Istanbul, Not Constantinople

I've made it to Istanbul! I spent most of yesterday recovering from my flight and meetıng riders. Most of the staff have made it here and we are scheduled to have a meeting tonight.

Our hotel is located on the Asian side of Istanbul while the Old Town is on the European side. The Bosporous Straight splits the two. Like Hong Kong's Star Ferry system, Istanbul has ferries that run across the Bosporous. The water of the Bosporous is unmistakable. It is a dark velvet blue wıth equalally sized rıpples streching from bank to bank.

Walking around the deck of the ferry, one can see ancıent mosques and the hill sides that are littered with houses. Wandering the streets, it is easy to forget where you are. The markets remind me of China wıth the merchants being just as persistant; however, the food...oh the food.

The dining is an especially nice change from China, we had both lunch and dinner in small alley ways. Turkish tea and beer begins each meal, followed by mouthwatering appetizers like peppers suffed with hummus or spicy Turkish salsa. Just when you think that your tastebuds cannot take anymore, the main course of various kebobs appear. The unique mix of herbs and spices coating suculent chicken or lamb leaves you craving for more though you are much too full to eat another bite. The Silk road has played an obvious roll in Istanbul culinary tradition.

Wıth a population around 1o million people, I do not know where this cıty keeps them all. The streets are only crowded in the main shopping and eating areas. There are plenty of back alleys in the Old Town that boast delightful Byzantıne, Roman, Ottoman and various European architecture. Amongst the people, architecture, and food, it is impossible for Istanbul to hide its history of being the oldest melting pot in the world.

This afternoon work begins. We are preparing the vehicles for the trip and I am going to assemble my bıke for an afternoon ride around town. Please forgıve any 'i's that do not have dots on them. I am typing on a Turkish keyboard they have the real 'i' ın an odd place...I think I have caught them all. The same goes for my spelling. The Turkish spell checker doesn't help so much. I hope all is well and I will be in touch.

-CB