Istanbul, Turkey

Arriving in Istanbul I wanted to see nothing else other than a pillow. After having been up (with short naps here and there on various planes and in the airport) dad and I had been up for over 36 hours.

We were greeted at out hotel with a long mirror and a security officer checking for a bomb beneath our cab. Not quite the welcome we had expected. We got inside our room made a quick call to mom via skype and showered. It was not long until we quite literally fell into bed just after 3am.

The next morning (or more accurately later that morning) we met our group leader Bilal. Bilal is a man who lives in the United States, Indiana and comes to Turkey about 3 months out of the year to run these trips. He is Turkish by birth. He works for the Niagra Foundation which is the company that puts these trips together. The Niagra Foundation works in bridging the gap between different cultures within the United States and Turkey.

After we ate breakfast we were introduced to our tour guide for the day Ali. Bilal had to stay by the airport to be there for the rest of our group to arrive. Ali, a mechanical engineer works as a consultant for an irrigation company (amongst other things).

Ali took us to the local hangout. There were thousands of people walking through the streets in “Old Istanbul”. After witnessing a theft while driving by I kept a tight grip on my purse the entire day. Luckily we did not have any problems.

There were shops and restaurants everywhere. After walking quite a while we were famished. Ali kept us walking though. He wanted to get to a particular restaurant which we came to find out was his favorite restaurant from his college days. While at lunch Ali left two times to go to the Mosque and pray. I learned quite a lot about the Muslim culture. Ali was very open and encouraged us to ask questions. He asked questions to dad and I as well.

Walking back to our car we came across an authentic dress maker’s shop. It was AWESOME! I loved the craftsmanship of each piece as well as the creativity. Last night I even dreamed about going to the shop and having them make me something.

This morning waking up was a bit difficult. I was rather tired. Part of this is due to the fact that I do not have a watch! The room does not have a clock and my phone is not receiving the time. Also last night I took the wrong medicine, realized it and then took the right medicine. Wondering if they did not mix right.

We ate breakfast with about half of the group. The other arrived today. And I found CHOCOLATE CEREAL!!!!! It was definitely different chocolate than I am used to but it was very good! It completely made my morning. After breakfast I went to the concierge to exchange money. Wondering what exchange rate I would get because one lady Mrs. Arnold got 150 turkish money for $100 and another lady, Kelly got $148. I got $152! I’m not sure what that was due to, but I was not complaining! Later we all laughed about it.

Senator Arnold and his wife, Kelly Mitchell, Rich Bramer, Dad and myself embarked on a wonderful journey after breakfast, the Grand Bazaar. A enclosed market place dating back to 1461! I bought several things. None which I will mention because some of you reading this blog will receive some of the things. It was fun to haggle with the sellers trying to barter a much more reasonable price. One item I got for 25% of the original price. The vendor said I had very nice eyes. It was definitely an experience that pushed me past my comfort zone. But once I got into it it was addicting. I would walk away from a store and vendors would follow me trying to talk the price down. They were doing the job for me.

Following the Grand Bazaar we went back to the hotel and met the rest of the group. Finally we were all together. Our first destination was the Museum of 1453. It was a museum of how the Muslim culture took over the city. They had a panoramic dome which displayed a beautiful huge painting of that day’s attack.

After the museum we went directly to the Newspaper Zaman. It was interesting to hear their take on the Gaza incident last week with Israel. Zaman claims to be a paper that is unbiased. Quite a different take on the American newspapers. No political party is pushed further than another. Rather they offer all sides and also put their own advice in. I can see many pros and cons in this newspaper but I did find it refreshing to find a paper that offered all sides of the argument.

That evening we went to the first of a family dinner. We were welcomed by the Deputy Editor of the Zaman paper. For our group of about 15 people they have over 30 dishes of food for us to eat! Amazing people. They did not speak English but their smiles and generosity spoke louder than words ever could.

Whew....what a great first few days in Istanbul!

Amsterdam, Holland

Flying from Indianapolis to New York, dad I then flew about 7 hours to Amsterdam. Looking out of the window we saw perfectly plowed fields. No doubt used for the many tulip fields in the spring...too bad we missed them!

Getting off the plane it was apparent that we were no longer in America. Though most signs were translated into English, Dutch was the first language of any sign. We walked around and around the airport trying to find currency exchange, bathrooms (water closets) and the train to take us to central station.

As we walked down some stairs we came to the water closet with no doors! I could plainly see right into the men’s bathrooms. As dad was entering the men’s a woman was exiting just having cleaned. The restrooms were very clean and it felt so good to splash a little Dutch water on my face.

In the restroom, women kept commenting on my hair (well....I think that they were. I could not understand them but they were pointing to my long and 12 hour old crazy looking braid) I was then asked if I was German, however the lady was asking me in Dutch. I was so confused and just smiled. She soon figured out I was American.

After walking again around and around the large airport we figured out where we needed to go to get out tickets for the train. It was so interesting to watch the man who was selling the tickets switch from language to language as people from different nationalities approached his desk. After receiving our tickets we only had 2 minutes to catch the train. We ran as fast as we could. Luckily we made the right train.

As soon as we walked out of the airport into the train station it all felt even more real. We were in AMSTERDAM!!! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. When we sat down in the train however reality started to set in. We had been up for almost 24 hours and we had a full day ahead of ourselves.

