Apologies for the technical boof in the last post. Should be working now.
Onto today's post:
It's wonderful to be here in Istanbul and get a first-hand taste of what life is like for the E-Rs. This city and culture is complicated to be sure: life is both rich and strenuous. Keep reading for our little band's list of likes and dislikes.
Anna (age 12): Charm: it's pomegranate (nar) season. It's one of my favorite fruits and the nar here is wonderful and sweet. Also, all the stray animals. Even though they might have fungus (according to Aunty Negar), the numerous stray cats and dogs are friendly and look much healthier than strays in America. We saw 45 cats in one day. Alarm: the butter and the milk taste like cheese.
Kate (age 16): Charm: fresh, chewy, sesame seed-studded simit (looks like a bagel). It is served everywhere, all the time. Alarm: My mother's snoring in our shared room. (mother's note: this is not an Istanbul-specific phenomenon).
Wes (age 47): Charm: how close friends walk arm-in-arm. Alarm: how often buses come harrowingly close to one's car at high speeds. (this doesn't phase our drive, Uncle Matt).
Bora (age 44 for a few more weeks): Charm: most bakeries are open 24/7, tradition of having tea brewing all day, how much Turks value helping you, even if you are a stranger. Alarm: Istanbul traffic, the male dominance.
Negar (age 39): Charm: Having Anna in the house. Alarm: Any time Anna leaves the house. (this bit was written by Anna)
Negar (for reals): Charm: people willing to be leisurely, especially when drinking coffee or tea, no one rushes you. Alarm: the chaos of daily life.
Matt (age 38): Charm: the chaos of Istanbul. Alarm: the chaos of Istanbul.
Cireus (age 9): Charm: my friends at school, having lots of neat places to visit. Alarm: how people bump into other people. A lot.
Omeed (age 6): Charm: they have nice ancient ruins. Alarm: that a lot of people smoke cigarettes.
Shahdi (age almost 4): Charm: playing in the park. Alarm: not playing in the park. (Shahdi also recommended lammacun (lah-mah-joon), a flatbread covered with spices, ground meat, tomatoes. mmm).
Our favorite charm of Istanbul? The wonderful E-Rs, of course.
Bora's Notebook 
Thanks for the Istanbul posts and photos-I’m enjoying all of them. I especially love this photo of the E-R’s! Give them our love. And Happy New Year to your family and theirs.
Thanks for the posts and photos! Hello Everyone-wish we were there with you. You ALL are charming to us!
Love,
JJ & the Hansen Gang
Just wanted to say, I love this kind of post!