Foreigners in the City of Silk by Anya McKee

This is an extraordinary story of how two parents in their thirties, with four children, transplanted their lives to Turkey, despite knowing no one there. As they set out on this adventure of a lifetime, there were numerous challenges, but they ultimately discovered what a privilege it was. To begin with, through a team of friends, opportunities opened up: foreign families invited them to join their expat groups, churches welcomed them, and universities were eager to partner with their editing company, giving them a way to earn a living while in Turkey. They made plans, rented their home, sold their possessions and were on their way.

But their original plans changed dramatically, and there were many moments of anxiety and exhaustion when they ended up settling in a place they didn’t want to, Bursa, rather than the more Western-friendly destination of Izmir. Even finding possessions for their new home was a challenge in this country, but they persevered. But there was still much to get their heads around when they arrived – circumcision parties, Turkish dancing, hammams, and ordering enough bottled water for each week.  After only three weeks in Bursa, their two-year-old daughter went missing, but was thankfully found safe and sound, sucking on a lollipop in the arms of a police officer. But that was just one instance of their family's worries during their time in Turkey.

Anya is a talented wordsmith, and she brings to life the sights and sounds of life in Turkey, as well as the challenges of being a Christian family in a predominantly Muslim country. The book is not a blow-by-blow account of their time there but is organised into shorter sections that cover different aspects of their lives while living in Turkey. She tells it like it is: the challenges of working, becoming part of the Foreigners Working Group, being gluten-intolerant and not wanting to be rude when offered food, and caring for and educating their children as a foreign family living in Turkey. Along the way, there are frustrations, surprises and unforgettable experiences. It is an honest account that shows the challenges, missteps and real impact on relationships, as well as the successes and personal growth.

Foreigners in the City of Silk will appeal to anyone of faith, as well as anyone interested in a well-written adventure in which a family takes the plunge and lives in another country, experiencing a culture radically different from everything they have known before.  It’s an inspiring read.

Karen McMillan

Torn Curtain Publishing