Ashes in the Light

Somewhere between the mosques, ferry rides, and endless walking, there were also afternoons that didn’t seem to belong anywhere in particular.

No attraction to rush to.
No queue to join.
No checklist to complete.

Just a little extra time.

And somehow, those became some of my favourite moments from Istanbul.

One afternoon, we found ourselves sitting with a glass of Turkish tea, watching the city move around us.

The weather was cool, the kind that made warm drinks feel especially comforting. Around us, conversations drifted in and out, ferries moved across the water, and people seemed perfectly content taking their time.

Nobody appeared to be in a hurry.

And after a few days in the city, neither were we.

One thing I noticed quickly in Turkey was how deeply tea seemed woven into everyday life.

It was everywhere.

Served after meals.
Shared between friends.
Enjoyed during conversations that seemed to stretch on for hours.

Even when people were busy, there always seemed to be time for tea.

Coming from Singapore, where life often feels scheduled down to the minute, it felt refreshing to witness a different pace.

Not slower in a lazy way.

Just slower in a more intentional way.

I think travel sometimes teaches us things we weren’t actively looking to learn.

For me, Istanbul quietly reminded me that not every moment needs to be productive.

Not every afternoon needs a plan.

And not every experience needs to become a story worth telling.

Sometimes, it’s enough to simply sit down, hold a warm glass of tea, and watch the world carry on around you.

Looking back, I don’t remember exactly what we talked about that afternoon.

I don’t remember the time.

I don’t even remember how long we sat there.

But I remember how it felt.

And somehow, that was enough.