First week of July

We have been home from Cappadocia for about a week now.

Mission: go on adventures = slow go.

I have had terrible sinus pressure...pain.

We have gotten out a few times when it wasn't as hot.

HA!  Who am I kidding, it is always hot in Izmir!

I hear there is a drought at home...  we haven't had a drop of rain since I came here either.

I thought that I would be cooking a lot while I was here,

the problem is that most of the ingredients that I need, I have been unable to find them in stores...

Basil for one.  I love basil.

So the other day I had a major american junk food craving.

I needed pizza.

Last time I got pizza in Turkey, we got some from Dominos in Istanbul.

It.Was.Awful.

This time we again ordered Dominos, hoping that Izmir's restaurant would actually know how to peel an onion and not just throw the whole thing on the pizza.

Lucky me, the pizza was a success!!

It was delicious for an american dying for grease.

In the past week we have also managed to make our way the WHOLE 2 blocks to the fair area.

Hooray!

We went on the roller coaster, where they did NOT check seat belts or harnesses.  There was one tiny loop-de-loop on the ride so I was pretty concerned.

It was, without hesitation, the absolute WORST ride I have EVER been on.

You thought the Iron Wolf was bad?!  Try this ride that is over 15 years old and obviously has never had any maintenance testing done.

I thought my head was going to pop clear off my shoulders.

I'm just saying, I wouldn't be shocked if there have been several concussions.

Rant over, photo below.

After the painful ride, we decided to go on something more... calm.

We went in the fun house.  Let me just say, even after 5 years of haunt experience, I have never seen more... disgusting props.  Rooms were complete with naked women and molesting vampires... I won't continue.  Note: if you ever see a haunted house is Turkey (not likely, but still) do not go in.

We decided to save our last tickets... for later.  I wasn't really in the mood to go on more rides after that.

The following day, Michael and I went shopping at the bazaar.  I came home without any new clothes (sad face) but we did end up buying a toe nail clipper and some clay!

What great finds!

Yesterday, we began making marvelous creations out of the clay.  Michael worked hard on a decorative vase and I... worked on keeping the clay from sticking to my hands.

I did manage to make a little jar, or something, with a lid.  Also, a heart with a cicek (flower) on it for his mother, Anne.  She LOVES flowers.

That was my 4th of July!

Today I made dinner, chicken salad :)

Easy, delicious, and healthy. (no Cesar dressing in sight)

Michael and I then went on a date to see The Amazing Spiderman.

I give it 3.5/5 stars.  Not bad, I liked the actors, but Spiderman made me angry...  I kept saying "What a brat!  I want to smack him!"

Taxi home where we sat on the balcony, as always, and a HUGE moth flew in the house.  Adventures in trying to capture it with a dust pan....

pics later as I said.

Time for bed!

Goodnight!