[Quix]

I suppose it's different Friday evening. Is it different any other time?

Istanbul felt like--ACTUALLY FELT in my inner person like 3 continents, cultures, ideologies grinding together not too comfortably. You ever had such feelings there?

[Rushmore Rocks]

Istanbul is a fascinating city. The worst traffic I have ever seen. Worse than Shanghai (or Houston!) Istanbul sits astride two continents, Europe and Asia. I saw influences from both cultures. Don't know about the "third culture" you mentioned.....unless you meant the "Black Muslims". They are a heavy presence and our Turkish host advised us to avoid them. Istanbul has so many layers. It is hard for a westerner to comprehend. One thing I found fascinating was that many of the mosques were originally Christian churches. I didn't know that until I went there.
On some of the gates to the mosques, you can see carvings of the Holy Mother and Christ. I could start a whole thread on Turkish cuisine......what a treat!

Our two trips to Turkey have been business related, our contacts have been gracious and welcoming....we could not have been treated more kindly.