Parting Thoughts, But the Journey Is Not Over

Well I am officially back from Turkey and slowly getting back into the swing of things here. Turkey is an amazing and beautiful country, comprised of rich history and wonderful people. My time spent there was indescribable. My heart is full of experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I'll be in touch once I have gathered pictures from our group in order to give you a taste of what I experienced in the beautiful place called Turkey. I pray that you will have the opportunity to go there too someday.

To quote Rumi again, "This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet.” With your love and support, I took my first steps. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am eternally grateful.

Keep Jennifer in Your Thoughts

Hello All - As I post this, Jennifer should be shortly getting up and heading for the airport to begin her long journey back home. She'll be catching an early morning flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt and then on to Seattle. Please keep her in your thoughts, wishing her a safe return home.

Thanks for reading and sharing your comments on the blog. Jennifer is planning to lead a brown bag lunch talk after she is settled back into the swing of things, so look for an anouncement from her in the near future... :o)

Grand Bazaar - Shopping Opportunities!

... a lot of window shopping with 6,000 shops covering 58 streets! With over 250,000 visitors a DAY, what an experience that Jennifer must be having! Just to soak up all the smells, noises, and sites, I would be on sensory overload myself!

Additionally, it does look as though Jennifer is still having some beautiful, sunny weather!

Here's a wiki link with a little bit more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar,_Istanbul

Fatih University

This university is located in Istanbul. The shot is an aerial view of the university. I've added a link to the university's home page:

http://www.fatih.edu.tr/

The Faces of Beautiful Children

Is There a Layaway Plan?

... that's what Jennifer had to say when she visited a shop selling rugs.

Here's a link to learn more about Turkish made carpets:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milas_carpet

"Peace at home, Peace in the World"

These words have become memoralized throughout Turkey, spoken by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the man whose life was intertwined closely with the development of a modern and independent Turkey.He served as Turkey's first president after having served as the country's prime minister. He is known as the Father of Turkey and his image is found on public buildings, in the schools, in the homes, and on the country's banknotes. He has been honored by the United Nations (The Ataturk Year in the World) and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (1934).

Here's the wiki link - definitely worth reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Kemal_Atat%C3%BCrk

Jennifer Checks In :o)

Hello All -

Jennifer called in a short time ago. She just arrived back to Istanbul and it is quite late. She said that she is doing very well and she sounded great (not thousands of miles away!).

She had dinner last night at a Turkish home. Each person of the group was asked to leave a chair space between each other so that a Turkish person could pair up with each person from the tour group. A wonderful older woman sat with Jennifer and while they were not able to communicate very well with each other, Jennifer indicated that the woman said that if the world could sit down, share a meal and converse, wouldn't the world be a better place? Jennifer said that in the short span of a meal, the two of them quickly bonded and by the end of the evening, there were tearful goodbyes.

Jennifer said she is not looking forward to the flight home. She said that the group will be getting up at 3 AM (Friday) to catch a 6 AM flight to Frankfurt and then back to America..

She wanted me to convey that she misses us and will see us next week.

Elementary School Visit

Jennifer visited an elementary school. Here is what she had to say:

"We visited a 2nd grade class where they were learning English. We all sang together. The children were so sweet. It was hard to leave! "

Dallas....

... yes, for those of you who remember JR Ewing and the rest of the Ewing clan that were a popular American media staple every Friday evening, this outdoor restaurant is named after the American television show!

Want a little trip down memory lane, take a look at this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_(TV_series)

Camels in Turkey!

Jennifer sent a photo of some camels she encountered, taking a break. Mounting camels can be daunting if not given proper instruction of when and where to lean to assist the camel's effort in getting up from this position. And while they look cute, they have been known to spit!

More on Antalya Hotel

Jennifer wrote:

"The hotel name is Club Hotel Sera. It is a five star resort hotel. I just finished swimming in the warm mediterraean under the moonlight. WOW. Will send more pics later."

See post below for a gorgeous view of the hotel lobby.

