Life. You can find it everywhere you go in Istanbul. In America, we are often shut off from the world – hiding in our cars, our houses with large yards, our malls. In Istanbul, life takes place in shared public places.

Here’s life with religion:

Life at the marketplaces:

Life for the young and cool is perhaps best found on the Iskatel, a long pedestrian-only boulevard in the Beyoglu district.  You can find many shops, restaurants, and bars all over.  One of its ends is Taksim Square, a very busy area – perhaps like a Times Square or Picadilly Circus.  We spent all our evenings down here, with Janine and even her nice friends.