I am in Istanbul right now and have been wandering all over the place. Keep in mind that I am rather paranoid while traveling and, yet, I am not worried (except when I have to take a cab), no problems and general feeling of safety. Even bought some carpets yesteday after several days of dickering.

The cabbies are crooks though. Be sure to carry exact change to cut off one of the (no change) scams.

Have to go try a turkish bath today. Any suggestions?

PS They do drive like madmen. This morning around 6 I was awakened by a screech of brakes and a loud crash. A look out the window showed a cab has run into a) police car (or vice versa). Within one minute there were four other police cars there.