Random Thoughts and Pictures

Istanbul is quite simply one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I live in one of the most picturesque parts of this vast city of 14+ million people, and I still find myself gazing around me in disbelief at my good fortune in being given the opportunity to come here. As anyone who knows me well can imagine, it took about five minutes for me to find new friends here. So far I've been limited to my colleagues and their spouses, but as it turns out, there are some pretty amazing people in that lot. Those who were already here welcomed me like family instantly, and the other new people and I have all had ample time to bond through the opening festivities and survival bonding sessions we've held since.

Have I mentioned that Istanbul is filled with cats? Somehow it just adds to my sense of well-being to be surrounded by felines. They are the source of some controversy around campus, but at the end of the day it's always nice to be greeted by random purring creatures on your walk home.