So I’ve made it to Istanbul. A rough and treacherous journey indeed, with a 10 hour flight and a crying baby that didn’t want to shut up. I guess I shouldn’t complain, if I ever have obligations of that sort one day, there really isn’t anything I can do, you just have to deal with your crying baby, you know what I mean. But yea, we landed, I met the professors and all the students that will be on this trip with me. Everyone seems cool, thankfully. I was kind of nervous that the courses would be difficult, but both professors made it seem as though you do what they ask and you’ll do well in the class. After all, they’re hear in Europe to have a good time as well.
My first order of Business was settling into the Hotel, which is Beautiful. Actually, the featured photo was taken from a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Asian side of Istanbul, at least I think it’s the Asian side. Follow up, THIS CITY IS HUGE. We walked around for a little bit and since Istanbul is full of hilly streets you can see most parts of the city at high elevation. Kid you not, no chance a two week trip will get the job done. But from what I’ve seen, the city is indeed beautiful.
An observation I’ve made: the books I was told to read about Muslim migration patterns from Istanbul to Berlin have stigmatized me to assuming characteristics of the Muslim population. Every time I see one that sticks out of the blue, I assume that honor is very important for them, they have a conservative background, make the majority of the family decisions, etc. Within one day, I have deduced that there is no way that this is true across the majority of Muslims. In such a modern city, full of life and a dynamic environment, these characteristics just aren’t compatible.
We went to a random restaurant for Dinner, no clue what I ate but it was delicious. Wish I took a photo of it, the guy realized I was a tourist and just, straight up, put food on my plate for me. I was clueless, it was hysterical.
Today’s song is shik shak shok by Nancy Ajram (away from home, have to stay close to my roots).
Mildly Muddling 