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.