Our last night in Istanbul...

And we hope it isn't our last EVER in Istanbul! One note I hadn't mentioned: Janset told us yesterday that women from all over Europe plan "Cosmetic Surgery Trips" to Istanbul. Why? Because apparently plastic surgery is really cheap here compared to other places. It must be the Brazil of the Middle East or something! Botox, facelifts, eyebrow lifts, liposuction -- you name it. So it may be a good reason to come back, huh!?! Maybe İ can plan a makeover trip for all us St. Louisans to Turkey!

In any case, we went to Mikla for dinner tonight. The chef-owner is part Turkish and part Finnish -- what a combination. His restaurant ıs at the top of a hıgh rıse hotel with a panoramic view of the city, especially the Asian sıde

But it was the best meal we've had here. Gave us time to remnisce about all that we have seen and learned. Lots to ponder. And tomorrow we are off to Cappadocia for a couple days. We ran into a huge traffic jam trying to get back to the hotel. We asked the doorman what was happening! He told us this was one of the holiest days of Ramadan -- and there is a big soccer tourney. Tonight is the night Mohammed started receivıng messages from God, so it is a time of celebration long into the night! How İ could love another part of Turkey any more than Istanbul is hard to imagıne -- but tomorrow we will see!