Why I Started Gencodipity?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for travel. Growing up in Türkiye, my family’s trips were always within the country, but at 13, my parents saved enough to send me abroad for the first time. That trip to the UK was a defining moment in my life. It was when I caught the travel bug.

Now, at 41, I’m on a year-long career break, and for the first time, I’ve found the space to reflect on that passion. Why have I started this project? Because I’ve learned that storytelling is part of my DNA. Whether it was crying over a canceled trip as a child because I wouldn’t have anything exciting to tell my friends, or eagerly sharing travel tips with anyone who asks. This is me. I live to tell stories.

But here’s where I’m different: instead of sharing every step of my journey in real-time, I take my time. I need to experience the full cycle of a trip, reflect, and then share. What was the best itinerary for 3 days? Where did I find the best tapas? What’s the most over-hyped tourist experience? This blog is my way of putting my reflections into the world once I’ve had the time to process.

Image shot at Tanzania

And yes, I’m doing this for another reason: I’m lazy. You wouldn’t believe how often I get the question, “Any tips for Dublin?” And while I love sharing my insights, I don’t always have the time to dig through old photos, notes, or group messages. So, here’s my solution: this blog. Now, when someone asks where to get their first pint of Guinness, I can say, “Avoid Temple Bar and head to Bowe’s instead. It’s just 5 minutes away!” And the best part? My friends can add their own reflections too, keeping the info fresh and relevant.

So, what can you expect to see here? As a Turkish guy who’s been living in Ireland for 12 years and visited 31 countries (soon to be 36), I’ve got plenty of content coming your way. Expect destination tips (starting with Istanbul and Dublin), travel hacks (like packing for 3 months in one backpack), and personal reflections (career break thoughts, overcoming FOMO, and more).

So, welcome to Gencodipity. Let’s go!