I’ve always been enamoured with the idea of travelling – seeing new places, meeting new people, and most importantly – trying new food! I mean, what better way to experience a new place than through its food?!

I had read so much about Turkey – from its incredible ruins and architecture in Istanbul to the buzzing beaches of Antalya – that it felt natural as my first European experience. 

And then it hit me – I. Will. Be. Travelling. ALONE.

To an unknown place. With no one to accompany me. I have NEVER done something like this before. What was I doing?! I tend to keep to myself in crowds, especially new ones. The feeling (and questions) followed me right up to the second I landed. 

I had chosen to start in Antalya on a whim and I was beginning to question my sanity. It is, after all, a country that the British government deems mostly safe. Reassuring.

With trepidation I checked in to my hotel and found out that there would be a Street Food Festival the next day – the Turkiye Sokak Lezzetleri Festivali. Food – yes. Crowds – meh.

I went anyways, keeping in mind that it would be something that I might regret missing out on. The experience of watching my food being prepared was like an appetiser to the main course – the food itself. I even found my soul food – the Hatay Kunefe, thin noodle-like semolina pastry with a sweet cheese filling topped with syrup and pistachio. Just watching the noodle-like dough being swirled onto the grill got my mouth watering. Talking the the vendors, I realised – “I can do this!” Sure, it was scary at first but it was a matter of finding something new but comfortable – which is food in my case.