When we got to central station we got out our map and headed to the Anne Frank Huis (The home where Anne Frank was in hiding). The walk to the home was awesome. Through it was just barely after 8am there were hundreds of people across the streets walking and biking. I have never seen so many bikes in all of my life! It was hard to even cross the street at a cross walk.

After walking down what seemed to be a neighborhood we came across a small sign that said “Anne Frank Huis”. At the end of the corner was a museum but it was literally hidden amongst the rest of the neighborhood. Walking in the museum, then the business warehouse then finally the home of Anne Frank hidden behind a bookshelf was a surreal experience. I have studied the WWII era since I was about nine years old, yet it never ceases to amaze me at how someone could be so cruel in trying to kill an entire race.

As I read excerpts from Anne’s diary I wondered if I would have the courage to do what she did at such a young age. It was inspiring yet so sad to know that a family, thousands of families just like the Frank’s had to face the exact same thing. Sadly many of them did not live to tell the stories. Luckily though Anne died her story lived to touch millions of lives through her diary.

In the final room of the museum, almost directly below and one room over from the “secret annex” was Anne’s actual diaries. A book translated and read by so many people from all across the world, written by a young teen was right in front of me in its original format. It may sound strange to some but it was a moment that brought the almost fake sounding story to actual life. Never did I doubt Anne’s book but being able to see the book for myself told the tale in a way I have never realized before.

Our next stop was the Vincent van Gogh museum. By this time dad and I were beyond tired. Our carry on bags that we had been lugging across town seemed to get heavier just as out eyes did. We took a break about half way to the museum just to rest our feet and shoulders.

Upon reaching the museum the day had clearly come to its height. There were people everywhere. I thought 8am was crowed...it did not compare to the afternoon. When we purchased our tickets we went into the museum. Luckily no bags were allowed inside so we had to give up our bags to the concierge for the rest of our museum visit. We both smiled and gave up our bags gladly.

Going through the museum was very educational. Being an amateur artist I have studies van Gogh. However the museum brought him to become a much more personable character. It took us through his entire life up unto his death. He did not even draw or paint until he was 30 years old. Before that time of many things he was an evangelist.

Dad and I were going through the museum at record speed. And for those of you who know my dad it was a miracle. We had been up for more than 36 hours and were really starting to become tired. We would sit down then have to stand up immediately before we fell asleep in the middle of the museum. Unfortunately van Gogh’s most famous “Starry Night” was not in the museum but was in New York. (Go figure. I would go to Amsterdam and my favorite painting would go to New York)

After getting our very heavy carry on bags and leaving the museum we decided we should get something to eat. We stopped at a small restaurant in a park and got some food. And it was food, but not quite edible. I got a hotdog. (mistake #1) Dad got a big boy burger. (mistake #2) My hotdog was about an inch longer than the bun and looked like it had been boiled over night then puffed up with hormones. Then we actually ate it (mistake #3). I left feeling a little sick, longing for something good to eat.

We arrived back at the train via bus. We just did not have the energy to walk all the way back to the train. Our bus driver was a trip! He was singing bass and cracking jokes in the microphone in several languages.

After getting to the train station we waited and waited for bus 13b to arrive. When it finally arrived, we got on and sat down. However about 15 seconds after a young American man had got on but thought we all had got on the wrong train for the airport. Dad got off to check. I was a tad worried that the door would close and we would be separated but he quickly got back on after confirming that it was the right bus after all.

Our half hour ride back was very interesting in talking to the guy from Colorado who had been in the Peace Core and was going to study for his masters in Oslo. I tried to fight the jealousy. Norway is a place I have always longed to travel to. We soon parted ways and began our next journey to the country of Turkey. Destination: Istanbul.

Ft. Worth Florida

I am feeling quite patriotic as I am sitting at the airport looking at hundreds of Air Force men and women carry their three to five bags to either the Delta or US Airways ticket counters. Being delayed from my flight that was to have left an hour ago I am almost pleased that I had to wait so I could witness this momentous occasion. (And of course this is a day that I did not wear red, white and blue.) Men and women of all shapes and sizes flooded the Ft. Walton airport having their individuality tested by wearing their Air Force issue uniform. Their personality shining through only in their demeanor. Some laughed and carried on, most likely not wanting to think of what the near future holds for them. Others solemnly kept their place in line with looks of nervousness and anxiety.

When moving through the line it was rather difficult for them to keep their bags separate from their fellow comrades. However they did not get upset when others moved their items. Rather they all lent a helping hand and worked together; being a true team that they need to be. No one seemed to be upset when they had to pull the load of someone else because that other person may be dealing with their Sergeant or other travel arrangements. It was a true team effort.

It reminded me of how beautiful life can be when you work as a team. With something as small as moving luggage and lending a hand to someone in need. Not only did they go an extra step but the extra mile. One man bought two waters and took one over to another soldier. Now who knows maybe he owed it but I could not help but think that it was pure generosity. Then another soldier bought a doughnut for himself and bought several others. He went through the crowds of soldiers asking if anyone wanted one. It really was the extra mile.

It brought a smile to face, challenged me to be more of a team player, to give without asking for anything in return and reminded me of how blessed I am not live in America. Where the flag is still flying and I am a free citizen. God bless America!