As F1 about to hit Istanbul, here is ISTANBUL FACTS AND STATS for F1 Racing Fans……. A gloomy news appeared a week ago about a possible earthquake in Istanbul: “According to a report drafted by the Istanbul Municipality and Japanese International Aid Agency if an earthquake measuring 7,5 on the Richter scale hits Istanbul the casualties will amount to 90,000 people……... I find the number a little bit speculative but we all know very well that neither the state nor the most Istanbulites do care about earthquake preparations. A friend of mine who is looking for an appartment to buy tells me that in terms of real estate issues no body looks at a district earthquake-wise. So once cheapened places due to earthquake danger are expensive again…. And finally Conrad Hotel’s Istanbul manager says Americans love Turkey — once they come:)
edit: forgot to add CNN piece on Istanbul’s night life…