+ Every once in a while I visit the Istanbul Metroblogging site to check up on an old friend, to see where his thoughts lay. Aynadakileke Mel, for short) is a very interesting and complicated fellow. You never know for sure just how much irony has seeped into his thought of the moment. I haven’t figured the proportion of irony in this August link to a NEWSWEEK article that raves about Istanbul

Turkish Delight
After so many decades of trying to become Western, Istanbul glories in the rediscovery of a very modern identity. European or not, it is one of the coolest cities in the world.

For me having lived in Istanbul for just over a year, it’s quite exciting to see it get international recognition for someof the hippest and vibrant culture I’ve ever experienced.