APRIL 21, 2009

APRIL 21, 2009 - Word of warning: this is LONG!
I just got word that my sister has 90% blockage in her left carotid artery—and will have surgery at Methodist Hospital Wednesday. Please be in prayer for her that all goes well. She will be in the hospital until Friday.

My internet has been out since before we left for Istanbul, so I am just now reading all the comments. Ashley—I am so happy to hear from you. I do pray all is well with you, and I am looking forward to seeing you and sharing some good talks this summer. And thanks Ronda for sharing the blog address with Glenn—I am so grateful for people who are reading and sharing this experience with me. I do miss my family and friends and life—and I do look forward to being home June 7.

Thank you wonderful Sunday School class! I got the package and had so much fun opening everything! You are just the best group of women—so fun and thoughtful and generous…I look forward to seeing you in June! They sent me a Tyler candle, a travel tin candle, soap, cashews, Animal Cookies, gum, poppycock, gummie fish, InTouch magazine, butterfly postits, hand sanitizer, tissues, Tootsie Roll pops, bubblegum, Starburst, strawberry twizzlers, showercap, salted peanuts, sunflower kernels, hand cream, Peeps and Ice Breakers! It is fun every time I look at all that stuff! Thank you!

Before I share my Istanbul experience with you, I have to tell you about the field trip we had on Thursday. We met at the school at 7:00—two groups: 7th, 8th, & 9th went to one place—and they had quite an experience. They were climbing up to these waterfalls when a torrential downpour came—along with hail! So they were all completely soaked—but the kids were just laughing and thinking that was okay! I was with the 10-12 graders and we went to a place called Canada Center. We went on chartered buses—Shane, Mustafa, Erin and I were with this group. The place has a large ice arena, a bowling alley, a huge, huge swimming pool (we did not swim), and a place to play pool…along with places to get snacks and eat. There is a large soccer field also. It was wonderful. Most of the kids had never ice skated before, so that was the most fun. They all had a smile on their faces from the time they got there until we got home. They were so so so much fun—laughing and cutting up together. I just love being with them. We had not one bit of trouble—which made the whole day just that much better. On the way home, I got to talk with one of the senior boys, Fayez. He is so mature and respectful and knowledgeable. Of course, the bus ride was almost 4 hours up and 4 hours home, so we all got to talk a lot! It was just great—one of my best days here.
We got home that evening about 7:00, and a group of 9 left at 8:00 for a trip to Petra—and in to Amman, Jordan. Austin, Katie, Mary, Adam, Trish, Erin, Shane, Sarah and their little girl Simone…all packed everything for a 4-day trip in a backpack and rode the bus to Elat. They had a great time—Mary said they rode donkeys up this incline—800+ steps…and when you looked over the edge, the deep ravine was right there…and the donkey went precariously close! I’m glad I wasn’t there—all of you know I’m way too big of a sissy for that! They got home about 4 Monday.

Wilma, Kristen and I had a really wonderful time in Istanbul, Turkey. We had an easy flight and stayed at the Crystal Hotel located in Taksim. We were close to Istiklal Street—and after we put our things in our room, we walked over to Taksim Square and then to Istiklal Street. Erin made us a travel guide that was absolutely wonderful.

