In Istanbul (Constantinople)

I'm in Istanbul now! I traveled by bus from Izmir. My grandparents told me that Turkish busses are wonderful. The one I rode here was definitely luxurious, with an attendant serving tea and coffee every couple hours, as well as cakes and cookies. The Turks sure love their tea! The attendant spoke English, so he asked me about my trip and where I'm from. I'm so glad I put pictures of my family and a map of my trip plans in my journal, because it really helps with conversation.

Tea service on the bus to Istanbul

I have had a wonderful time in Izmir. Yılmaz and Seval really feel like my Turkish parents. We've had a great time making food together (I taught Seval how to make apple pie and Dutch cookies and she and her friends taught me about mantı, a kind of Turkish raviolli) chatting about various topics, listening to classical music, and eating lots of ice cream (Yılmaz was always treating me to ice cream and chocolate).

I love so many things about Turkey. The countryside is beautiful, the people are warm and friendly (Yılmaz and Seval always chat with the shop owners when they go to buy something), the food is delicious, and the weather has been wonderful (except the past three days when it rained). I have had so many experiences, which I have written about in detail in my journal. Here are some highlights:

• Teaching children at Bizimir (Seval's community center) the Hokey Pokey, and learning a song about a little bird (Mini Mini Bir Kuş) from them
• Visiting various different vacation homes at seaside towns.
• Shopping at bazaars and hearing vendors yelling out their wares
• Eating whole fish with the head on -- it was so good and so fresh, I've never liked fish as well as this one.
• Trying a bite of sheep intestine soup...it actually didn't taste that bad
• Hearing a classical guitarist play at Bizimev. He was excellent
• Meeting friends of my grandparents all over the place
• Seeing the ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon (the city where we get the word 'parchment' from)

Anyway, I should get going...I have an early day planned tomorrow! I hope everything's going well at home. Hoşçakal! (Goodbye!)