Intercontinental commuting

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the Center for Islamic Studies (ISAM) library, which is a great place to work and get to know other scholars working on Turkey, but I’ve also been spending a lot of time just getting there and back.  I’m currently staying with my in-laws on the European side of Istanbul and the Center is located on the Asian side.  This means I get to enjoy a great cruise across the Bosphorus twice a day, but I also have two buses to take, so the trip lasts about 1.5 hours each way.  Tonight it took me two hours to get home.

This commute has the potential to be really exhausting, but armed with some audiobooks on my iPod — for the time spent on bumpy buses — and a book for the smooth ferry ride, I’m actually enjoying it.  I think crossing the water is what makes it tolerable.

That said…three hours of commuting seems a bit excessive, and I’m warming to the idea of living on the Asian side again (it’s been seven years).  So, if you know anyone with a place to rent on the Asian side, I’d be interested in learning more.