We`ve been seeing lots of exciting and interesting things here in Turkey. Meeting new friends, experiencing new activities, and all around having a great time - when we`re not freezing, that is.

Upon arrival in Turkey, we started off with five consecutive nights at Servas hosts`s apartments in the newer part of Istanbul around the Şişli neighborhood. Thanks to the friendship and generosity of Tuğrul, Betul, and Tuğba, we got a unique introduction to Turkish hospitality. We were able to watch Tuğrul and Betul play volleyball at one of their weekly matches at the fıtness club, we went to a nargile (water pipe) bar and smoked apricot flavoured tobacco and played Tavla (backgammon); we stayed up late chatting with friends over take out and home made rice pudding; and we wandered around workaday Istanbul neighborhoods, and rode the Metro with local commuters - definitely stuff off the tourist track.

One of the most shocking events was our first taxi ride in Istanbul: at the end of the ride, we paid our fare and tried to give a tip, but the driver gave us back the extra money! After so many times being overcharged, or driven out of the way to go to a "better" hotel or "cousin`s" shop, it was very refreshing.

We spent some time going around the old city seeing the sights: we went to the Topkapi Palace (on Easter weekend, it was pretty crowded, and we ended up waiting in lines several hours just to get inside the high-light spot there, the Harem; it felt like Disney), we saw the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sofia, and wandered around the Grand Bazaar.