Final Day in Turkey

So this is our last night in Turkey, and I think everyone is ready to leave the land of kebabs and move on to the wonderful world of pizza, pasta, and gelato. I have really enjoyed Istanbul. It is so different from anything I have ever experienced (in a good way). It was definitely something I never would have thought to do on my own, but I am so glad I got to come here.

Today we got to go on a cruise down the Bosphorous Strait, which separates the European side of Istanbul from the Asian side. The other day we got to actually cross over and spend some time at a university on the Asian side, so that was pretty cool! I can actually say I have been to three continents in the last five days. We also got to go the Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar, which are two of the oldest markets in the modern world (we´re talking like the 16th century). There were a lot touristy things that you would expect from a market like that, but there were a lot of surprisingly expensive things, like rings for 4000 lira and Arabian carpets for 2000. And it was a cool experience that you pretty much can´t get anywhere else.

Tonight there is a HUGE football (or for all you uncultured Americans out there, soccer) game tonight between Russia and Germany, and the entire city has been crazy all day. There are tv screen set up on a ton of the buildings, and everyone is wearing some kind of jersey. They told us not to go out late tonight because they take their football VERY seriously. And I thought drunk fraternity guys at UGA really hated the Florida Gators...

Tomorrow we are flying to Venice and from there taking a train to Verona. This part of the trip has seemed so far away for so long, and it´s finally here! Verona is definitely a much smaller town than Istanbul, so it will be an interesting contrast. We have an orientation about our classes and such on Friday, and then we actually start classes on Monday. Being in class from 8-12:45 Monday-Thursday = not my idea of a vacation. But it will be worth it!

Thanks for reading these. I´ve been reading the blogs of some of the other people on the trip, and theirs are SO much funnier than mine! But I know you love me, so thanks for still reading mine! You know I love you and miss you all! Stay tuned for my exploits in Italy!

Arleta