Welcome to Istanbul

Istanbul pulses with life as a city that seems to never sleep. The hearts of fourteen million people beat as one as they weave among each other day in and day out. Streams of faces float past a countless number of restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars. The streets morph into a living organism that moves effortlessly despite the traffic. Walking becomes an inherent dance as you glide through throngs so thick it seems that collision is imminent, yet somehow you make it through untouched. I've never been to a place so alive.

Silence does not exist here. Between cats howling, cars honking, and characters harassing there is no peace. Snippets of music from nightclubs clash with the mournful sound of the call to prayer. The language itself is ferociously barked across streets belying the harmless personality of those who call Istanbul home. Somehow the cacophony becomes soothing as the constant drone vibrates through your body drawing you into the life of the city. 

The sights are so stimulating they make me dizzy. I tear my eyes from a shop full of vibrantly dazzling lanterns only to stare into barrels of exotic spices. Turkish towels, pillow cases, and slippers beg to be taken home as the smallest reminder of this great metropolis. More eye catching than anything are the ancient buildings that dot the cityscape. Mosques loom with their awe inspiring presence that draws the eye and the mind to the days of Constantinople and Byzantium. Random archways and towers from the past somehow blend in with neon store fronts with perfect synchronicity. It's enough to make your head spin. 

It's futile to talk about Istanbul without mentioning the food. I fervently drift towards spindles of sizzling meat as they rotate lazily wafting mouth watering aromas onto the street. Mounds of exquisite Turkish delight sit proudly in their window sills only to be forgotten as soon as the quintessential baklava comes into sight. Fresh squeezed pomegranate juice costs next to nothing and mixed with the fresh orange juice it is an explosion of heavenly flavor. I could easily spend all day eating here and still not experience it all.  

The sights, sounds, and smells of Istanbul are overwhelmingly wonderful. With less than a week under my belt I cannot wait to see what else this urban paradise has to offer. 

This thriving city has already stolen my heart and my soul.