Erkument is a great host, he was always available, quickly answered and resolved all questions. The place provides a great opportunity to experience real Istanbul life like a local. The mahalle (neighborhood) is incredibly friendly. We made friends with the salesman at the local greengrocer's and he would give our daughter a tangerine or a banana every time we passed by. And the salesman at the nearby supermarket had learned a few words of Russian by the end of our trip.