what a surprise Malva told me that you moved to Turkey--what a great choice!! If I wasn't Greek (and wanting for my family to speak to me) I would move there myself. It's a beautiful country with so many fantastic Greek ruins. This is a great blog and I will visit it often.
In case you didn't know, we go to Greece every summer in a small village called Kanali, 10 minutes from the town of Preveza, in the Northwest. It's beautiful up there and not very touristy at all. We build a small house with my brother and his family leaving next door. This will be our retirement place. We would eventually spend our time there from March to November. We haven't figure it out yet where we will be from December to March--it will depend on the kids.. It is great to see your pictures--you all look wonderfully relaxed..
Take care and lots of hugs(as we do in Greece), Fotini
wrong email the comment I just sent has the wrong email I just realized - it was some weird combination of my work and home email because there are 2 bickering children behind me. Laurie
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I love reading the blog - thanks for including me! All is well in Seattle if you love to work on never-ending, never decided transportation issues. I continue to work ORCA and Ron continues to plan LINK.
I just wanted to let you know that I have a friend who has become quite interested in traveling in Turkey in June and has asked us to go with her - she and her husband are Maia's godparents, and she was my very first friend in Seattle when I came in 1974. Her daughter is my goddaughter who just gave birth to a baby boy last week! SO I am a grand-godmother or god-grandmother or something like that.
Anyway I will keep you posted. My friend wants to rent a sailbot and hop the coast. Ron gets very sea-sick so that probably won't work for him, but we are trying to come to some agreement. I will let you know what we work out. Is there any chance that the Tunisia/Egypt unrest will spread to Turkey? TAke care, Laurie
Hi Carol & Bill,
Thanks for your periodic blogs. Between the stories and pictures, I almost feel like I'm there. What an exciting adventure you're on. And you're really making it your home, as you build lasting friendships. As much as you miss us back home, you will miss them when you leave there.
I recently got back from 2 weeks in Thailand. What a lovely place and with the kindest people I've ever met. I had a lovely time, but after 48 hours of no sleep and severe jet lag, I got a bad virus that I've been fighting for almost 2 weeks. Oh, well, this too shall pass. I'm beginning to think about my next adventure. I'm thinking either New Zealand or Costa Rica. I would love to find a partner to travel the world with. I'm still doing the online dating thing and am having fun this time. As long as I'm having fun, the rest will happen....or it won't. Either way, I'll keep traveling...
Lauren
keep the blogs coming! I so enjoy your travel blog, and Carol, your signature (with Bill by my side, as always) was just heartwarming. How lucky we are to have found our soul-mates and travel-mates too.
I loved the story of the lamp and the red underwear picture too.
Looking forward to the next installment. Meanwhile, Happy New Year!
Connie
Happy New Year! Carol and Bill, your blogs are extraordinary! Thank you so much for taking the time to put all this together, so that we can share your adventure, albeit vicariously.
Happy New Year to You Too!!! What a marvelous delight to have just read your last 2 entries--we continue to be amazed at the many people, places, and events that have filled your adventure already. Your photos are beautiful and we linger on each one. December flew by for us as we prepared to have our "this-is-our-Christmas-to have-everyone." We had 19 people sleeping here and all 5 big dogs--it was great. Myra June's 2 year old and Alyssa's 2 year old were the biggest challenge--not really good playmates most of the time. 7 grandchildren and #8 due the end of March--Derek and Amy's first--gender to be a surprise. Of course we would like a girl as Myra's 6 year old Maryn is our only granddaughter but then Derek also says he is the only one to carry on the Hrubes name--safe arrival and healthy is our prayer. Our big celebration the day after Christmas came because Justin proposed to Melody and gave her a lovely ring. No plans soon as she is in 2nd year of residency in Chicago and he has been working this last year as a lawyer in Atlanta. Mother is doing quite well--we have such bittersweet feelings as the Bristol Road house sold and closed the first week in December--they built that the summer I started 6th grade. But Mother is in a lovely one bedroom apt. in a very pleasant assisted living complex just a few blocks from Eric Todd. He is there almost every day and brings one of his little granddaughters frequently. His string quartet is very busy and since the Brazos Chamber Orchestra performs nearby, I was able to take her to the fall concert when I was there in late October and Jamie took her to the Christmas one. Todd played Silent Night cello solo with orchestra and choir accompaniment--thrilled Mother! We did not have a white Christmas here in Montrose but snow and very cold temp came by New Years. Our house has been on the market since June 1 with not one inquiry--we have to sell as none of our land is selling. Myra's husband Rick lost his bank job of 14 years in October (his bank doing fine but corporate not so they made cuts). So we have grave concerns about many people and families but we are so very grateful that both of us and our families are in good health--my mind can't quite realize even yet that Al turned 70 in August--how much we would love to come have an adventure with you! Continue your wonderful travelogs and our love to you this 2011.
