Headscratchers / Three Thousand Years of Longing

• Why is it the Djinn understands everyone's language immediately except Alithea's?
  • That's not necessarily the case. His introductions to Gülten and Zefir are glossed over in his narration as he skips ahead to their first wishes, including any language barrier issues they overcame and what he must have told them about his personal history and the rules of his wish-granting abilities.
• Why aren't wireless signals a problem for the Djinn in Istanbul?
  • They may not be as thick as in London, maybe. Alternatively, he spent maybe a few days in Istanbul, but at least several in London.