city in the city

i think if i was younger and just up and moved to istanbul like i just did this past year i'd have a good dose of culture shock flowing thru my head.  i've been living in a city of one million in canada.  and to come to a city of near 15-20 (they say) million...is a bit of a change.  however, i did live in toronto, albeit only a city of five million.  istanbul though is like toronto.  it's a bunch of cities in one city.  if you look to the left, or to the right, or behind the camera, to this picture, you'll see a similar view.  this is an area named sisli.   

and, like i say, if i wasn't comfortable with the absolute infinity of life, i might find it daunting, to see so many thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people all rushing to work every day.  at first glance it might appear there's a zombie-like character to the people here, all going and coming and in such a rush, and not noticing you or smiling much.  but once you get to know Turkish people, for the most part, you see that they are all close and loving people, and good-humored too.  and so, in every window in this shot, there's a whole world onto itself, a world often filled with love and smiles.  

i suppose that's what i find incredibly inspiring about cities....the depth of life is so great in them.