Look at all the flags!

Excitement overwhelmed me as we rode through the city; I reminisced about my time in Istanbul at the beginning of the semester. Familiar restaurants, landmarks, ferry stops, and shopping districts created a welcoming sentiment as I pointed out my “expertise” of the city to my friends. I felt like a pro navigating our way to the Grand Bazaar and around Taxim Square!

In addition to enjoying familiar activities, Zeynep took us to places on the opposite side of the city than where I stayed a few months prior. On Saturday we wandered along the Bosporus in Beşiktaş and indulged in delicious kumpir.

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October 30, 2007

Lesson Eight: Turkey is typical with a twist

A typical week for me consists of class, basketball, homework, and hanging out with friends—just like a typical week at Centre. One factor that makes being in Turkey so different, besides the obvious language and cultural difference, is the ease at which I can travel throughout the country. It never ceases to amaze me how simple it is to take weekend trips. I just buy a bus or train ticket and go. Hostels can be reserved online, and a handy travel guide outlines the best places to visit. The hardest part is deciding which fantastic place to visit!

This past weekend a couple of us went to Istanbul because I wanted to do some shopping (I can't help that because I'm a female I can alleviate problems with retail therapy!). Istanbul has great markets and bazaars that aren't as abundant in Ankara, plus getting off campus for the weekend was a nice change of scenery. We boarded the train Friday night in Ankara and arrived on the Asian side of Istanbul Saturday morning. One of my Turkish friends, Zeynep, has an apartment in Istanbul where we made a stop for naps before exploring the city.