7 days out

Well, one week out. Today is my last day of substantive work, and it feels nice.I think that I've done substantive and valuable work, I've learned a lot, and I've had a good summer break.  However, I am definitely ready to be home, even if it is only for a few days.

Tomorrow I'll be taking off, going east on an overnight train.  It should be an experience.  I'll be in Kars for those of you interested.  I'm going to see the ancient city of Ani on the Turkey-Armenia border.  Check out the links below:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1152&bih=773&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=ani%2C+turkey&btnG=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ani

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kars,+Ocakl%C4%B1+K%C3%B6y%C3%BC,+Ocakl%C4%B1,+Turkey&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl&authuser=0

Goodbye 87/7 Bardacık Sokağı, Küçük Esat, Ankara, Türkiye!

Well a momentous life milestone has passed. I have moved out of my first apartment! It's bitter sweet. I had fun living on my own, even if the water heater went out a few times while I was trying to shower. 

Bt this points to another set of events coming up. I'm leaving Ankara on Wednesday! Yikes! Summer has flown, and I feel like I haven't been here three months. But I guess I have. 

I'm going to be taking an over night trip to the Far East of Turkey to the city of Kars. I'll be touring the ancient Armenian Capitol of Ani which is fit on the border before I fly to İstanbul. The train is something I've been really looking forward to. I have a ticket for a one person sleeper compartment. The train goes along the Euphrates river for 10 hours, and it's supposed to be beautiful. I'll try and be a bit productive on the train, but mainly this is just my last big trip in turkey, and I'm looking forward to it. 

Count down: 8 days

Fourth of July abroad

I think that anyone who has spent a significant amount of time abroad will be able to relate to this post. I find that when I'm abroad, several of my belief structures are strengthened, including senses of patriotism. 

This last week has seen the anniversary of US independence, and I have to say that this year's was particularly memorable for me. Being in a foreign country during your national day is surreal. It's a completely normal day, and you can forget what the day is if you're not intentional about it. 

In Turkey this year, I'm living in a relatively small expat community; and we celebrated as a community together. On the third, we had the official celebration at the ambassador's residence where we had maybe 3000 guests! Then on the fourth, maybe 75 employees and families as well as the embassy's marine guards celebrated together with a family style barbeque. Can I just say that BBQ pulled pork topped with bacon is wonderful? Hahah! We played flag football, ultimate frisbee, ate, had some beers, and enjoyed celebrating the fourth as a group. 

I've been trying to remember, but I can't remember what I did to celebrated last year's fourth. This year, though, was a good experience, celebrating with the American community here in Ankara. 

Happy Independence Day, everyone!