"I won't trouble you with a relation of our tedious journey, but I must not omit what I saw remarkable at ... one of the most beautiful towns in the Turkish empire..."Lady Mary Wortley Montague, 1 April 1717, Adrianople
Being happily settled in Istanbul for the past week, I am now in the possession of many remarkable details in order to start weaving my particular tale of adventures. The rich and exuberant layers of Turkey's history, culture, even people brings to mind the colorful forms of nomadic textiles, enchanting yet ambiguous all at the same time. Ironically this enigma, at times, holds true for Turks and foreigners alike. I embark upon my journey hoping I can be an interpreter of sorts for this country that has fascinated and perplexed people from near and far for so many centuries.
My place of residence for the duration of my stay will be our modest apartment in Sisli, close to the center of town while my daily duties will take me to another part of the city quite far from all the hustle and bustle. The purpose of my extended visit is to study at Koc University for the next four months concentrating on the history of the civilizations and the people that have passed through this unique geography going as far back as prehistoric Anatolia. Having not been a student in this particular country for the better part of thirty years, this promises to be an unforgettable experience.