Fun! Hi Carol & Bill
Thanks so much for the update on your adventures! We love reading about them! If we were really adventurous we'd talk about coming to visit you.
Jennie
HNY right back at you! Thanks for sharing you delightfully chaotic (no plan X) lifestyle and experiences with us! It is a thrill to enjoy it all in a virtual fashion. I look forward to hearing yet more. Take care! Rick
Happy New Year to you two/too! Dear Carol and Bill,
I LOVE your periodic letters and photos. It's no doubt a bit of trouble to put them all together, but you sure are educating and entertaining a great many folks in a wonderful way! You make me yearn to kick the traces . . .
We are well in Seattle. Tristan is having a better year than average, loved being on a soccer team with other nine-year-old boys and a great coach, is striving to make friends (will go to 1.5-hour weekly sessions at Wally's Club next year where ADHD kids are taught social
skills and emotional literacy), is finally reading easily, and has his own personal counselor through the Ryther Child Center. Cameron is doing very well in school, entertains people casually after church playing the piano (but can I get him to PRACTICE?), has a 15-year-old mouth on him that I could do without, and loves life. His occasional party includes all the church youth group as well as some school kids. My daughter visited for two weeks in Dec. and both boys loved that; they have also slipped more comfortably than usual back into the routine of Grandma care after her departure. I'm counting my blessings.
I believe Heather Lynn Hansen is doing a good job at church, as is Ben Tompkins and the rest of the board. There is a lot of energy, and a number of new people and kids have come along. Perhaps no more than usual but good to see.
We miss you very much! But it's worth it to get these great letters from you. Stay healthy, whatever else you do.
Love,
Carolyn
Salt Lake City Great to read this blog. I'm glad you're enjoying the volunteering but wondered if you had pursued the English teaching at a local university. Like you, I am ambivalent about "working" at this point in life. I enjoy the work (if there's not too much of it) and the extra money is fine, of course, but I'm always wondering if I shouldn't be out enjoying myself while my health and mobility are still good.
Great the Ted was able to visit. I'm sure that adds to the memories.
We had ham too! And proscito! Went to Denver for the holidays and had the whole fam-damily came to our old house. I did all the cooking. It was great for everyone.
I find myself envying you! Sounds like you are having a great time and seeing lots. The story aboaut the lamp was charming. I'm going to Denver this weekend. Have met a female of the species and we seem to connect very nicely. We'll see. Who knows I may wind up moving back to Devner...which would not be a bad thing.
Love,
Rich
great blog Thanks so much, Carol, for the delightful news of Turkey, Ted, your full lives, and all. I took Sylvia's grandsons skiing, and am playing lots of tennis and go. And trying to figure out how to promote direct democracy (not doing well on this front).
Looking forward to your next blog
Happy New Year Thanks, as usual, for the update. And Happy New Year to you!!! Just in case you are interested, the fireworks at the Space Needle were probably the best I have ever seen. We watched them from home with our good friends Ted and John. I think we were just lucky to stay up past midnight!! Today is my second day of retirement. Yes, I retired at the end of the year. Feels great so far. The dogs are sure happy. Not so sure about Eileen. Just kidding. She has been very sweet and supportive. Thanks for sending all of the pictures. It looks fascinating and it is piqueing (sp) our desire to come see you. Be safe. Be adventuresome. Be happy.
