Özge Kul
Adam Benjamin Boothman
Özge Kul
Adam Benjamin Boothman
August 28, 2026
July 26th, 2025 at Glenstone Sculpture Garden
Have you ever heard of the Arctic Tern?
When we first met, we couldn’t have been more immersed in our own life goals. Özge had come to the United States for a two-month stay with plans to pursue an artist visa. Meanwhile, Adam was in the midst of competing for a scholarship that would allow him to study in Japan. In those early months, it was difficult—almost impossible—to imagine a future together. Yet from the very beginning, we were both quietly dreaming the same dream: finding a way to stay together. Adam flew to Istanbul to see Özge at the end of the summer, and Özge returned to Washington, D.C., in the fall. As it happened, Adam was awarded the research scholarship in Japan, and Özge earned her artist visa in the United States. :) Although life seemed intent on turning us into strangers—crossing paths only to go our separate ways—we chose each other. We chose to do this together. We chose to make each other the greatest “İyi ki*” of our lives. And so, together, we returned to Istanbul. Adam received the blessing of Özge’s family, and we traveled to Edremit to celebrate our Nişan, our engagement ceremony, surrounded by close family. After creating memories across the United States and Türkiye, we are now building a life together in Japan—still following our dreams, still crossing oceans when we can, and still a little amazed by where the journey has taken us. *"iyi ki" has no English equivalent. In Turkish, it expresses deep gratitude for a person’s presence in your life— in other words, "We chose to become the happiest turn of fate in each other's lives."
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Travel
Travel Note
After you arrive in Istanbul
In Istanbul there are two airports one on the European Side and the other one is on the Asian Side. Long haul flights usually take off and land on the one on European side-Istanbul Airport (IST). When you arrive you can take HAVAIST shuttles from the airport to almost every major neighborhoods in Istanbul. This would be the most convenient way to commute from the airport.
Travel Note
How to come to Edremit?
Domestic flights are usually take off and land on Sabiha Gokcen Airport(SAW) on Asian side. This is the one you will probably take off to fly Edremit, Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport(EDO). Pegasus Airlines and Ajet are frequently flying to EDO.
Flight
Pegasus airlines
This airline company is usually flying from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport (EDO). They are cheaper and convenient
Flight
AJet
Turkish Airline's baby airline company. They usually have flights to Edremit (EDO) too.
Rental Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
In Istanbul, I wouldn't recommend commuting by car at all. However, if you find it more convenient for traveling to Edremit, the drive from the Asian side of Istanbul to Edremit takes approximately five hours, and the route is quite scenic. If you'd like to rent a car, we recommend Avis or Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Places To See
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, as a Cathedral in 537 CE, converted into an imperial mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople.
Galata Tower
Built as a watchtower in 1348. According to Ottoman folklore, inventor Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi performed the first flight from the top of the tower with artificial wings in 1632
Topkapi Palace Museum
Served as Ottoman sultans residence for nearly 400years. Really big palace with 4 courtyards, Harem, Treasury and sacred relics. We highly recommend visiting this place.
Basilica Cistern
Ancient subterranean reservoir built in 6th century
Rumeli Hisarı
Medieval Ottoman fortress, built in 1452
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Moda
a happy neighbourhood :) perfect place to relax, watching beautiful Marmara sea
Galata Kitchen
Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, home made Turkish cuisine
Çiya Sofrası
One of the best restaurant if you want to try mediterranean influenced Turkish cuisine
Kahve 6
Best Turkish breakfast
Marmara Balık Dürüm
Adam's favorite Turkish fast food :)
ISKENDER Kurulus 1867
the iskender :)
Ortaköy
Neighborhood has a spectavcular view but also famous with Kumpir(loaded baked potato) and Waffle
Balat Toy Museum
Balat
One of Istanbul’s oldest and most historically rich neighborhoods, located along the Golden Horn in the Fatih district.
Kimyon Kadıköy
They have great food and they are open until 6am in the morning every day.
BINA
A cool bar, careful it can get too crowded during weekend
Yeldegirmeni
Another happy neighbourhood. You can find a lot of cafes and second hand shops
Cihangir
Another happy neighbouthood