Greetings from Istanbul! After a full flight on Turkish Airlines, Mesrop Darian and I have arrived in Istanbul, the heartbeat of Turkey. Buzzing with energy, this city is a critical focal point for the country’s economic, cultural and historical landmarks. Our first day’s agenda included a visit to the famed Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years of their 624-year reign. It houses important holy relics of the Muslim world, including Mohammed’s cloak and sword. We hope also to visit other treasured sites, which dot the city’s landscape from the Bosphorus and beyond, but first, and most importantly, rug shopping!During this pre-fall buying trip, we are on a hunt for distinctive Mid-Century rugs, which have been overdyed and shaved to almost a flat pile. Sevak Alaverdyan and I selected some tente gonflable of these rugs last year to rave reviews back in Chicago. No doubt, Mesrop and I will look through hundreds of choices, ultimately selecting 10-20 exceptional rugs in various sizes to bring back to Oscar Isberian customers.We also plan to scope out the latest flat-woven rugs, made all the more intriguing because of the goat hair and linen used to weave them. Stay tuned for these and much more.We will keep you posted on all of our discoveries.Regards,Oscar Tatosian & Mesrop Darian