Phillip and Rebecca Mefford

Seyahat Journey Newly married, no house payments, no children (yet), on summer break, and in a place where incredibly intresting historical locations are dotted throughout the country—this past summer was ripe for the exploring of Turkey, which we did as much as we could afford; and yet not without purpose: getting outside of the big city of İstanbul gave us a new perspective on what Turkish culture is really like, sans shopping malls and Starbucks, and gave us an excellent opportunity to try out our newly acquired language skills. Through our slew of experiences over the past months we are really growing to love Turkey, and with that come this conundrum: 1. How do we share our experiences of being in a new place with others without: a) Seeming like we are bragging, b) Boring others to death, and/or c) Giving the impression that the normal day-to-day doesn’t exist in our life 2. What is the best way to communicate our life to people—the adventures as well as the mundane? 3. To

Yayla High Mountain Meadow Flanking the northern edge of Turkey is the Black Sea. From balmy coastal fishing villages one can ascend the Kaçkar Mountains to discover small hidden villages and pockets of medieval ruins. This summer friends of ours invited us to travel along the Black Sea coast between the Turkish city of Trabzon and the Georgian border with them. Originally bird-watching had taken them up there, but they were drawn back again, wanting to share with us the lush beauty and diversity of the land. The slightly harrowing rides up steep, bumpy roads was worth it once we were met with the kindness of villagers of the high mountain meadows (yayla’s). For generations families have been following a routine of living down the mountain during frigid winters and going up the mountain in the summer to graze their cattle. Even those who have since moved to the larger cities still often return to these roots in the summer time. In several villages we were welcomed with tea, locall

Ada Island In general we feel like personable people—our parents raised us to know how to give a firm handshake and chat about the weather. Beyond making acquaintances, we also love to share our lives with the people who have become, and are becoming dear to us. Since moving away from the familiarity of our home in America, where everyone tends to follow the prescribed space-bubble rules, we’ve noticed that it is even easier to make fast-friends when in foreign country. Moving to a totally new country is like sailing to a deserted island. In this exciting albeit terrifyingly unknown adventure, to unexpectedly run into another explorer gives a sigh of relief. This person knows what it is like to leave the familiarity of the continent and navigate the newness of the island, just like you have done. There is often an instant bond. The ability to connect with other foreigners, especially for us Americans, in this way is a special aspect of life overseas that we would not wish away. Of co

Tur Tour One of the national holidays Atatürk instituted at the beginning stages of the Turkish Republic was Çocuk Bayramı, or Children’s Day-- a gift to the children, in light of his optimism for the future generations of Turks. Since our school did not hold class on Children’s Day, the administration decided to give us a gift: a tour of İstanbul. Those of us who opted to go loaded into two large busses and headed out for three main locations: Eyüp Sultan Camii -- an immense graveyard, and most notably where Eyüp Ensari’s, the standard bearer of the Prophet Mohammed, mausoleum is built. This mausoleum is decorated with İznik tile. Also, the stylistic beauty of many old Ottoman headstones can be seen as you walk up the hill to Pierre Loti Café where one can admire a view of the Golden Horn while drinking tea in the same spot that the tragic French naval officer (Pierre, himself) frequented to think and write about the Turkish woman he had fallen in love with. Anadolu Kavağı -- Nort