Twinkle

Is this the sweetest face you have ever seen or what? OK, so maybe your not seeing the whole face, but the most important feature. This happy fellow is my friend Orkun. He is like a little ray of sunshine, just waiting to brighten your day. He is always smiling & his big brown eyes just sparkle away. This photo also displays his prominent brow beautifully. He is always making jokes about it being his second mustache. Just talking to him makes me smile. I wish I could put him in my pocket :)

Golden

Well, this is your first real introduction to the fabulous people I am meeting here in Turkey. The beautiful pair of peepers that you see here, belong to my new friend Mohammad. We met through his employer, who also happens to be my roommate. One of the first things I noticed when we met was the unusual color of his eyes. To say they are a light brown would not do them justice, so I guess I would call them more of a warm gold. To top it off, his gilded eyeballs are framed perfectly with these really great, long, dark, fluttery lashes (most woman would die for those babies). Not only does he have great eyes, but an amazing singing voice. I was shocked the first time he belted out a soulful rendition of Ray Charles'"Hit the Road Jack" & when he sings traditional Turkish music it is even more impressive. Ahhhh, I love my new Turkish friends.

1st Impressions of Turkey- It is all in the Eyes

My first impressions of Turkey have been very interesting. It seems a place of many contradictions- modern tram ways & trash collectors who trot around in buggies pulled by mules, Americanized youths sporting the latest fashions & traditional women with covered heads, rap music intermingling with the call to prayer. It is fascinating how all of these things can co-exist. Amidst the details of my life here, one thing seems to rise above all the rest... the people here are amazing. The kindness & warmth of the Turks is wonderful (something we should all aspire to). They are passionate & emotional & their openness allows the whole world to see it on their faces. I am always struck by the intensity of their eyes in particular. I feel like I could get lost in them sometimes. Whether it is a pensive gaze, a concentrated stare, or a jovial glace, there is so much feeling. If the eyes truly are the window to the soul, the Turks seem to invite you to peer into the depths of their being. It is magical.