At the lounge in Istanbul, I met a shy little girl named Lula. I politely asked her master if I could visit with her and he gladly obliged. While I was petting her, I pulled back some of her white hair hanging over her face so she could see me, but then realized she only had one eye. One very large eye. Her master said she lost the other one in a fight with a cat. She was very quiet and obedient, and waited patiently and a little apprehensively while her master stepped out for a quick smoke. Below is a picture of the little beauty.

On the way to work in the mornings, we like to stop at a Starbucks on the Bosphorus and have coffee. This particular Starbucks has four levels to sit out and view the water and passing boats. Very comfortable.

We stopped on the way to Istanbul and had lunch.  Even before ordering our food, this is what was brought out for us.  The little bucket is yogurt.  Eating that is what makes you immune from the bacteria you will pick up in the country.

Here are a few pics taken at night from the hotel in Istanbul …

… followed with the sunrise.

I will sincerely miss this incredible country as well as those who live here.  But as with every country we go to, they will reveal their beauty and its people will share their love.  … and we will welcome it all like a refreshing drink of water on the desert.

Keep kicking butt.  D.