So now that we have gotten a little more settled here in Istanbul I noticed some things. The first thing is that I am going to need to know more than "thank you" in turkish to love for the next few months. I am trying to get used to public transportation. There is nothing better than having 30 people in a minibus that is only meant to seat 15. I dont really mind the bus, metrobus, or trams though. It never gets super cold here but it also never really warms up during the day. Most days the high and low are only a few degrees apart.
I must say that my mind has been settled on the food, which was one thing I was most worried about. The food here is delicious. It is generally pretty cheap and really just wonderful. The have a drink called ayran ( pronounced I-ron) that is the drink of choice for locals and not for me. I compare it to a melted yogurt and salt water mixture. Apparently it is an aquired taste but I dont know if I will be able to drink it enough to aquire the taste. My roommates are all awesome and we are really excited to lift up our team and see what He has planned for us. We start practice this coming Tuesday and have four days of local language tutor Monday-Thursday. I think that will help us being able to get about on our own a ton, as well as help satisfy some curiosity. I really want to learn this language for some reason. I find that a really odd sensation but its true. Maybe I can pick up enough to at least know what a restuarant menu says.
Just to forewarn you, my next post will probably be a photo dump.