I was really amazed at the city—the river, the old buildings, the sounds and smells were just like what I’ve seen in movies. We all really liked being there—it seemed so free and enjoyable. We walked at least one million miles by Monday, but it was so interesting everywhere that we didn’t mind. We stayed on Istiklal Street until pretty late Friday night—there was just a sea of people—and down the middle there is a trolley track—and cars, motorcycles, taxis, vans, etc. motor down there along with the trolley—there are shops and shops and shops—all kinds of Turkish items and other stores also. We bought Turkish Delight—it is very good. We ate delicious food at one of many places that had food that looked and smelled so wonderful—too much to describe… but not like any food I’ve ever had. We found the place that had “sliders”—wet hamburgers, but we didn’t eat them. There are vendors selling roasted chestnuts and roasted corn-on-the-cob…and breads, etc…all creating the most interesting smells.
Saturday morning after a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, we headed to the metro…even with Erin’s great directions, we were funny trying to figure out what kind of coin fit with what station! We went to the Blue Mosque—just so huge and beautiful beyond words. We were able to go in and take pictures—Kristen has a really good camera and got some really good pictures. The grounds all around the city are filled with beautiful flowers—we had many photo-ops because of the beauty of the flower gardens. There is a multitude of tulips of varied colors—just gorgeous. The city itself is very, very clean. We even saw a man with a huge vacuum attached to a truck vacuuming the bricks around Taksim Square—they are set in dirt, but they are kept so clean, you don’t know it. (I thought of my friends Dee and Sheliah—you would have loved seeing that man!) We walked from the Blue Mosque over to the Hagia Sophia—it is beautiful also. All of these places have such historical significance—and it is available on the internet, so I won’t write all about them. But the city itself was once Constantinople—and many events have occurred there. We walked down the street to the Basilica Cisterns—that was so interesting also…these cisterns were built by the Romans—but through the centuries, they were covered up and the city was built on top of them. In the last century, the people discovered they could knock a hole in the floors of their homes and find water and fish…so they excavated them. There are huge designed columns—and even two huge columns with medusas on them—one is on her side. It really is such an enigma. We ate at a restaurant across the street from the Basilica Cisterns—and sat on couches—outside…just so fun. The weather every day was absolutely beautiful. We got back on the tram and went 3 more stops to the GRAND BAZAAR! Imagine everything you’ve seen in movies—the vendors, the crowds, the lane between the booths, the sound of the little flutes—all of it. It was just like that—only add the smells of the seasoned foods and people beyond number. There is an outside bazaar and one inside—with rows and rows—jewelry, purses, & knock-off brands—I almost bought a big yellow Jimmy Chou bag for $50—but I didn’t! It was quite an experience.
We rode the tram to Eminon station and took a 2-hour ferry ride on the Bosphorous River—so very nice—seeing all the buildings and hotels and homes along the river. The architecture alone is simply fascinating—such a mixture.
After the ferry ride, we took a taxi to Ortakoy—an area full of shops and restaurants all right on the river. We had a wonderful meal—laughing and talking and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. One little bit of info JUST FOR MELISSA AND HOLLY: Napa Auto Parts: Ortakoy! We were out late that night, but up ready for Sunday!
We headed to Topkapi Palace and toured the grounds—I was reminded a bit of the castles Maegan and I visited in England—but this place is so huge and buildings so spread out. I really enjoyed the rooms with the jewels—an 86-carat diamond with 45 huge diamonds around it. It was discovered (1400’s?) in a rubbish heap—a street peddler found it and sold it to a jeweler—an argument erupted about it, so the Sultan was consulted—and it eventually was put on his turban and also for a ring. It seems each relic or place has an interesting history about it.
That afternoon, we took the tram to Cevahir—the largest shopping mall in Europe. We enjoyed seeing all the sights—an amusement park complete with a roller coaster is in it…along with floors of stores and eating places. We went in to every Starbucks we saw (and there are many all over the city—3 on Istiklal Street) to try to find a mug with Istanbul on it—but never did find one. Kristen came home early—but Wilma and I shopped until we were ready to drop!
Monday morning we packed and ventured out on Istiklal Street again to pick up some Beyoglu (bay-you-lu) chocolate—yummy…the travel bus picked us up at the hotel at 12:30—and the ride to the airport was very adventuresome! The bus actually knocked over a vending cart—a very erratic bus driver! We arrived home about 9:00—very grateful for a wonderful experience. Interestingly, on the sharoot we took to Jerusalem, we met 2 men from Michigan. One had been preaching in ORANGE, TX last week! At 3 churches—one was the Family Center--& he didn’t remember the names of the others.
I was blessed today to receive a great letter from Joyce Pedigo and a card from Betty Guidry--who had knee surgery Monday--please pray for her recuperation...and please remember to pray for my sister Sue, my friend Janet, my family and all of us here at Jerusalem School. Thank you for your love and words of encouragement.
Love
Beth