Istanbul not Constantinople

You simply don't get too many opportunities in your lifetime to be in two continents at the same time.  It's a shame, but luckily I got the chance to do just that this last weekend.  Our trip started on a Friday, and the wonderful time of 1:30 a.m.  I stayed up planning to get sleep on the bus, but then ended up not sleeping on the bus either.  I really should have known myself better than that.  We started the trip off singing random songs "Sweet Dreams are Made of This" "Bohemian Rhapsody" and all those other goodies.  I should clarify that "we" was about six or seven of us in the back of the bus that were probably ticking off every other person who wasn't singing at the time.  But that's what car trips are all about right?  Singing and annoying people?  Maybe I've been raised wrong.  After about a half hour of that we settled down and divvied up into our sections of the bus.  We finally arrived to Istanbul at about 11:00 in the morning and started sight-seeing immediately.  You really couldn't have asked us to look more touristy than we did at that moment.  We were all in slouchy bus clothes because we thought we were going to stop at the hotel before seeing everything, and we were a huge pack of foreigners, most of us carrying backpacks.  The only thing that could have made it worse would be a fanny pack.

I'm really not going to try and describe the sights we saw, they were just too incredible for words.  Over the course of the weekend I also had the delight of meeting up with a friend I made from the Central States rotary conference who is on exchange currently in Istanbul. We went for waffles and had a chance to talk about how each of our exchanges is going. Hopefully we'll be able to meet again when the kids from Istanbul come to Izmir to visit Ephesus and the Virgin Mary.

We had a great time in Istanbul, and I really hope I get another chance to go there throughout the course of my year.

Our first view of Istanbul

The Hagia Sophia

The Harem at Topkapi Palace, in which the Sultan's wives, concubines, and Eunichs were kept

The Harem was built of at least 400 rooms and the wall work was simply stunning

The Biscilica Cistern, and yes, that's water not a shiny floor

Medusa being cursed for having been more beautiful than the gods

The Blue Mosque

The Grand Bazaar! filled with over 4,000 shops and many people who call any group of foreigners walking by "Spice girls"

Beautiful Istanbul

It's been pretty low-key since I arrived back in Izmir, but I feel as if I'm starting to become more of a person of Izmir than just a visitor.  On Thursday I hung out with my Turkish friends for the first time outside of school.  It was my friend Ceren's birthday, so we went to a nice restaurant and then watched "The Ender's Game" (which wasn't all that great, but still fun to make fun of with friends!)  On Saturday I was invited to two more birthday parties after my language courses, sadly, I could only make one.

I've been asked by some if I'm learning the language at a slower rate because of the multitude of people who speak perfect English at my school.  To answer that, I've been learning Turkish just as well as all the other exchange students, but it is true that if I went to a different school I might be better at the language at this point.  However, I've come to realize that I'm willing to make the sacrifice of learning the language at a bit slower rate if that means I can make better friends in the long run because we can actually understand one another.  I am still working very hard and diligently to learn the language though.

Yesterday and today I had dinner with some of the other exchange students.  I love getting together with other exchange students because 1) they understand more than anyone what you're going through during this whole process and 2) they're way more open to intellectual and meaningful conversations than most people I know.  

At the moment I'm feeling incredibly content.  I'm finally finding a balance between my Turkish and exchange friends, and the amount of time I should spend at home compared to going out.  I'm learning the language more and more every day, and I'm really starting to believe I'll get to a fairly conversational point within the next few months.  I'm also hoping I'll be getting a musical gift in the mail sometime soon, so I may finally be able to play the cello again!

What Does the Fox Say?

Cumhuriyet Bayrami Kutlu Olsun! is Happy Independence Day!  This year was the 90th anniversary of Turkey's "Cumhuriyet."  Last Saturday we all had our first official Turkish class. It was a bit of a downer for me because I basically already knew everything we learned in our first lesson.  It's still good to review, but I'm looking forward to the next classes in which I know I'll learn more.  However, we have to wait a while, because the next weekend we had a conference, the weekend after that (this weekend!) we're going to Istanbul, and the weekend after that, we're going to Bodrum, and then we'll have our next Turkish lesson.

Afterwards, all of us went to a random cafe, and I had what was definitely the worst milkshake of my entire life.  Some of us then went with Quinn and met some of her friends, and went to this little diner.  I split what was Quinn's first waffle with her, and it was quite the delight.  I'm sure when I measure my exchange weight gain, half of it will be in Turkish waffles.  

