I have to pull away from Portland real estate every so after and do something else. Today, can I direct everyone to my daughter's blog? She's an ex-pat in Istanbul, and 've written of her in the past. Fair warning: she can be R-rated at times (language).
Istanbul's Stranger will give you insight into things Middle Eastern. Istanbul is fairly European, but the rest of the country is not. Her terms: MIL means mother-in -law (hers), BE means Engin, her husband, and LE means Ender, her three-year-old son (and our only grandson).
If you want to read about Portland real estate, buying a home or selling a home, this post isn't the place to go. :)