Istanbul: known for loads of complex and rich history, the Grand Bazaar, where East meets West, Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), and where Liam Neeson's family gets Taken (2).

This is our home now. We live in a busy suburbanish neighborhood called Ataşehir on the Anatolian side of the city. I am working for an English language publisher and taking Turkish language classes, and Joe is a primary/middle school English teacher at a nearby private school. More on all that to come.

As lifetime residents of the Midwest, there have been several adjustments to deal with, mainly living in a global city and not being able to speak the native language. This blog is the place where we will share our adventures in this enormous city... our joys, our discoveries, and our opinions. There will also be occasional pieces on teaching ESL for the first time in a foreign land—the challenges, the learning moments, and the successes with young learners.

Join us as we explore the traditional, unique, and alternative things Istanbul has to offer. Be prepared for the occasional rant here and there as well. We also plan to share photos and details of our trips around Europe.

Hoş geldiniz! (Welcome!)