8/22/04

Today was very tiring but still fun. I woke up very early and got ready to go and then I listened to my CD player because Grandma gave me a new CD. She actually gave me two and Camille two. One of Camille's is a conference talk... Anyway, so I listened and waited for Camille and Nabby to wake up (we share a room). Camille woke up next and then finally Nabby (my point here being...?). We went upstairs and ate breakfast and then went to a site called The Harem (I'm thinking this was Topkapi Palace but I am not sure). My mom, Camille, and I had read a book about about it called "The Shadow Spinner." It was very interesting (the book I assume?). Then went to a whole bunch of little museums on things like the Sultan's clothing. He had a lot of clothes. Then we went a museum that had lots of things from Mohammed and Moses and Joseph. My dad was a little behind all of the rest of us (because he was more interested or something) so we went outside and looked around. It was pretty because they had a pond with sprinklers pouring into it. We waited for what seemed like a long time. Then we decided to go get my dad and so we looked for him and couldn't find him. The Parkinsons helped us look. Finally my mom  found him. Dad said he was looking for us too. We then went to museums with swords and guns and armor. The we went to a museum with mummies and carvings. Dad took a picture of Camille and I by a giant carving. I must admit, I was kind of grumpy by now. Then we went to another museum that had two parts, one had statues that looked like they were Roman (apparently I was paying close attention...), the other had coffins and things. Then we came back to the hotel and then Dad left with the Parkinsons to go see something. I took a nap. Then we went out to eat and got chicken pizza which was really good. We then went to the festival of culture and tourism and it was really cool because they lit up the Blue Mosque with different colors of light. We listened to a Turkish band. Then we came home and here I am! My hand is getting tired so I guess I'll write tomorrow. We are going on a boat. Bye!

Maren

8/21/04

On Wednesday night we slept at my grandparents' house because we had to be at the airport really early and they were taking us. We left for Salt Lake City at 4:30 am. We went through a lot of security. Soon we were on the plane heading for Chicago. It took about three hours to get there. Lifting off was my favorite part.

We got off of the airplane at about 12:00 pm and walked around the airport for awhile. They had pictures of families from different countries with everything they owned. It was really interesting to see the differences between the cultures. We also played Phase 10 while waiting for the next plane to arrive. We played it with the Parkinson's who are coming with us on the trip. Nabby is about 15 and her parents are friends with mine.

We got on the plane to London at about 5:30 pm and we stayed on it for a really really long time. I like English accents I decided. Then the next day we arrived in Turkey and got a ride to our hotel. We can't drink the water from the faucet here and hardly any water comes from the shower.

Today we did a little sight-seeing. We went to the Blue Mosque and the Haghia Sophia. They were amazing and beautiful. We ate some shwarma's (which are delicious) and then we went through a bazaar which is basically a place with lots of shops. Someone tried to sell us a rug and he took us back to his little shop and served us apple tea and showed us a wall full of pictures of happy customers with their new rugs. He was determined and it was kind of hilarious. We didn't buy one though.

So.

When I was 13 years old (2004) my family went on a study abroad to Alexandria, Egypt for my dad's work. It was an amazing experience and I am sad that I don't remember as much of it as I'd like to. I kept a journal while I was there but it's falling apart--the binding is completely gone so the pages are coming out. I decided to write down everything on a blog so I can have an easier time looking back at what I wrote about it.