How Do You Say, "More Tea, Please?"

This morning before breakfast, Mary Margaret looked up the Turkish translation for "More tea, please." One cup is no longer enough for us. And for your information, the Turkish word for "tea" is "çay," which sounds like "chai." We have discovered that if you say it enough times, someone will figure it out and bring you some tea!

Sunday, we went to brunch with our friends, and it lasted 4 hours. Yes. 4 hours! In America, when you go to a restaurant, the waiter often gives the check with your food and expects you to pay and leave shortly after finishing. Not here. If you stay all day, they wouldn't mind. They expect you to! And they will keep the Turkish tea flowing. There have been multiple occasions where Mary Margaret and I have had to track our waiter down so we can pay our check! America, you really need to step it up when it comes to restaurant dining.

After brunch, we went to Miniaturk, which is basically miniature models of all of the famous sites in Turkey. Mary Margaret compares it to a putt-putt golf course without the golf. Seems kinda cheesy, but Mary Margaret and I really enjoyed it, because now we can say, "We have seen all there is to see in Turkey!"

Last night, we went to see a Turkish ballet, "Harem." My first ever ballet performance! Incredible. I was in awe of the talent and grace of each dancer. I can barely walk without falling (especially here on all of the old uneven cobblestone roads and sidewalks) let alone dance with such poise. Afterwards, we went to have dessert and tea next to the Bosphorus Strait. Rough night indeed.

Today, we went to the Istanbul Archeological Museum... see... educational. It has been a little rainy and cold here the past couple of days, but we are troopers!

We found fajitas in Istanbul!

Free eclairs and tea? Well, if you insist!

Sunday brunch spread

Eating Sunday brunch with Emine

 

 

 

Our brunch group

Practicing English with us (typical overly-animated Brooke face)

Reading Emine's fortune after she drank her Turkish coffee (a tradition in Turkey)

Miniaturk

Giant Brooke beside a mountain

Mary Margaret cheering at a futbol game.

Giant Mary Margaret beside the Blue Mosque

The Bosphorus Bridge at night

Mary Margaret and I with Emine in front of the Bosphorus Bridge

Pistachio Baklava: The reason my bridesmaid dresses won't fit when I get home (Sorry Mary Margaret and Kalee - it was worth it)

Dessert at Mado

Just some mosaic tiles that lined the entrance to Babylon. No big deal.

Mary Margaret and a statue of a king sculpted in 9th century B.C.

Our hearts are heavy with news of the tragedy in Boston. Praying for peace and comfort for all of those affected. Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Love,
Brooke