(Istanbul, Turkey)

The historic section of Istanbul is a labyrinth of winding alleyways and sloping streets. It is a hive of commercial activity and I spent one morning tumbling up and down these little hills watching the markets slowly come to live. People were sitting on the sidewalks sipping their tea (chai). Some people were on bamboo scaffoldings touching up a building and not too far away, I dodged someone hunched over with a pile of suits on his back, making his way to deliver them. I was lost and I loved it.

(Istanbul, Turkey)

I eventually forced myself to stop my meandering and started making my way to the Agia Sophia. Inside, huge wooden shields adorn the four walls of this ancient temple. They carried Arabic calligraphic and reminded visitors that they stand now in a house of Islam. After visiting Agia Sophia, I walked around looking for a cheap restaurant and came across Istanbul University. Outside, I tried taking a picture of a man with the bushiest beard. He was not pleased and signaled for me to stop. I walked over and he pinched my beardless chin.

(Istanbul, Turkey)

I eventually remembered that I had to make my way south towards the Syrian border, and promptly crossed into the Asian continent. On the way home to pick up my bag, the streets echoed with the cry to prayer. It was a haunting sound. Its sing-song melody was a beautiful accompaniment to the red and violet sky and quiet empty streets.

(Istanbul, Turkey)