May 2012: I photographed these snails on a rainy night in Istanbul.
It was my first time I was on my own in the city centre after several days at Le Méridien Istanbul where I had been working non-stop to make sure that everything went well for the hotel’s grand opening.
I’m glad that I extended my stay in Istanbul over the weekend after the project wrapped and had the chance to discover a little of the city at leisure. I had heard mixed feedback from friends about Istanbul and was curious to see for myself if I’d like the city.
My verdict: Love it!
Sure, the traffic can be a nightmare but I walked around most of the time when I was there. I like that it’s a melting pot of different cultures and religions, of things old and new. Istanbul can cause a sensory overload – weaving car traffic, crowded cobblestone streets, heady scent of spices and coffee, seagulls calling by the Bosphorus, freshly grilled kebabs served with herb-infused sides…
It can overwhelm you but if you choose to go with the flow, you’ll fall in love with Istanbul.
Angelina Hue 
I’m definitely on the “overwhelmed” side of responses to Istanbul, though there was much I appreciated about the city. I think it was a timing problem; it was too much, a monthlong stay after nearly six months of travel. Someday I’ll go back and see it differently.
I guess it can also be a little challenging when you’re there for a month and you don’t speak the local language (not that I speak Turkish). I’m hoping that an upcoming work project will see me headed to Istanbul in the coming months!
Great photography!
Thank you!