Istanbul, Not Constantinople

"That's nobody's business but the Turks."

On May 20th, 2008 I will depart on one of my most adventurous summer trips abroad. I will spend 2 months in Istanbul, Turkiye. I'd like to tell you that I'm setting forth to officially discover the answer to the old-age question made famous by They Might Be Giants, "Why did Constantinople Get the Works?" But as a Turk, I already know the answer to that (muah-hah-hah...)

It's been 8 years since my last visit to Turkiye, so I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with my extended family and experiencing the city's rich culture and history. Although I was originally born in Turkiye (and have been there several times throughout my life), I've spent much of my adulthood in the United States. Needless to say, it's definitely time to go back.

I have no expectations of this trip other than to take each moment as it comes. I hope you are up for the ride...