2023 Earthquake: Remembering Antioch in Photos
Antakya (Antioch in English) was one of the worst hit cities of the 2023 earthquakes that rocked Southeast Turkey and Northern Syria. I have traveled to Antakya many times since February trying to help with aid efforts. On one of those trips Ginny Lou and I took some time to walk around the city and remember some of our favorite places to visit and the people that we met in those places.
1—İbrahim’s Hummus
Before
İbrahim and his wife with Ginny Lou and I in front of his store.
This man has been making hummus for decades.
After
His store is still standing.
Everything was left as though he would be in the next day to continue feeding his neighborhood with delicious hummus.
This picture was taken standing in the doorway of İbrahim’s shop.
2—Mali Cups Coffee
Before
Mali Cups Coffee was a coffeeshop local to Antakya that shared a building with the Sam Franss Hotel. The hotel was a nod to the French influence on the city.
After
I heard that some of the internal walls of the hotel were damaged. I had the chance to stay there once and the architecture was stunning.
3—Affan Coffee and ice cream
Before
I visited Affan Coffee for the first time after a wedding I attended in Antakya. It’s been in business at this location since 1913 and is famous for its dessert called haytalı, which is made with a starch pudding, rose-flavored syrup, and vanilla ice cream.
After
They have opened a temporary location and continue to serve the people of Antakya.
4—Streets
The bougainvillea flowers in this picture are the same as the one pictured above.
Antakya is known for its beautiful silk products.
This is the same street where the scarves pictured to the left used to be sold.
To our friends in the West, pray for the East.
Leslie Connors
Leslie is a co-founder of West2East. Originally from Tennessee, Leslie has called Turkey home for the past eight years. To read more about her, click here.