The End of Our Journey

BabaAna's favorite spot

It is always sad to say 'farewell'. To send us on our way home, the family stayed up most of the night just talking.  Gradually, each person fell asleep where they sat (some did manage to get to their homes).
 We were up at 5am for the hour drive to Izmir to catch our flight for Istanbul.  After getting to Istanbul, we found out our flight to the US was canceled until the next morning, and there were no hotel rooms available in Istanbul.  We ended up in a small town on Marmara Sea in a beautiful hotel.  Delta woke us up at 3 for our trip back to Istanbul airport.We finally arrived after 28 'awake' hours of traveling.

Aysa listens intently

What will I miss?  Of course the family. Even though it was 12 years since I last saw everyone, once you arrive, it is as if no time has passed, except the kids are grown! I relaxed and enjoyed the Turkish pace, which is slow and unexpecting. They don't expect things to be on time, they don't expect things to always work out, they just live through the experience and enjoy what they can. 

Minaver is thinking, 'you've got to be kidding'

Ibo full of mischief

Zeynep ready to get the tea

Fatima always laughing

The Turks are welcoming people and are excited that you are visiting their country. Our visit was made even more special by the experiences we had with individuals who went out of their way to help us have a great trip.  I'll miss dancing to Turkish music on the boat or on the street at family festivities...Eating everything from the rich yogurt, grilled peppers, Ramadan bread, kizartma with eggplant and yogurt, grilled fish, home made baklava, fresh figs, thirst quenching Efes beer,  turkish pizza (pida).....   and my new food love - Magnum double chocolate ice cream bars (which are not sold in the US).  I'll miss the casualness of getting ready for the day - no real prep required...the amazing turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea... how old things are...sunsets...walking everywhere..the exotic look and feel of Istanbul...and more and more.

But, we are happy to be home to our own wonderful beaches, Mark's great cooking (his Turkish food is even better than a lot of what we ate), our friends and my family.  Mark will always be torn between both countries and I plan to enjoy the opportunities to experience 'his' side as often as I can.