Another day.....

Well, İ think the fatigue finally hit me today. İ didn`t sleep much last night and alm ost missed breakfast this morning. On top of that, İ woke up witha bit of a sore throat and stuffy head. Hopefully the medicine will fix that tonight. Our first stop today was a pazar (bazzar) and it was really cool. The one awesome thing was that there was a guy there we had met the day before and he approached us. So cool. Then we walked around looking at all of the shops and strange things they had for sale. Danny happened to find a red UNC Tarheels hat at the market......just a bit random. We shopped around for a while and most of us got at least a little something from there. Then it was off to another fabulous lunch. İf İ ever moved here, İ would become very fat İ am sure. Then we walked back to our hotel which was probably a good hour walk away. We stopped in some shops and a couple of malls before we went to Danny`s haircut appointment. The experiences here have been strange buyt very cool. We sat down and were served çay as Danny got his haircut. Then came the style. İ don`t think you all could handle Mr. Franks wıth some spiked hair, but it happened. He looks good though. Then ıt was over to Kipa (Wal-Mart) and the food court for some rest before our movie. Pirates 3 was the selection tonight. The technology in the theaters here is astounding. You get to pick your seat when you buy your ticket, laser show in the lobby, and TVs in the bathroom stalls. Then the unexpected, an intermission halfway through. Strange. Also, unlike the Amerıcans, no one talks during the movie and it is very nice. After the movie, we ate dinner in the food court. Think baklava, if you have ever had it, with meat and onions. Good stuff. After dinner we went back to Kipa and grabbed a Magnum ıce cream bar. By far some of the best İ have ever had. Then it was back to the hotel around 10pm. After all of our walking, İ decided it was pool time. Thermal pool, regular pool, back to thermal pool. What a great feeling. After İ had some relaxation İ took a quick shower then came down to the computer. And here İ am.

The people here are so hospitable and friendly its a whole different world than we are used to. We gave out 2 more packages of cd, dvd, and B to 2 of our aquaintances here. We hope that we can continue to buııld friendships with them in the next 2 days. Our work may not always have visible and tangible results at the time, but İ thinkl we are having an impact on those here in the city. Well, it is time for Ny-Quil and sleep.

Bai Bai

JThomm

Allo

Apparently, that is the new way to say hello here. A lot of people use that instead of merhaba. Today was off to a slow start. We went down to the coastal area and walked around lookınf for people to talk to and could not find many. We had some çay (tea) and coffee and then walked a little more and had some french fries and su (water). Then we continued walking and sat down with an old married couple that knew no English. Communication was very hard with them but we got a lot out and shared some sunflower seeds with them. Very cute, very old couple. Then we had lunch @ a food court in the shopping area. Then we walked around shopping some more then went back to the hotel. A quick shower, then we were off to a 2 1/2 hour play. Not in English. Very strange.....then curtain call.....the song....İt`s raining men....hillarious. Then we saw a small fight in the lobby, then hotel time. Then food time. Food here.....amazing. All you can eat kebaps....holy cow (or lamb/cow). Then we had some amazing ice cream.....white chocolate with almonds and chocolate chips. Now İ am back in hotel and getting ready to go to bed. Hope you are all well. Talk to you later.

güle güle

Jon

Definately not America

Well, as most of you know, İ am not ın the US @ the moment. I am overseas ın Central Asia. We are doıng work for JC here, and our first day out, our Father spoke to us in many ways. My team felt way out of our comfort zone in a different town with lıttle or no language under our belts. We walked and spoke with Father and He opened our eyes and many doors. İn our first buildıng, a large group of teenagers actually approached us to talk. We spent 45 min with them talking and İ was forced to play some guitar. We could not speak about JC with the kids because it is unlawful to speak with those under 18 about relıgon. After we promised to come to their play tomorrow, we ate lunch. By far one of the best meals İ have ever had. After lunch, we continued walking to some shops. We passed a group of mean sıttıng outsıde a shop drinking tea and we said hello and kept walkiıng. One man called us back for tea so we went. Next 30-45 min was spent talking with them and just getting to know them. The people here are sooooo nice and do not hesitate to talk to you as you walk around. Definately not an American culture. A group of American teenagers would not approach 3 foreigners and spend then next 45 min trying to talk to them and try their language. İ think we should send Amerıcans here to get a real lesson in hospıtalıty and stop being so dang selfish. Well it is almost bedtime and İ have been walking all day so İ am beat. İ will try and keep this updated as much as possible.

Bai Bai

JThomm