Elvan is such a wonderful and warm person. I'm so glad I chose to stay in her apartment. The apartment is really nice and cosy despite the cold weather in Istanbul in March. She is the ideal host - showed me how to use the public transport to see the attractions and even lend me her Istanbulkart. She and her boyfriend Murad made me feel at home so I didn't feel homesick at all. The neighbourhood is safe and her apartment is just 10-minute walk from the Istanbul Congress Centre where I attended a conference. There's a bakery, supermarket, bank and restaurants nearby so it's a convenient location. To get to Taksim Square, it's just about 15-20 minute walk. From Taksim Square, I took the funicular to Kabatas and then switched to the tramway to get to Sultanahmet Square where most of the attractions are located. It was so convenient for me - a lady traveling solo.