I hear you. After 14 years in the 'bul, I've been back in Seattle for a year now, thigh the bells seem to be ringing for that city too as it turns into Amazonistan. Living in Istanbul has always been a little like watching a kid throw rocks at a hornet's nest...you know something is gong to happen but not quite when or how. Eventually you figure it's time to observe from a bit farther away.

Ramadan is definitely harder for Muslims in the summer and easier in the winter. But from the standpoint of a non-Muslim in Istanbul, I prefer summer, because you don't get the 4:00 traffic jams from millions of people trying to get from work to their homes in time for iftar.