Antalya - Hotel Lobby

Looking on wiki, Antalya is a coastal city. It looks very inviting and again, filled with ancient significance. Jennifer sent a shot of her hotel lobby - incredible!

And here is the wiki site for Antalya if you would like to read more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antalya

The Great Theatre at Ephesus

I just received this photo from Jennifer that she took at the theatre at Ephesus. I found an interesting link in which you can take a virtual tour of the theatre as well as read a short history. The wiki site is very interesting too!

http://www.whitman.edu/theatre/theatretour/ephesus/introduction/ephesus.intro1.htm

This link has the virtual tour. Click on "take the tour" to access the virtual reality of the theatre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus

This is a link that discusses Ephesus itself as well as its many historical sites.

House of the Virgin Mary

Located on Mt. Koressos, or Mount Nightingale, it is believed that Saint John brought Mary to this house in her final years. It is interesting that this house was discovered in the late 1800s based on the visions of a person who had never visited here. According to wikipedia, pilgrimages are made to this house in which visitors drink from the spring, which is believed to be miraculous. We'll have to ask if Jennifer drank from the spring, once she returns.

Read more at wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary%27s_House

Photo of Jennifer's Group

Our Jennifer is in the front row - don't you just wish to be there too?

Lunching Near Sulymanie Mosque

More good stuff from Jennifer today :-)

"The restaurant is over 500 years old! Temp was high 70s and sunny all day. I'm even learning some turkish, been called a pistachio which is a compliment, and of course have talked about politics with the locals. I already want to come back here again! I miss everyone so much! Until next time..."

Here's what wiki has about Suleymaniye Mosque:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCleymaniye_Mosque

Surreal Experience

Jennifer text messaged the following:


"All of us in the group will share pics we took after the trip. It still seems so surreal that I am here! And hearing the call to prayer is just beautiful. There are thirteen of us in the group. All very nice. Gotta run!"


Here is a link from wiki about daily prayers that might of interest and may just be some of what Jennifer is hearing as she takes in the experience of Istanbul:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_honorifics


She has also sent a picture of the Blue Mosque (right) that she visited on the 15th.

Hagia Sophia

Jennifer sent a picture of Hagia Sophia for us!

Hagia Sophia (means "Holy Wisdom" according to wikipedia) is probably one of the most recognized sites of Istanbul. The current building was built around AD 530s and was once a mosque, but is now a museum. To read more about this location, check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia

Jennifer Made It

Hello Everyone - 

I heard from Jennifer via text message. She made it to Istanbul and she's doing great. Although crowded, her impression of Istanbul is that it is a very beautiful city :-) 

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Jennifer's On Her Way to Turkey!

Hello All -

Just wanted to let you know that I talked with Jennifer early this afternoon as she was headed off to the airport to catch her mid-afternoon flight. She'll be making a stop-over in Frankfurt and then on to Istanbul. She sounds in great spirits and anxious to be under way!

I hope that you will check periodically as Jennifer will be sending me updates on her trip and hopefully some photos too!

Websites to Learn More About Turkey

These are some of the websites that Jennifer suggest taking a look at to learn more about Turkey:

good turkey websites/info links:
http://www.tourismturkey.org/
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/turkey/turkey_menu.htm
http://www.acaciafoundation.org/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/turkey/

You might also try wikipedia.org

Jennifer's Thoughts Before Leaving for Turkey

Wow. If I had to sum up my thoughts right now on my upcoming trip to Turkey in one word, that would be it - wow. I cannot believe that an opportunity of this magnitude has been given to me. The generosity of my friends, colleagues, and family that has been shown to me...I am blown away by it all. This is my first trip abroad, and what a beautiful country lies ahead for me to see. I'm excited to meet the native Turkish people, as the ones that I have met in this country are by far the most gracious and thoughtful that I have ever come across in my life.

I want to thank each and everyone of you that have contributed to my trip, that have given me their words of support, and are even pitching in while I will be gone. In the words of Rumi, a reknowned poet and Sufi philosopher, "even if each of my hairs could say thank you, I would be unable to express my gratitude". Those are my sentiments to all of you.