Good People of vitruta: Kıvanç Müçek

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello to everyone reading this! I was born in 1988 in Antalya, where I grew up as a child of the coastal city until I moved to Istanbul for university. After five wonderful years at Boğaziçi University enjoying Istanbul, life threw some surprises my way—I found myself working as a consultant in South Africa right after graduation. After living in Pretoria for a while, I started missing Istanbul and returned to Turkey to work in data analytics. Thanks to some great opportunities in my field, the urge to explore struck again, and this time I moved to a completely different region—Dubai. I’ve been here for the past three years, working as a data scientist. I guess a bit of the nomadic spirit of Antalya’s Yörük culture runs in my genes; my suitcase is always ready. As for the next destination, well, it's hard to say!

What does an enjoyable day in Dubai look like for you?

I'm definitely an early riser. I love waking up around 7-7:30, enjoying my coffee, and reading a book in the quiet of the morning before heading to the gym around 9. For workouts, I go to F45, a global functional training gym. It’s great to work out with familiar faces and stay motivated together. By 10-10:30, I’ve had both a mental and physical boost, and I’m ready to greet the day with plenty of serotonin. A solid breakfast is also a must—after the gym, I usually go for a quick, healthy breakfast at Hapi. Since it’s summer year-round here, I often head to the beach or pool for a few hours. Having this option so close to the city is one of the unique perks of living here. In the afternoon, I enjoy spending time in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai's more hipster area, where I meet friends or enjoy some solo time at my favorite coffee spot, Nightjar. For the evening, nothing beats being by the sea. Hanging out with friends in areas like The Palm, JBR, or Bluewaters is always a highlight. My favorite spot is The London Project for its view and signature gin cocktails.

What’s your ideal vacation like, and what are some of the best places you’ve visited?

It really depends on my mood, but generally, my ideal vacation involves minimal planning and maximum nature. While I sometimes crave the vibe of European cities, I’d say my favorite travel experience so far has been Bali. Its natural beauty and atmosphere are absolutely enchanting. Bali isn’t just a place to visit—it’s an experience, a mental state. If you’re ever able to go, I highly recommend spending a few unscheduled days in Canggu, just letting yourself go with the flow and being open to surprises.

What are your travel essentials? What do you always bring with you?

I always pack a backpack, as well as a book and my camera—I never know what surprises might come my way.

Any recent book, music, or film recommendations?

Recently, I read one of the most straightforward yet impactful books: Tuesdays with Morrie. I’d highly recommend it to everyone; every page is filled with something special. I also recommend the short documentary Earthrise, which tells the story behind the iconic Earthrise photograph. Seeing how small our place is within the vastness of space is truly thought-provoking.

With platforms like Netflix, YouTube, audiobooks, and podcasts playing a big role in our lives, how do they fit into yours? Any favorite channels, podcast series, or shows you'd recommend?

Honestly, they’re almost at the center of our lives now. I’m a regular listener of the Açık Bilim podcast on Spotify, and I never miss Cüneyt Özdemir’s videos on YouTube. I also enjoy the music channel Cercle as background music at home. Recently, my Netflix favorites have been Mindhunter and One Strange Rock.