October 30, 2007

Lesson Eight: Turkey is typical with a twist

It's the most phenomenal loaded baked potato known to mankind. Atop a huge potato is every topping you could imagine from cheese to sausage (no bacon because Turkey is a predominately Muslim country) to vegetables. It's a meal all on its own and a wonderful one at that! After pleasing my stomach, we strolled through a local bazaar where I satisfied my shopping desires.

The city was decorated with billions of flags and banners because Republic Day was October 29. Pictures of Ataturk adorned every building and street post, while flags of every size were for sale at each corner. The city was in celebration mode all weekend; three of Istanbul’s soccer teams played home games on Sunday, and the world’s only cross- continental marathon was in Istanbul on Sunday, as well. Parades, bazaars, and festivals occurred all across the country similar to Fourth of July festivities in the States to celebrate the Republic’s birthday. Leaving the city by bus Monday night, we enjoyed a fireworks show comparable to Thunder over Louisville.