Hold on Tight or You Might Blow Away

This little adventure I'm part of is a mix of "lectures" and excursions.  The lectures are about Turkish history, culture, language and more.  They are short (yay!) and incredibly fascinating (double yay!).  I love history and since I know virtually nothing about the history of this region-- ehem, can we say US educational system fail-- it's all new information.  We were scheduled to be at the American embassy today but things have changed a bit due to the conflicts of last Friday that continue even as I type this (Istanbul news).  The seminars scheduled at the embassy have been swapped for a meeting room in the hotel and a Texan woman who's lived in Turkey for the past 40 years speaking/ranting about her views of Turkey....  It was kinda comical at first but clearly I've now tuned out.  I'll form my own opinions thank you very much.

It's very windy in Ankara today.  We're told this is uncommon.  I was expecting warm, humid weather which is what I packed for.  Okay, okay... what I over-packed for.  However, my over-packing addiction once again turns positive after three members of our group did not receive their luggage when we landed in Ankara.  My roommate for this leg of the trip, Sarah, is one of these unfortunate fellows but I have enough clothes for both of us to wear!  Truthfully, I have enough clothes for everyone in this hotel to wear.  ANYWAYS, our beautiful (and very western) hotel is right on the largest lake in Ankara.  I'm sitting on the third floor in their gorgeous dinning room with a panorama view of said lake and Ankara's rolling hills, surrounded by the other members of our group.  Outside the window waves roll in the unforeseen June wind as the large, red Turkish flag proudly represents its country.  A warm, serene feeling slowly glides through my insides and I smile to myself.

After the first lecture fiasco concludes, we head out.  First stop is the bank.  Since the exchange rate for Turkish lira is about 2:1 for dollars (not exactly, but really close) we all leave with wads of Turkish cash.  Fun!  For lunch we venture to a restaurant with a lovely view of the city and are treated to what can best be described as Turkish "pizza."  Lahmacun is DELICIOUS!  Gluten allergy be damned, you better believe I took down three "slices." 

Just when I thought my mouth couldn't be happier, dessert was served.  I didn't learn the name of this dessert because I was too busy shoveling it into my face.

The second session of lectures proves to be enlightening and I avidly take notes as our Turkish scholars  address US/Turkish relations past and present, the AK Party's ascension to power, and finally we practice speaking Turkish.  Tomorrow is packed full of jaunts to mausoleums, museums, and a castle.  I'm going to invent another word for happy because it just doesn't do my mood justice.