Our first full day in istanbul

Merhaba! Yesterday, June 3rd was a wonderful, action-packed day...so much so that we didn't return to our hotel until past 11:00 pm! We started the day with breakfast at our hotel-the Grand Anka-then embarked on a bus to the Miniaturk, a park full of miniature models representing key cultural and historic sites from both the past and present of Turkey (Türkiye). We even came into contact with a large group of Turkish elementary school children who excitedly surrounded Dean, Kalyn, Miriam, Jesse, Sarabrynn and myself. The children were beyond excited to practice their English with us and it was the highlight of our day-until the Bosphorus boat tour, that is! 



After the Miniaturk we took our bus to a boat on the Bosphorus. We all sat atop the deck-many of us sitting on massive Eastern-style pillows-enjoying the views of both the European and Asian sides of the city of Istanbul. The muezzin (call to prayer) even sounded beautiful as we passed by, to Jesse and I's utter delight. We were even served tea on the boat! After the boat tour we were taken to a restaurant in Taksim Square called Beyoglu Bereket Halk Döner before going back to the hotel to get ready for dinner with a local family. Before we left, Miriam, Sania, Jesse and I walked down the street to a small flower shop where the students were able to buy beautiful and very affordable (5-10 Turkish Lira) gifts bouquets for the family which the florist even sprinkled with gloater and wrapped in ribbon. 

We then got back on the bus and drove outside of Istanbul to Silivri and the house of the Beyaz family which overlooked the Sea of Marmara. The family not only welcomed all 28 of us (guides included) to their home but fed us from their berry patches and orchards before treating us to an amazing meal outside. The strawberries were so sweet and tender that one barely had to bite into them and they would melt in your mouth, more like strawberry juice! Also, the cherries were so amazing that Brittany-who doesn't even like cherries-couldn't resist eating more and more until we were sat for dinner in the beautiful, breezy, high-60s weather. Turkish staples such as lahmacun (a kind of Turkish taco-pizza), fresh watermelon and a variety of breads and salads. After we ate, we all congregated in the Beyaz family's gorgeous home and talked from sunset until past 10 pm. The family gave gifts-original paintings done by an artist friend-to the most experienced teacher (principal Dean Lillard) and the least experienced and most freshly minted teacher (Kathleen Hill)-and swerved us tea and homemade baklava.  Then we exchanged hugs and affirmations of friendship before driving back to the hotel for the night.