Turkey!

Turkey was so different. I wasn't sure what to expect being in a Muslim country. I made sure I was very modest and kept quiet to get a feel for what was appropriate as a woman in this country. I soon learned, that while there was still traditionally dressed Muslim women it is a very modern Muslim country with many cultures. I still felt careful as to trust anyone here. We learned there is a rug mophia here, okay, that is my interpretation of their conspiracy to get you to buy rugs. From the private tour guide to the taxi guy-they work with those that own the rug markets to trap tourists into buying their expensive rugs. We were in a room full of these guys-just the four of us and my poor mother-in-law was the focus of these men. As kind as they were we felt very unsafe and we were trying to figure out how to get out of there. Thank heavens for a dramatic Chinese lady shouting "where is the cheap stuff? You said this was cheap in here?" That she was a distraction and we bailed out of there. But we had fun seeing the Haga Sophia and the Blue Mosk. They have gorgeous tile work and it was neat to see that. I do have to say, the spirit is not present in there at all. Just an Erie feeling. We had fun at the Grand Bizarre and to realize that has probably been the center for trade for thousands of years is pretty amazing. It was fun to buy stuff here where it is a lot cheaper and to Haggle. Trevor did the Haggling. He just offered them 1/8 the price and made them come down to what he wanted them to sell it for. So really he didn't haggle but I like his style. We loved the Turkish Delight. Mildly sweet jellies. We bought some in bulk and learned it is rather addicting. So I wanted to buy my kids a box of it and when we brought it home for them to taste it was way sweeter than the recipe we had in Turkey. So we missed it. We stopped to have lunch and had a Turkish gyro. They put marinated meat on a Kabob and it rotates to stay warm. They slice it off and serve it with vegetables and warm soft pitas. Trevor still talks about how good the food is and gave me a challenge to mimick it here.
Ephesus was neat. It is amazing to stand somewhere and realize that is where Paul preached the gospel. To see history brings it to life. It was amazing to have been in Mother Mary's home. We just feel so privileged to have had this chance to go to these countries and to see such historical sights. It was a lot of fun spending time with Steven and Cindy and make memories. We will be forever grateful that we had this once in a lifetime chance.