more of francais sokok

This is more of the bohemian quarter - called "Francais Sokok" still some artists around here but its gotten so gentrified that there arent as many anymore....this is right near the book exchange - there arent really English libraries here in Istanbul so some expatriates set up a book exchange.  Its a lot of fun...all expatriates or english speaking turkish coming through and talking to each other.

This is more of the Bohemian quarter...really cool place...apparently used to be a very derelict area and now is becoming pretty posh

This is the bohemian quarter near Taksim and Tunel...

close up of the armory

This is an old armory in Cihangir that has been converted to an art gallery.  this is also where Obama addressed students a few weeks ago

i was on my way to a gallery in Cihangir (chee han gear) and i caught a glimpse of the Bosphorous down the street....it happens like that....pretty amazing

we grabbed lunch on this street in Besitask

sooooooooo good!

i've had the best cherries and peaches and produce that i've ever had so far....Besitask has particularly delicious and inexpensive produce - the peaches are about $3/kilo!

...another bakery window in Besitask -- all different types of ekmek (ehk mehk) ( bread).

more scenes of Besitask

this is a bakery window...two types of baklava (left and center) and another pastry which is really amazing but i can't remember what its called 

this is Besitask (Beshi tashk) a neighborhood bordering ours that is a little less swanky...real people live there.

half eaten simit...this was so unbelievably good. All the bakeries smell sooooo goood!!!!!!  i knew i liked the way the turks cook when i found out there's a whole sector of food based off the grilled cheese - little restaurants devoted completely to grilled cheese foods! 

mimi enjoying our simit

this is istikul - don't know if im spelling that right (pronounced ish ta kwal) its a pedestrian street and a huge tourist attraction...its where my meeting is....the side streets off istikul have a lot of restaurants, hookah bars and regular bars.  there's also a lot stores - expensive american/foreign brands... mavi is the word for blue in turkish - mavi is a turkish brand and apparently a little less expensive here.  

this is a shot at Taksim square - kind of the epicenter of this side of town.  this is near my meeting

this is a shot of 'simit' a circular sesame bread - commonly a breakfast food.  they have bread shops everywhere - this particular shop caters to morning commuters and doesnt really carry loaves of bread...just the single serving bread dishes

neighborhood shot - nisantasi

 this is our block.  our whole neighborhood is pretty swanky... not very "authentic" istanbul

      the views from the living room

  

living room

This is my bedroom...nice and cozy and comfortable - my bathroom and shower is off to the left 

This is the hallway....

istanbul

so i'm still trying to get settled in but this will be a good way to show everyone what i'm up to and publish photos