Thankful Thursday: Istanbul, teşekkür ederim (thank you)

It’s Thankful Thursday and this week it's all about Istanbul, Türkeye where I am while writing this post!

I may have come for the baklava, my top of the list, most ever favorite dessert. Actually, it’s so much my favorite that I don’t have to wait until dessert to have it. It is, in fact, edible at any time of the day or night. That’s how much I love baklava. So sweet. So rich. So piled up high. And, oh so delicious. And I digress.

It wasn’t the very idea that I could buy baklava on every corner in Istanbul that got me here. It was the invitation of a client of Mercedes Martin & Company, where I serve as the Strategic Advisor to the CEO. I am here with our partner firm, Spaciousness Works, in support of our client's global team summit.

Everyone needs clients like this. Those who value your counsel and enjoy your company enough to fly you 6,066 miles to join them in one of the most fascinating cities in the world. While the work has been heady, as most team summits are, to experience it in Istanbul is a gift that will keep giving and giving for a long time.

With 20 million+ residents total, the European side of the city feels overwhelming yet the neighborhoods familiar. The first area I stayed in was very walkable and packed with small stores (and a lot of baklava!). On one hand it reminded me of some parts of urban North America, and on the other it was dramatically different. And for the week I’m located on the Asian side of Istanbul at a lovely countryside family-owned hotel where the meals are cooked from the heart!

I don’t speak Turkish but downloaded a translation app in the taxi ride from the airport. As I passed my phone back and forth to the driver, on highways packed with rush hour traffic, I’m grateful I arrived safely with a lot of laughs and the thought that this was going to be a very good trip. So far. So good.

Look for Part 2 next Thursday. Istanbul is sure to serve up more gratitude!