Istanbul: Where Two Continents Meet

Istanbul is the only city in the world located on two continents – Europe and Asia. Throughout history, it has been known by different names: Byzantium, Constantinople, and Stamboul.

And now I'm here, in the midst of approximately 14 million official residents, plus around 3 million more who commute here daily for work. Amazing!

First Impressions

At the Budapest airport, I confessed to Su Ji: "I'm quite nervous about our flight to Turkey. I have no idea what to expect there." This was my first visit to a country in the Middle East. Later, reflecting on these feelings, I realized it was nothing more than the fear of the unknown.

Almost 30 million tourists visit Turkey every year, and after spending just a couple of hours in Istanbul, I finally understood why.

The Soul of Istanbul

What makes Istanbul special?

The city is amazingly charming! It took me very little time to soak in the special atmosphere that surrounds you:

• The aromatic blend of spices, kebab, and sea air
• The melodic calls of street vendors
• Birds circling around the fish stalls
• The iconic silhouettes of mosques against the sunset sky

Notable Places

• Suleymaniye Mosque: A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture
• Blue Mosque: An iconic symbol of Istanbul
• İstiklal Avenue: The beating heart of modern Istanbul

The People

The locals are friendly and eager to help. We quickly made our first Turkish friend at a shop selling fresh fruit juices.

Life Lessons

What did I learn? It's easy to hold prejudices about countries you've never visited, or about religions and cultures you only know through media. The more I travel, the more I realize – people are the same everywhere. They all desire the same fundamental things:

• Love
• The ability to care for their families
• A good job
• A bit of happiness in their lives