A positive story from Turkey

Mushtaq · 8th May 2016, 10:25

Syrians Set Up Shop In Turkey, Because Who Needs Europe?

ISTANBUL -- Mohamed Nizar Bitar is never far from his seven Syrian restaurants in Turkey. Even as he sat down to a lunch of fried falafel, fresh hummus, and lamb dumplings in warm yogurt at one of his Tarbush eateries in April, he monitored the other six restaurants via security cameras that stream live to his mobile phone.

Bitar, of Damascus, is one of hundreds of restaurant owners catering to the 2.7 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey. He left Syria five years ago, abandoning three factories that made mosaics and stone, and reinvented himself as a restaurant mogul in Istanbul. Today his seven restaurants and two bakeries employ around 300 people, mainly Syrians, he said, and they have been anchors in the "Little Syria" of Istanbul, Aksaray. The business is named Tarbush -- Arabic for fez -- in a nod to the hat commonly worn during the Ottoman Empire's rule.

Movable Feast: Syrians Set Up Shop In Turkey, Because Who Needs Europe?

On my last trip to Istanbul I ended up in Aksaray by chance and was surprised to find so many Syrian shops and restaurants, we stopped for a fantastic lunch at very reasonable price, will definitely try to visit the area again.

IbrahimAbi · 8th May 2016, 10:43

Afiyet olsun, I will try this when next in Istanbul

stuart · 9th May 2016, 05:54

A positive story in TLF...I don't believe it...haha!

Seriously, I agree with your advice on Aksaray as a place to stay when in Istanbul, good hotels there, easy to get to from the Ataturk airport, a short trip on the metro, plenty of good places to eat, good shopping in the area, close to all the main tourist attractions and very handy place to get public transport to the rest of Istanbul.

IbrahimAbi · 4th May 2018, 08:23

Some cats in Turkey not only get to live their nine lives, but now they will also get to swim in their own specially-designed pools in summertime.

Turkish Van cats, who are known for their odd-eyes and their fluffy white hair, are the lucky feline species in the country set to get an opportunity to swim in three pools specifically designed for their needs.
Turkish Van cats not only get nine lives, but also pools

IbrahimAbi · 20th June 2018, 10:04

It's great to hear some positive stories about footballers. Aferin nuri and Neven.

Turkish-German footballer Nuri ?ahin opens water wells in Ethiopia

IbrahimAbi · 9th November 2018, 08:03

A university student who was left locked inside their apartment by his forgetful sister has managed to get to his exam on time thanks to helpful municipality workers and police in Istanbul.
Student locked in apartment gets to exam on time thanks to workers, police in Istanbul - Turkey News

IbrahimAbi · 21st November 2018, 11:17

Now this is what you call initiative:-

Christmas wreaths made by housewives exported to over 20 countries

Hilsjw · 22nd November 2018, 07:36

Yes, I have seen these wreaths & they are very tasteful & not at all cheap & gaudy looking. I am surprised though that fresh plants/flowers are aloud import permission because of possible disease.

Hilsjw · 22nd November 2018, 07:37

Allowed !!! Sorry.

IbrahimAbi · 22nd November 2018, 09:07

Man dismantles car to save trapped kitten.

Man dismantles car to save trapped kitten in Turkey?s south