Blogs from Beşiktaş , Istanbul, Marmara, Turkey, Middle East

Preface: I've been wanting to go to Turkey for over a year, and I picked this past vacation to do it. My friend Sloan (a new teacher) and I flew to Turkey for 7 days, starting on October 25th. We spent our first few days in Istanbul and then flew to Cappadocia for 2 days. Then we went back to Istanbul for one more day before coming back to Budapest. Sometimes I've done real entries, sometimes I've done lists. I feel like my trip to Turkey can best be summarized in a series of moments. Make sure you look at the pictures at the bottom of the page too. Pretty psyched about them. -First of all, our flight attendant on our plane to Istanbul looked just like a young Vladimir Putin -That time when our plane ... read more

Merhaba blogcular! Yes I realize it has been a long time since I last wrote an entry, but never fear I am still alive! Since my last entry I have traveled Istanbul a "bit" more, mainly meaning Burc Beach, Kadakoy, Eminonu, and the streets surrounding Taksim Square. So without further ado, Burc Beach is located in Kilyos and is owned by Bogazici University making it beautifully free during weekdays with a student I.D. Two friends and I embarked early on a Tuesday morning to travel on the hour long bus ride to Kilyos. Now I would like to interject that I have never been to a legitimate beach such as one that is located at the shores of a sea or ocean. Kilyos is stationed on the shores of the Black Sea, and my first thought ... read more

This time on Darrah's adventures through Istanbul! So yesterday a group of my fellow summer term students and I decided to travel into the Old City so that they (practicing Muslims) could do Friday prayer at the Blue Mosque. To start the day however, I was awoken by the pitter patter of rain against my windows. Maybe it's just the mid-westerner in me but I say it was the best present I could have woken up to here in Turkey. The rain had stopped though when we left around noon as we took a bus, then the tram, to the Blue Mosque. Getting there was easy, getting inside was the same. After covering our heads and shoulders we entered onto the mosque grounds and made our way inside. I have to say that the Blue Mosque, ... read more

I've been asked why I haven't blogged in four days. The answer is quite simple really, I haven't done anything. Being here for "study abroad" means I still have school, class, and homework; and so do my roommates. Yesterday marked the first day of Ramadan and so now for the next 27 days quite a few of my friends will be fasting. It's really interesting to learn about their culture and Turkish culture through this. Being able to ask questions in an environment where people are willing to answer without assuming the "other religion" is wrong is so refreshing and allows me to learn so much more. With my friends fasting now, our biggest outings have been late dinners once their closing prayer is done. So being a food person, I wanted to try an actual ... read more

Today we had breakfast in Europe....Lunch in Asia....and Dinner back in Europe! :-))). We took a bus down to Besiktas And caught the ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul. It was a glorious sunny day with big white fluffy clouds in the sky....the views back to the shore along the coast were amazing. The Dolmabalce Palace, the Galata Tower, Topkai Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque ....all seen from a new prospective. We also passed the Leander's or Maiden's Tower ( Turkish Name ) an 18th century tower which has served as a lighthouse, a custom's control point and a maritime toll gate. Our docking point was Kadikoy which is 7th century and located near the Scutarion Palace which was the starting point of Byzantine trade Routes through Asia. We wandered ... read more