The start of our journey with Paul

9/26/11

After waking up at 6am we got on the bus and headed out to Derbe.  After hours in the car we finally came across the town where Paul the Apostle taught.  (this being in Acts 14 and also Galatians 3 and 6)  It was nothing too exciting to look at but a very unique experience to be at.

After about 30 minutes of climbing the mound we headed out towards Konya to a museum dedicated to the Whirling Dewich.  It was an old mosque turned into a museum.

Overall it was a very long and tiring day of driving...and again tomorrow...yay!

**sorry not a whole lot happened today!**

Naked Butts!

9/25/11

Today we stayed in the region of Cappadocia.  We started off at these rock houses.  They were houses carved out of giant rock formations.  Entire cities lived within the rocks.  They had churches, houses, and even places to raise animals.  They were very unique and something that just took your breath away.  These houses and rock formations went for probably about an entire square mile at least.

After this we headed out to a precious stone and rock factory where they made jewelry and vases out of these precious rocks and stones.  They were all very beautiful but nothing overly unique to the area except the special color of turquoise special to the turkish land.  Then we headed out for some lunch and I'm not going to lie I'm getting a little tired of the turkish food.  Then after lunch we headed to one of the largest underground cities in the world.  It held over 60,000 people and had 15 stories all underground.  It was so beyond incredible the churches and kitchen and even air ducts they were able to build underground!  

Then we headed to a carpet farm where they made tons and tons of handmade carpets which ship all around the world.  The intricate designs they were able to make were unreal.  

After the carpet farm we headed to where they filmed the 4th Star Wars movie.  It was large rocks on top of other rocks.  The best part of this for me was being able to hike and just get some fresh air and walking around.  

Soon after this most of us headed out for an authentic turkish bath.  Now when they described they explained it as a massage and a facial for $30.  And of course most of the girls were in instantly.  Once we got their we all got in small SMALL towels barley covering our butts.  They then put a clay mask on our faces and then headed us out to the sauna.  Unbeknownst to us the sauna was also located in the massage room.  Now as we walked in their was a large rock in the center of the room with 7 women giving the massages with 7 girls laying on the rock...butt naked.  The expression on some of these girls faces were priceless.  Imagine 30+ innocent mormon girls walking in and seeing random naked people getting massages.  It was pretty strange.  Then we headed into the sauna which faced the massage table perfectly...a little too perfectly.  Eventually we all came out of the sauna and sat on the benches which circled around the table waiting for our turns.  Girl after girl had to get naked in front of one another and be massaged.  During the massage they scrubbed the dead skin off then put bubbles all over you and rubbed it in.  The actual massage and facial was very relaxing and enjoyable minus the naked girls around you.  After the massage you had the option to go skinny dipping in the pool before taking a shower and heading out to dry off and drink some turkish apple tea.  Over all the experience was one i will NEVER forget and i bonded with these girls so much during our turkish bath it was unreal.  By far the funniest thing we have done all week!

Venessa Seramik

9/24/11

Today was another day full of adventure and bus!  We started off the morning visiting the Anadolu Museum.  This was just another museum to me I'm sorry to admit.  We did have some fun taking lots of pictures around the outside of the building however. 

After about an hour at the museum it was time to head to our next destination.  The memorial and museum of Ataturk which was Turkeys hero who lead them to democracy.  Basically he was our George Washington.  Ataturk died in the mid-sixties so the memorial is fairly new.  The grounds were so incredible as well as the structure itself.  They had many guards monitoring the building.  These guards reminded me of the guards in front of Buckingham Palace because of the composure they carry with them at all times.  Naturally we had to get pictures with the guards and were more interested in the surrounding grounds than the actual grave and museum.

And then we were off as fast as we arrived, well an hour or so later anyways.  Our bus ride to lunch was by far the most interesting one yet.  Although they have all been entertaining this one was very fun.  We all decided to have a dance party in the aisle while we were still moving.  It was beyond fun and we were all just laughing and dancing and having a great time.  Then we stopped for lunch at a gas station.  And i know what your thinking but Turkish gas stations are NOTHING like ours in the states.  They have fresh fruit stands, candy stands, coffee shop, full service restaurant (similar to 4-5 star restaurant), fast food restaurant (similar to our "full service"), and a dried fruit and nut stand.  We all ate at the "fast food" shop which is more like easy to make meals such as lamb burgers, cheese toast (grilled cheese with feta), sausage toast, and pancakes (cheese crispish like).  We ate in the gardens which had short tables and pillows to sit on.  It was very fun!  After lunch we were back on the bus for awhile as we drove to the region of Cappadocia.  Once we arrived we went to a pottery making shop called Venessa Seramik.  HOLY COW were these beautiful.  Hand painted and Handmade works of true art!  We were able to see the entire process and watch them paint the pots.  They were so beyond amazing!  

After nearly everyone purchased something we headed to our hotel.  Me and Christina (my current roommate) decided to try to wash our clothes and boy was that an adventure.  Tub party!

After we rushed to get those clean we headed to the Whirling Dewich which is a ceremony from the Muslim people.  It was very incredible to watch them preform for their God.  Tired and ready for bed we all headed back to the hotel!

  After we rushed to get those clean we headed to the Whirling Dewich which is a ceremony from the Muslim people.  It was very incredible to watch them preform for their God.  Tired and ready for bed we all headed back to the hotel!

Off to Ankara

9/23/11

Sorry about the lack of posting! No Internet!

Today has been such a long driving day!  We woke up and had to leave by 715 to get out of Istanbul before rush hour traffic.  The first leg of our journey was by far my favorite.  We drove to the end of town and then about 2 hours into the ride we got on a ferry on the Sea of Marmora to continue on our way.

Then another hour or so later we stopped in Iznik to visit the St. Sophia Church.  I know what your thinking you already went to the St. Sophia but don’t you worry this was very very different for the last one.  This was a very small ancient church which was in ruins but very beautiful because of this.  The St. Sophia church was famous because of the Nicene Creed, which was discussed there.

Ataturk

Following the stop we got back on the bus for a while and about 2 hours later we stopped for lunch at a Turkish mall for some lunch.  Eventually we finally got to Ankara after about 11 ½ hours on the bus.  It felt like ages but we made it!  Then a bunch of us just goofed off and walked around the city to see the fun sites!

The Grand Bizarre

9/22/11

Today was our last day in Istanbul and it was definitely the best one yet!  However I have a feeling I will be saying that a lot.  Today we woke up and we went out to the Spice Market.  It was very fun to see all the different options they had to buy.  Vendor after vendor had piles of spices from different places and for different purposes.  It was very fun to walk around and see the things they were selling as well as spices such as fresh meat, fresh fish, and Turkish Delights (which are not as good as Chronicles of Narnia makes them out to be!)

Spice Market entrance

a little shop set up

the spice assortment

Me, Maddie, and Rebekah

nasty smelling fish!

After the spice market we went out for a cruise on the Bosporus Strait.  It took us through the Golden Horn then down onto the strait so we were able to see both continents!  It was so beautiful out and at the right time of day as well!

After the cruise we headed to the much anticipate The Grand Bizarre.  It was incredible!  It held over 4200 stores within with people selling everything under the moon!  I held out and only bought 4 things 2 gifts; one for Justin and one for my momma; and then two things for me, one being jasmine-esk pants and the other a burberry scarf!  This place made Istanbul so unique and exciting!  Truly a must see before you die location!

After a long night with some fun in our new pants it is off to bed!  Early morning tomorrow!  Off to a new destination in Turkey!