Hello Wednesday Walk community! Today, I want to take you to Bahçeşehir Gölet, a very special point where we can get away from the crowd and huge buildings of Istanbul and breathe, where nature and modern life are intertwined. This little visit we had with my brother recently was one of the most relaxing moments of the week for me. Actually, this place is not very far from our house, but considering the famous distances and traffic of Istanbul, it is not possible to say walking distance. We arrived after a journey of about half an hour by car, and this time is actually quite short and acceptable time for a megacity like Istanbul. This is one of the places I wish we could go more often if we had the opportunity.
When we got there, we were greeted by a slightly cloudy but extremely fresh and delicious weather. That calmness of being there early in the morning really takes one's soul to another dimension. The noise of the city we are used to gives way to the sounds of birds and the whisper of the wind between the leaves. The day we went had a very meaningful importance for Turkey; April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day was celebrated. Seeing the celebration areas prepared for children in the park, chirping energy and holiday enthusiasm added a special color to our walk. It was a little more crowded than usual because it was a holiday, but this situation never spoiled that peaceful atmosphere.
Although the weather was a little cool, there were a lot of people on the walking paths around the pond. I think this place has a built-in walking routine; people are used to wearing sportswear early in the morning and enjoying this beautiful nature. While walking, the surrounding architectural structure also caught my attention. This place is far from the suffocation of multi-storey, huge buildings, just like in other parts of Başakşehir. There is a settlement order that is closer to the ground, where you can step on the ground, and where villa-style houses are dense. This adds a much more spacious and humane atmosphere to the region. Even the stylish cafes, restaurants and workplaces lined up along the way are positioned to adapt to that green texture of nature.
My brother had a job there that would take about an hour. While he was focused on his job, I devoted this time completely to myself and my steps. It was very good for me to pass through those magnificent green tunnels, which you can also see in the photos, and to move slowly on the cobblestone roads. Sometimes a person just gets into a conversation while walking with a friend, but while walking alone, he really explores his surroundings. In that hour or two, I had the opportunity to watch the light filtering through the trees, the careful details of the landscape and the reflections on the pond. The red-leaved bushes and fresh spring flowers on the sides of the hiking trail were a great contrast with the gray sky.
After finishing our work, we returned home with my brother. This short getaway felt like medicine to me in the middle of busy city life. It is really a great luxury to be in Istanbul and feel so far away from the city. Bahçeşehir Gölet will always be one of my favorite stops with both its social facilities and its peaceful walking routes. I hope you can feel the fresh coolness of that morning and the peace of green while looking at the photos. May your steps always take you to such beautiful and relaxing roads.