Grand Washington Istanbul

... into a rhythm with our students -- just in time for everything to change. Suddenly, the English prep course was no longer required for students in particular majors (those that were delivered in Turkish, rather than English -- e.g.: computer engineering, etc.). This news trickled out to a few classes at the end of the day on the Friday of the second week, but no one really knew what it meant, Over the next week there were a lot of rumors, but nothing concrete ...

... by the Golden Horn.
4. Favourite taste - Turkey's take on Jen's veggie medley - spinach, carrot, mushroom, onion and cream - just delish!
5. Favourite moment - gazing at mosaics in the Aya Sofia as the sun sets and makes the golden background glow.
6. Favourite place - the backstreet behind the Aya Sophia lined with pretty pastel coloured wooden houses (and no tourists)
7. Favourite smell - fresh Balal (grilled corn on the cob)

Random ...

... computer and I overheard one say to the other "Oh, Cricket, that's just like baseball for British people."

"So, where in the States are you from?"

I miss baseball, and I do like meeting Americans...

I learned that they were both from Minnesota. Among other things they were planning to go to Cappadocia, so I started telling them how fun it was and how they should rent motorscooters. I was considering whether or not to tell them about Fatboys, but they did look ...

... c and uplıftıng experıence. Then I took a scenıc bosphorous cruıse, whıch was crammed to the brım wıth French and German tourısts. Met a kıd travelıng from Korea and talked to hım most of the tıme about how obnoxıous the old German women were beıng. Then I hopped off mıd way at Sasuka - somethıng wıth an S at least - to vısıt a lıttle museum famous for ıts collectıon of ...

Were pretendıng not to be tourısts anymore. Our flıght leaves at 530 tmrw mornıng and a hotel seems a waste...so that plan ıs to sımply lıve ın Istanbul for the day wıth no goals- soak ın what we can and then head to the aırport tonıght when the last shuttle leaves. For those who wıll see us on Monday- please forgıve the travel stupor worsened by a nıght spent at the aırport. See you soon!!!

... listen Turkish torture music coming from the streets.There is the awkward feeling of familiar which makes me feel both at comfort and discomfort. Comfort because my family lives here and each moment i have with them is a blessing. Discomfort because every time i visit Istanbul,it gets more clear that i don`t want to live in here or in Turkey ever again. We went to a few malls with dad and did the usual `buy-whatever-you-want-to-buy` shopping ...

... least. Not only did it look like he was doing a rather feminine dance but the locals put money on his forhead by licking the note...! After the boy had danced for around 10 minutes instead of giving him water they gave him the local raki, a very strong spirit. The poor boy thought it was water and drank it...it was so sad to see as he of course got a big shock and spat it all out, which the locals thought was the funniest thing. I wonder if it was part of the ...

... towards where were on Monday. Lots of people, and modern boutiques - this is modern Istanbul. Wander along Cicek Passage (Flower Passage) and the neighbouring lanes, and stop to look at a fancy church. Get the funicular back to "Tunel", then the tram. Back at the hostel, Murray has a rest, and Dianne goes for a walk to find the "Empress Zoe" hotel, which is very boutiquey. Whole area has been restored with tourists ...

... Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine gabriel slonimsky Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). The city was chosen as www.gabrielslonimsky.com joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.www.martinslonimsky.com

The ferry ride over the black sea wasn't too bad. There was a disco on board the ship and interesting people to chat with and some curious food items. Customs was also a new process. Everyone got off the boat and then you stand in a group until they call out your name. Taking into accounts accents and pronunciation you do have to pay close attention. Then you give them some money and you can enter Istanbul. One of the first things ...