On Monday, the day before Independence Day, we had a half day at school that was full of celebrations and ceremonies (and one English test), but after the test we went to the Amphitheater where there was a professional band playing many traditional Turkish songs.  Everybody was singing at the top of their lungs, clapping, waving flags, and hitting balloons.  Even though I didn't know any of the songs, I still had a blast clapping along and trying to catch on to what I could. 

I met back up with Quinn and her friends after school and we went to Forum Bornova (a shopping center nearby).  Quinn and I have long been on the quest to find a purse, because we're both quite sick of looking like the obvious tourist walking around with the bulky backpack.  However, I think because I don't like wearing purses, I have a predisposition to not like any of them, which is not good.

The next day was Independence Day.  All of the exchange students in the near area joined a parade in Alsancak where we walked, waved our flags, dressed full out, and randomly sang the Turkish national anthem (just the melody, of course).  It felt like one of the most "exchange" days to me yet. 

After the parade was over I walked around with some friends, and then at 4 p.m. we met back up with the other exchange students.  We went to the center of Alsancak where thousands of people were meeting and saying a pledge that was banned years ago to make a point against the current government.  In general, most people are not a fan of the current government (at least in the western area) and those who don't like the current government love Ataturk.  Ataturk is adored by everyone here.  You cannot walk five minutes without seeing some poster or statue of him, and I don't think we have any equivalent to that in the U.S.  Ataturk was the man who helped westernize Turkey and separate it's religion from state. 

Zoe and I

This dog was following the soldiers around all day

We stuck around with the other exchange students for a while and took selfies with strangers kind of mocking the fact of how many random people had been taking pictures of us all day.  Everybody took it well and humorously.  


Afterwards we took the ferry back home and Elizabeth, Zoe and I ate at Deniz Park and had what I thought was one of the best pieces of chocolate cake I've ever had.

Wednesday was another half day for me because many student were taking the PSAT during the afternoon.  Because of this I was able to attend a Rotary meeting right after school was over.  After the meeting, I went with Elizabeth to the Bostanli Pazaar (she needed some fruit) and we then met up with Zoe to get some ice cream.  After this Zoe and I walked home (we live very close to each other).  The walk was about a half hour which was very relaxing.  She also had to buy a newspaper because one of the random pictures taken of her on Independence Day was actually in the paper, which we all found quite hilarious.

The next day was Halloween!  It was quite odd not seeing a ton of little children in town dressed up and begging for candy, but some of the girls nearby threw our own little Halloween night where we watched "Hocus Pocus" and ate lots of candy.  We tried taking a country test together as well to see how many countries in the world we could write in 10 minutes and it is a lot harder than you'd expect!  I was so surprised by how little of the African countries we could come up with especially.

On Saturday we finally had our conference in Kusadasi!  It's always so fun when we're able to get together with all of the exchange students.  We first went over all the rules again, nothing much changed there, and then about 6 or 7 of us went swimming.  The water was definitely chilly (yes, even for a Wisconsinite) but that's what made it fun.  We stayed out in the water for a while and then went in to have our "Halloween Dance" I dressed up as "Sarah Bond" a very creative costume in which I did nothing but put on a black coat and sunglasses that I was wearing that day anyway.  The only difference was when people asked who I was I responded "That's classified" (credit to Emily Reid).

The next day we were able to go to Ephesus and The House of the Virgin Mary.  This was our first major trip and I think it was a great way to start off.  We first went to The House of the Virgin Mary, which was quite incredible.  After you exit the house, you're allowed to exit the house and make a prayer with the candle, light it, and put it with all the other candles there have been prayers made upon.  You then proceed to this huge wall of wishes/prayers.  Supposedly when they burn down the papers on the wall all of those wishes/prayers come true.

After this we went to Ephesus.  I think the pictures can be explanation enough.

Because back then it was normal for men to socialize while taking a crap

This was definitely the funnest weekend of my exchange so far.  I'm so excited for the future trips to come!  Here's some more pictures from the weekend for your entertainment. (and for reference if I'm ever listing names it's from left to right)

The Mexicans! Daniela, Pedro A. and Fernanda

My roomates! Mallory (from Canada) and Emily (from U.S.)

Lee! from South Korea

The Americans! Maddie (Missouri), Emily (New York), and Elizabeth (Oregon)

The Brazilians! (top row then bottom) Junior, Mavi, Camille, Bruno, Pedro P., Heloisa, Julia, and Nicolas

The French Man Benjamin!

The whole group!

Quinn showing off her Mexican side

We all decided that this boy is going to become a model

Happy Holidays

 Iyi Bayramlar!  That’s the Turkish translation of “Happy Holidays.”  This past week we had off school because of Kuran Bayram, a religious holiday in which lambs are sacrificed.  Because people aren’t as ok now with the sacrificing of lambs, most donate money that is equal to the price of a lamb. 

