Istanbul!

I love the school I work at, and I really enjoy Tashkent and Uzbekistan. The only drawback is that there are not A LOT of choices when it comes to airlines in and out of the country. One of the most common flight routes is through Istanbul with Turkish Air. On my way home to Canada for the summer, I decided to fly with Turkish Air, and take the opportunity for a one-week stopover in Istanbul. I had never been to Istanbul. Many of my colleagues and friends have been to Istanbul, and it has, rightfully, received rave reviews from all.

Cats of Istanbul

I wouldn't be much of a cat lady if I didn't lead with the cats of Istanbul. They are everywhere. Unlike strays I have seen in other cities, most of the cats of Istanbul look healthy and well-fed. The human citizens of Istanbul put food and water out for the cats. The cats calmly approach humans for cuddles and adoration, and lounge in doorways and windowsills. 

There are also many stray dogs in Istanbul. Many of the dogs I saw had large tags in their ears, as a result of a catch, neuter, and release program. I saw a few cats with notches in their ears, so I have a feeling there might be a similar program in place for the females.