Settling In

Coming to Istanbul has been unlike any travel I've ever done. This past week, we've been doing the tourist stuff, but at the same time, we know that we are something different from tourists. It's nice, because we have been able to take our time and take in Istanbul's marvels at the pace that they deserve. But it's been frightening as well, knowing how much work we have to do to make ourselves a home here.
We've made some serious headway, though, and today I am feeling really good. Yesterday we moved into a studio apartment in the Harbiye neighborhood. It's within walking distance of our school and Istanbul's only organic market, which happens every Saturday. Check out our haul!

It feels good to have a stocked kitchen, a cozy apartment, and even (gasp!) homework to do. Routine is my refuge right now, the more of it the better (I don't speak for Mike, of course). We start school this week. Orientation is on Monday, and classes start Tuesday. I'm excited!

We still have lots of sightseeing that we want to do. Last week, we took a cruise up the Bosphorous on the public ferry. We drank cup after cup of çay on the boat, and then had fish lunch when we stopped at Anadolou Kavağı, a village at the mouth of the Black Sea. The next day we saw Topkapı Palace. Our photos don't even begin to convey how enormous it is. Courtyard, within courtyard, within courtyard. The tiles in the harem are amazing.

More soon, when we have some news about school, or maybe after we check out the Princes' Islands!
Love,
Eleanor