My Three Main Food Groups

Not going to sugar coat it, the first half of the day started off rough. We had to wake up at 4am to catch a plane to Izmir that flew out at 7am. We were all exhausted. Thankfully the fight is only 45 minutes. So that flight beats a ten hour bus ride to Kusadasi.

Instead of going to the hotel we immediately started touring. The first place we went to was the Temple of St. John. The thing with Kusadasi is it's very similar looking to Utah mountains and California valleys. And very hot. My sunscreen was packed in my checked bag, so I didn't have it. Luckily Sister Money lent me one of the family's umbrellas. I'm so grateful for that umbrella or else I'd be turned into a crisp. St. John was neat, apparently he is buried there still.

We then drove to the Virgin Mary' s house. This was my favorite of the day. It was very sacred and beautiful. I lit a candle, washed my hands in the holy water, and asked for a blessing on the wall. I actually asked for two blessings (a little selfish, I know) and one of the blessings I asked for has already happened! I feel very blessed.

Next was this leather shop we stopped at. They showed us a fashion show of their leather. Yes folks, a really fashion show with the runway, lights, and scandalous un-zipping of jackets. Ha ha our director was a little nervous. But it was more hilarious than scandalous. They actually served us a free lunch, which was not good for my stomach. I actually felt like throwing up the rest of the afternoon. Luckily the International Study Abroad director is here and she gave me some alka-seltzer for my stomach. The leather shop was really expensive so no one bought anything.

Next we went to Apollo's temple. It wasn't that impressive because all that's left of it is a giant pillar. It was hot and I felt like throwing up, so not a good mix.

We finally checked into our hotel. I just went to the beach and swam in the Aegean Sea which is part of the Mediterranean Sea.

I then went around shopping with a girl named Kyra. I got new sunglasses. Sad story, this one street vendor told me I couldn't afford his shop's glasses (they were exactly the same as the one where I bough my new glasses). I told him to try me and he gave me the look down and said, "Nope, you couldn't afford them." It was incredibly rude. (This conversation went on for five minutes). Uh, yeah buddy, I can probably afford your stupid glasses triple the price, and maybe your entire shopping shack. I just don't want to buy it. Big difference. I've never felt so judged in my life.

The Turks were very forward this shopping trip. One of them taught us a bad word. Thankfully another Turk told us not to say it. Sheesh. We also had one guy ask us out to dinner, before dinner, and tomorrow. He was very persistent when we told him no all times. Ha ha.

We also went swimming in the hotel's pool. We met the cutest little girls named Tucci and Elaem (sp?). They spoke little English, but we played with them and they loved it! They told us we were all beautiful. I wanted to take her in my carry-on.

I was particularly excited when I saw dinner. After my recent experience with lunch. They had PASTA and POTATOES. As my mother would say, those are two of my three main food groups (the third being cheese, and I don't like the cheese here). Let's just say that I finally had a full stomach.

Well we have another early day tomorrow hopefully I remembered everything today.






The view from our hotel.

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Location:Izmir and Kusadasi