In less than 24 hours. I'll be sitting on a plane west-bound, inching closer and closer to home. My family awaits my arrival, and I can't wait to see their faces light up with joy when I walk through the Louisville airport. I have so many stories to share of life-changing conversations and friendships and pictures to facilitate my attempt to reveal the beauty of Turkey. This year, Christmas day will be filled with laughter, tears, and long embraces as my family celebrates the gift of life, and my safe return.

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A final dinner at Sozeri, my favorite restaurant on campus, with some friends.

December 20, 2007

Lesson Twelve: Parting is anything but sweet, but memories are filled with Turkish Delight

On my second to last day in Turkey, Samantha and I returned to Ataturk’s mausoleum, (click here for photo), to pay our final respects to the “Father of the Turks.” This was one of my favorite museums I visited all semester, and I found it fitting to begin and end my stay in Ankara with a trip to Ataturk’s resting place. The man holds a dear place in the heart of all Turks, and the Turks hold a dear place in my heart. The Turkish hospitality extended to me this semester is beyond anything I anticipated when I boarded the plane in August, and something I'll never forget.