First Thoughts

Before even landing in Istanbul, looking outside from the airplane, 

my roommate and I could tell that we were going to love this place.

This place already looked completely different, and we did not miss the thousands of Turkish flags seen from the plane alone (and the many more we were going to see walking around). 

I was not sure what to think...

How will people treat me ?

How will it be not being able to understand any part of the language ?

How will I personally like the culture ?

It was the furthest east I've ever been, and the first time in a culture where it was even an option to wear head scarves. Walking around with my roommate, Katelynn, essentially staring at the people who rushed or bumped into us as we walked down Istiklal street, we saw a mixture of eastern and western culture.

I know how I am supposed to act in most any situation in western culture, but solely walking down this street, I felt the eyes of the locals staring at me as we passed. 

I was not sure at all how I was supposed to react to these men yelling at you to come into their store to buy things. This was not a bad experience at all, but it was interesting how I found myself wondering how I was supposed to act in a normal situation. 

Being the first time in a culture this different from one that I was used to, I needed to notice the sights around me and listen to the new sounds of Istanbul.

~ Alexa