Istanbul

I would like to preface this blog, or attempt at a blog, with the following statement:

"I can in no way promise that there will be more than one post"

Now that I have set the expectation low that this blog will continue throughout my time in Istanbul, I should perhaps share some of my experiences thus far.
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As of yesterday I have been in Istanbul for two weeks - two weeks packed with touring around the city with 6 other Wash U students and an incredible professor who seems to know every third person in a city of 13 million.

Because I am hoping to condense two weeks into a single post given my delayed start to the study-abroad-blogging-train, I will share some general impressions and then just post some pictures. If you know me then you know that I am an engineer not a writer so keep an open mind.

Here it goes,

1. People drink A LOT of tea (çay). In two weeks I think I have made the official switch from coffee to tea. Then again, maybe that is because turkish coffee consists of an expresso shot with the grounds left in the cup.

2. I love a city near the water and will never again be satified in a city where you can't travel from Asia and Europe in a $1.00 15 minute ferry ride.

3. There are cats and dogs everywhere, but they are well trained. I swear I saw a dog look both ways before he crossed the street, which is probably good given that the traffic and driving are crazy. Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way.

4. Turkish is really hard...And the letters sound different...And they don't understand when I try to say simple words...

5. Turkey has some delicious food! Kabob, Doner, Borek!

6. Backgammon (known here as tavla) is popular. Therefore, finding a coffee shop and playing a hour of tavela has become a typical afternoon pastime.

Enjoy the pictures - Hopefully I will elaborate more on my experiences in upcoming posts!