a few even more curious four-legged friends who thought that she may or may not be available for, ahem, other things.

Nancy was never afraid to climb to the highest point of any sinkhole, ruin, mountain or cliff face dragging me kicking and screaming along for the ride!

And on-coming traffic is never really a concern… I mean they’ll stop, won’t they? Won’t they?

Mersin: All Over comes is available on Amazon on 1 June 2022. If you’re visiting Mersin, or just want to know more about the area you can pre-order your ebook here. Paperbacks will also be available on Amazon from 1 June 2022 and hopefully for those of you living in Türkiye I’ll have some available for you as well.

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Mersin: All Over

I know I’ve been threatening to do this for a while now but it looks like it’s really happening… Mersin: All Over is being formatted as we speak and will soon be live to purchase on Amazon, IBooks, Kobo, and many more!

If you’re thinking of visiting Mersin, or maybe, like me, you visited family each year and always found yourself wandering around aimlessly having no idea where to visit next, then this is for you:

MERSIN: ALL OVER

Written with 20 years of experience, expat Jane Gundogan, has assembled her knowledge, anecdotes and research into Mersin: All Over. This is the ultimate guide to uncovering the real story of this fascinating part of Türkiye. For the first time ever, this area is getting the recognition and resource it deserves, catering to a little of everything, from hidden castles to the author’s favourite restaurants. You’ll be surprised by what this often-overlooked part of the Mediterranean has to offer.

In Mersin: All Over you’ll visit the Big Five of Mersin including the incomparable Kizkalesi, historical Tarsus, the stunning dining experiences at Mersin Marina, the almost hidden Alahan Monastery, the recently-discovered Gildiere Caves and, of course, the unspoilt beaches of the Mediterranean coastline. This book will give you the inside information to discover little known places and the juicy stories behind them that bring the area to life.

Inspirational colour photography by the well-renowned photographer, Nancy Habbas, does more than just provide pictures of Mersin, her images prepare you for the beauty of what you will see. Mersin: All Over doesn’t stop at giving you helpful guides and information on places to avoid, it is also filled with hilarious anecdotes, and tips to fit everything into your day. Jane shares her expert advice for exploring the wonders of this little-known province so you can make the most of your time in Mersin.

Release date: 1 June 2022

Pre-order available soon.

And for those of you living in Türkiye I am currently in discussions with a Turkish publisher so you can buy direct at an excellent price (none of those pesky international postage charges that we all loathe).

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Loving this blog? Please help me build my audience and share with like-minded people who, like you, want to know more about this beautiful area of Türkiye. You can also subscribe or like me on Facebook for all updates.