Bursa

And so it begins! Now that I've finished this semester of sped. classes I took the opportunity to travel this weekend. First on the list was....BURSA!

We watched a football match, I went inside a mosque for the first time, and wandered around the bazaars. We ate. We walked. And I simply enjoyed experiencing Turkey. 

 wash your feet inside

  wash your feet outside

This was one of those restaurants that serves one thing and one thing only: Iskender Kebap. Meat over bread, tomato sauce, yogurt, and...melted butter! Below is the server pouring the butter on at the table! yummmm 

 

I loved getting out of Ankara for the weekend and getting to do what I really love. Bursa was beautiful and I can't wait to see more of Turkey!

Bitti

Done and done! This weekend I completed my first four classes towards my Sped. Certification. Two more and I'll be one step closer to the dream. Speaking of the dream, I just updated my DoDDS application because it is officially hiring season.

Saturday was another busy day at school, but this time it was for Council of International School training. It was a long day, but afterwards a good group of teachers all went out for dinner and I can't even begin to explain how nice it was just to relax and talk with some of the wonderful people I don't get to see very often. It was one of those moments that I looked around and was really happy with where I was. So many different people from all corners of the world and each of them bring so many different experiences to the table. We all looked over at the table next to us, and there was a group of Turkish children (seriously looked like some of them could've been 12) all drinking and smoking away. At first we were all horrified. It's unbelievable, and yet not surprising. This phrase has been getting a lot of use lately as I discover more about the Turkish culture and the school at which I'm working.

Without homework to worry about, at around 2:30 on Sunday I became sooooo bored! I can only sit on Pinterest for so long! I'm ready to get out and see more of Turkey!

Look who I found at the pet shop. I don't know... he's pretty cute! j/k

I just really get a kick out of how they really can't spell my name...ever! :)

Ankaragücü

Great week at work! Yay! I have the smartest preschoolers ever! I love them!

I did have to work Saturday morning...not happy about that one but don't worry, I didn't let it stop me from going out dancing on Friday night! It was great getting out of Bilkent and seeing some friends who I hadn't seen for a while. Saturday afternoon (after working...grr) Andrew and Brennan took me to my first football match! YAY! And what an experience that was. Take a look for yourself...

It was almost more fun to watch all of the Turkish men with funny haircuts jumping up and down, cheering, all with their arms all over each other than watching the game. Things were constantly being thrown onto the field, including little firework popper things! People in the stands had flares and at the end of the game, a few people had managed to climb the fence out onto the field. Definitely an experience! I feel like it was another taste of Turkey I had yet to try, and I loved it!