Blessings,
Cindy, Eileen, Seda and George
Your literate and interesting blog arrived this morning exciting envy on my part. What a grand time you are having! And thanks so much for sharing with us We've just had one of those wonderfully sunny and cold January weeks; it makes walking such
fun, everybody is out striding around the lake. I had a wonderful Christmas season featuring lots of music and family event. Sunday we finished up by going to the Panto, a new experience for me. It was wonderfully funny and disrespectful, "Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Pigs", featuring a sexy wolf and a wanton Grandma. I worked in the garden a bit, long enough to note the perennials are beginning to stir, getting ready for spring. Cheers, Molly Holmes
Hooray Finally, I figured out how to sign up for your blog so that I will receive entries in the future. I've been looking at your photos and they are so good! Thank you for a fabulous time in Antalya!!!
slippery slopes I love the theme of balance. Let me know when you figure out what is in balance!! I certainly admire your quest for balance between commitments and playtime. It is always a challenge for me too. "Balance" was the theme for my sermon in Boston, presented to the MFC interview group. that went well, but other things did not go well. I am now balancing my thoughts on "what is required. what do I have to do" with "what do I love? what nurtures me? where is my passion? I have several more years to figure out if I want to return again to Boston. In the meantime, between reflection and gratification, I imagine all sorts of wonderful things, including inspiring travel, as you two have chosen. I love your blog, your personal photos, and your comments on life with new experiences. Warmly and thankfully.....susan
great Looks and sounds like Slovenia was a dream. Does look more like the pictures of Europe. I think of Turkey as more asian. Glad you are back though. You are really getting to where you " terazi araniz lazim" and you are doing a great job of it.
Slovenia Charming. Had never seen pictures, let alone been there. We were close, though, in Austria. Sounds like a much needed break from summer in Turkey, and quite lovely in its own right. We have been in Seattle lately, enjoying Liam and parents.
Lovely Ljub Hi Carol and Bill, I love your blog . . . for the update on your lives and the surrogate travel experience. I used to take photos of the day-to-day signage that struck me, like the electic charging station. I was in Ljubljana years ago, I think 22. I remember the beautiful old town. I had a nice meal near the train station with an interesting white wine (probably would have tasted better, if I weren't on a student budget). From there, I took a train all the way to Belgium. My Eurrail pass was about to expire. I clearly remember the conductor laughing at me, when I asked where I could find the first class car. Alas, a smokey second class night ride, sitting on my luggage in the aisle, all the way Vienna. Would love to see Slovenia again (or really the first time, as those were the Yugoslavian days).
Beautiful The pictures and descriptions were beautiful. A real jolt for me even living and hiking every week in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Hey, I understand the 9 hr sleep! I'm struggling with the same tradeoffs. Semi retirement is beginning to agree with me....danger zone!
Rich
What a treat! Carol and Bill,
Thank you for sending news of your journey and giving us new horizons to visit. I've heard that Slovenia was a great find, but is great to hear from you and see the pictures of such lovely places. Keep balancing your time and experiences, remember life is short and you may as well have fun.
Cheers! John and Elsie
Balance is Best Carol and Bill,
Your fling sounds wonderful and respite from the heat. Slovenia is beautiful and now I have to add another country to my list! I am so glad tht you are making a life and building community, although I would have expected exactly this! You are both so charming, smart and fun that you will attract others where ever you go!
Eileen
Carol and I have moved to Antalya, Turkey where we will be living for two years. We wanted to live in another culture, learn Turkish, possibly teach some English and enjoy a beautiful place and friendly and welcoming people. We would like to experience Turkey as people who live here rather than as tourists, passing through.... full info
Bill and Carol
Bill and Carol
It's an honor!
Hello Mell: thanks for the comment! We greatly appreciate your ongoing support. Bill and Carol