We spent five days in Istanbul Turkey, and it was wonderful and a bit of the culture shock I was hoping for. In both good and bad ways. Currently I'm sailing between Turkey and Morocco and finally having a 5 day week of classes, of which is why I've been taking a while to make this entry, for those of you who have been looking for my Turkey feedback. One thing that I'm glad that I did was make a list of firsts. After each day I made a list of things I did for the first time. This is helpful because I crammed so much into my time in Turkey that it's almost impossible to tell it all in one blog entry. I will try my best haha The biggest shock was that there isn't the freedom of speech. You can be arrested if you talk against Attaturk, the man who made Turkey what it is today (everyone is a forced equal, and if the governement messes up the military interferes...for the super brief version). Also, the Christians aren't allowed to have church picnics or outings because that can be thought of as "forced" conversion. If someone wants to convert they have to go through schooling for 2 years (we talked to a greek orthodox priest there from chicago) this way they know they're serious. Because they have people spy on the church to make sure they're basically not being threatening.... Technically the muslims aren't supposed to be allowed to either, but since the current government is muslim (the christians don't have enough people for a member or parliament) they can have big Ramadan Festivals (it was fun) in public and everything. This is odd since the Orthodox version of the pope (patriarch) resides in Istanbul...I know not everyone enjoys politics or history blabber...but it was just weird to go and discuss my faith with someone (which I do quite naturally) and then having to zip my lips. It was especially interesting when we went with a Muslim tour guide to visit the remaining churches in Istanbul. I met a Nigerian residing in Istanbul, who shares his faith as an almost underground thing...doing what we take for granted...in a bit of an extreme situation. We had an awesome conversation...I'm sure in the much more strict country of Morocco it will be even more interesting to see. The churches were beautiful, especially Hagia Sofia, of which is still very obviously a church, with a couple of mosque artifacts tossed in. Thankfully they consider Jesus a prophet so they didn't remove the beautiful artwork in the church. It is one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen. I went with my friend Ryan and we just spent 2 hours walking around and admiring the intricate details. You may think two hours in a church is a bit excessive, but you have to see it to understand. I have some awesome pictures. Also we got to spend the first day of Ramadan in Istanbul (or Constantinople or Byzantium, whichever you please *cue the old song*). There was some really good people watching. Technically the Turkish people themselves aren't allowed to wear religious garments (so those full length black face covering muslim outfits, or priest garb...any of that) however the visitors are allowed to. So "Black Birds" what they call the women in full muslim garb are visitors from say Iraq or Iran, somewhere like that. So just watching all the different people was interesting...and everyone looked a lot classier, since it's frowned on for men and women to wear shorts (kids can, I can't remember why). Long skirts and even slacks are quite classy. It was too hot for jeans, so linen pants were the way to go. I also bought a bright blue pair of harem pants that are supposedly what the farm girls where to keep cool in the fields. Idk...they're comfy and cool (temperature wise). I also went to a belly dancing show, it was amazing and most of the belly dancers (except one) kept it classy and were very respectful to their art. It has a respectable history, only problem is that a lot of westerners...like some americans, have turned it into some sort of strip dance...which isn't belly dancing..it's stripping..when I say I'm taking belly dancing please don't take it in that way. It's just another form of dance, that is very complicated and a lot of fun. Plus it teaches everyone to embrace their body, no matter what shape it is. I'm excited to perform in the talent show on the 5th (of August). I also spent the day before the belly dancing show just lounging by the pool...where we were docked was awesome. While I layed out I could see Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia, the blue mosque and Galata Tower...pretty much not a better view in town. That and I could watch all the ferries going off to the islands or back and forth between Asia. Oh, that's on the list of firsts, I went to Asia...for dinner haha We took the fairy over, for those of you who don't know, half of Istanbul is in Europe and the other half is in Asia (where the rest of the country is). We ate dinner at an upscale restaurant and watched the fireworks and light up bridge. It was a really good time. Thinking of food, I forgot to mention the awesome 5 course meal that came with the belly dancing show..we had salad, fresh fruit, an appetizer plate..that I couldn't tell what much was but it was good, the main course was rice and chicken and brussel sprouts. It was all amazing, the chicken was grilled and smoked, and just yum. :) Also they had a very yummy rose wine that I loved. It was all for about $40 which isn't bad at all. Actually, we got a discount for being belly dance students, it was half off. :) yay! Outside of the Blue Mosque was a guy making lollipops, which was really cool. Unfortunately that poor man does that every day all day...talk about boring...I saw so much...I had to just pick a couple things, unfortunately. Okay now for the list of first that I made haha
Turkish Firsts
Turkish Delight (nut candy with gooey sweet stuff and powdered sugar yum)
Fresh figs
Public bathroom was a hole in the ground....oh the technical difficulties.
Bought fresh spices at the Spice Market (like the powdery funky kind)
Went inside a mosque (which is allowed in Turkey..because they're an odd Muslim country, please ask if you have questions!! :) )
Had yogurt drink called ayran, would taste good if I liked plane yogurt.
I was pick pocketed...too bad for them I wasn't dumb enough to put anything in my pockets...and I hit the lady pretty hard while she was doing it...my friends were impressed...cat reflexes :)
I heard (and recorded) the call to prayer.
Ate fresh kebab carved from that spinning chunk of meat you always see on t.v. YUM <3 Turkish spice
Ate a turkish pretzel, basically round bread covered in sesame seeds.
Learned some turkish: su means water bayon means women both important
Went to Asia
Went to the Grand Bazaar (and saw Ben Affleck filming a movie..pretty cool) 3,000+stands/stores
Went to a Hooka Bar
Rode in a mercedes van (they're EVERYWHERE)
Had to cover my head (for the mosque)
Called my mom on a public phone in a port (last time it was outside :)) miss you mom <3
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