Istanbooya!

View from kitchen window (photos courtesy of Adam).

Istiklal Caddesi

We are here, kinda settled after two days of sight seeing. I'd be lying if I said that nothing has gone wrong. First the airport misplaced one of our bags (which we luckily recovered). We got to the apartment to find that we would have to spend the next couple of nights in another apartment, away from our friends, because our room was not finished. However, that being said the reason that they were making sure our balcony was usable. Then whilst walking, Jess sprained her ankle pretty badly.

Night view from kitchen window.

However, besides all that has not gone according to the plan, this trip has been pretty amazing! We arrived safely and actually have an  great apartment to go home to. Istanbul is absolutely beautiful! The food is fresh and amazing, we only have to take a few steps outside our building to get to our local grocer. The buildings crowding the city converge on each other, with modern facades sandwiched between the ornate and dilapidated. The streets are cobbled and winding. Cars and pedestrians go where they please. We pasted a chandelier district on the way to our flat, where two blocks are entirely devoted to storefronts specializing in elaborate indoor lighting.

Once Jess' swollen ankle recovers we will be back out, looking for jobs and enjoying the sights along the way.