Yes, I eat ships... don't you?!

Today was project: get out and have some fun.

Challenge Accepted.

Emily (Michael's sister (abla) came with us.  She is too fun!

We went to a street where they sold jewlery, books (kitaplar), and spices.

I checked out some of the jewlery and bought a few little knick knacks for my brothers.

Michael thought it was funny that there were stars on the path "just like Hollywood!"

We all walked around, visted some stores and ended up, like always, at the sea.

:)

We listened to some live music (musik) and watched the sun (gunes) go down.

We also had some fun taking photos.

I'll write back soon!

Terrible Tourist

June 24th -

It has been a few days since I ventured out into the heat for more then a walk.  But today we finally decided that an adventure was needed.

We began by bowling.

To me, this is an adventure.

I have only gotten over 100 once in my life.

This is the sad truth.

The bowling here is the same although the balls were not smooth which (I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE) caused them to curve more then they should have.  I mean, how can I throw so many straight down the middle just to have them magically end up in the gutter just before they meet the pins?

Michael won.  He adds a "Woo-Hoo!" to that statement.

At least someone passed the 100 mark...

After bowling we got our favorite drink, lemonade poweraid, and made our way to the sea.

We sat on large rocks and enjoyed it whenever a random wave was able to splash enough to make a slight mist.

There are many people who try to sell things

it becomes quite irritating.

Any time we sit by the sea we are surrounded by women selling roses, complimenting Michaels "rose" (me) and when we say no (yok sal), about 6 times, they always stop and stare and click their tongues at us as if we came there that day planning to dissapoint them by not paying an outrageous amount for a single wilted rose.

This time we had a man (adam) who was selling kleenax...

while we were sitting he pushed himself in between Michael and myself and threw the tissues on my lap.

He apprently didn't realize that this was only going to make us upset.

I really don't understand why it's okay to do such a thing.  Besides, he looked much better fed and dressed then some of the people around him.

Rant over.

We decided to randomly hop on a ferry boat and head to the other side of Izmir, which I have never been to.

How fun!

There wasn't much to see on the other side and Michael's side was obviously nicer but there was a very busy street that was fun to walk down.  We ended up just walking around until we were tired and then we stopped for dinner at KFC... I'm a bad tourist (turist).

Once we were back on our side of Izmir, we stopped an got a soft serve ice cream cone.

Very nice evening over all.

We have begun making plans for a trip, as well!

Mustached Kediler

Michael had work this morning so we went out in the afternoon after it cooled down a little.

First stop, Alsancak (al-san-jak)

A famous street with never ending shops and restaurants!

I went there once before but it was nearly empty and most of the stores were closed since it was cold.

Today it was thriving!

(keep in mind also it was about 93 degrees today and look what everyone was wearing!)

I then could not resist shopping.  My wardrobe is seriously lacking pants since my shorts are considered too short for Izmir.  I bought an adorable pair of pants and a pretty tulle skirt! (looks like a tutu to me but very much in style!!) 

We went a little further till we came to the sea.  This was a photo that Michael took of a statue on the coast.

I don't know the history of this statue but it is very interesting to look at the scene.

Last time I was here, Emily, Moe, Michael and I went for a walk and saw a cat which I swore had a mustache.  I went back and took a picture of it to prove it and we all got a big kick out of it.

Today, while walking home, we found the same cat!  Look how prominent that mustache (biyik) is!  He is so distinguished! 

I have not seen any squirrels here but there are plenty of wild pigeons, cats (kedi) and dogs.  They all roam the streets and lounge wherever they please.

It's very hard not to go up to an adorable kitten or a puppy whose tail is wagging and pet them.

HOW CAN I RESIST IT?!

I just keep remembering that they are wild and could bite me if they saw reason.

But I can't help feeling bad.

Today Michael and I ate chicken so I brought the puppies (kopekler) the bones.

I hope they liked them and didn't take it personally that I cannot pet them.