During the vacation my family went to their summer house in Cesme. When I asked how many days we’d be there my host mom said “probably 3 or 4” and we ended up staying from Sunday to Friday.  Much needless to say I was terribly packed.

During our time in Cesme I had many opportunities to relax in a lawn chair outside and read.  I first read “13 Little Blue Envelopes” by Maureen Johnson, which I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys YA novels.  Next I read “Let it Snow” by Maureen Johnson, John Green (whom I have officially read all the books of, and did I ever mention that I met him back in Waupaca, and told him he had ranch on his face?), and Lauren Myracle, I didn’t like this book as much as the previous, it was made of 3 separate stories, which were each enjoyable on their own, but the way they came together in the end seemed a bit awkward and forced.  I then started the beloved “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, even having already seen the movie twice by this point and having watched “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries” with Marisa, I don’t think there’s any way to ruin such a classic.  Lizzie’s father is probably one of the best written characters in a book ever and her writing is simply so classic and creative.  But that’s enough on book reviews, now I’ll tell you what I did (besides relaxing).  (And as an explaining of the picture, the actual picture isn't at that angle, but for some reason that's the angle my computer insists on pasting it)

Heloisa and Mavi are two other exchange students (and yes, both from Brazil) who came to Cesme as well during Bayram.  We got together three times during the week, first on Monday we went to a little town area and got Waffles.   When I talk about waffles, I don’t mean your regular breakfast waffles with syrup, I’m talking waffles with nutella and bananas and strawberries and chocolate drizzled on top and basically anything else you can think of.  Each place makes it in their own unique way and they’re simply so good.  The people there really enjoyed talking to us and asked to take pictures with us and use them for their new website.  Being an exchange student tends to draw attention like that more often than you’d think.

Heloisa's on the left Mavi's on the right

The next day we went swimming at the sea, which is absolutely lovely.  Heloisa and Mavi thought it was cold, but I can’t even describe how beautiful and calming it is.  The water is so clear, you can go out infinitely deep and still see your feet clearly through the water.  There’s also not near as much salt in the sea as there was in the water in Cancun or Florida which I tend to get really bothered by.  And the fact that I could go swimming and then lay in the sun and almost get burned in the middle of October, that is something you simply could never say in Wisconsin.

Every stray dog I see I want to take home and keep forever, meaning there's a lot of dogs I'm currently in wanting of

Mavi was having a bit of fun with the camera

The next day my family invited Heloisa and Mavi out on their boat, which was simply a blast.  We went out at about 1 p.m. and were on the boat for about 6 hours, but it didn’t feel like nearly that long.  We played backgammon and everyone was so surprised I knew how to play, because apparently it’s a Turkish game.  I just remember my dad saying he played it in college and had no idea how it came into the U.S.  I know that almost none of my friends back home know how to play it either, but while reading pride and prejudice, the characters played backgammon.  I should probably look up the history of backgammon so I have a bit more of a right to babble as much about it as I have been.  Anyway, I enjoyed it.  They also taught me this game similar to checkers, but instead of moving the pieces diagonal, you move them side to side.  The workers on the boat would help me make the right move any time Kemal looked away, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  We had Calamari and Shrimp for dinner which was absolutely amazing.  At one point it started raining heavily on the boat and we were all rushed inside, there was this boat calling for Mayday nearby and for the rest of the day Atilla kept saying how we were on an “adventure,” which resulted in many eye rolls from Banu.  The view from the boat was absolutely beautiful, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get over how amazing it is to constantly be by the sea.  Pictures can never truly capture the beauty of it.

The rainbow painted stairs started during the protests last year

There's apparently a matching statue in Copenhagen

My host family

Kemal kind of refused to stay still for any of the pictures

The next day I wasn’t able to talk much because we mostly met with relatives and had long chats that were completely in Turkish.  I honestly am getting better, but I still can’t have conversations.  I only understand simple questions and whatnot, but it’s hard not to feel a bit like an outsider when everyone’s having conversations and you just have no idea what’s going on.

We came back after the sunset on Friday and today I went to Alsancak with Zoe and finally got a new pair of sunglasses.  Also, if I haven’t mentioned my mom bought me a watch the other day.  I mentioned how I hoped to get one in one of my first days here and I thought it was so sweet of her to buy me one!

I’ve been starting to miss random things about back home, things like being cold and the stars.  Living in a city full of lights makes it hard to see the stars at night time.  I miss being allowed to be a bit of a slob sometimes and not having to work as hard to keep up my appearances, and I miss potato chips.