Saturday, July 2, 2011 - Ankara, Turkey

This morning started out with two seminars about Ottoman Paintings and Ancient Civilizations of Anatoyla.  Our last session ran quite a bit longer than expected which put us behind schedule for heading to the Old Town part of Ankara.  After arriving we were lead up a beautiful cobblestone street that lead to a little multi-story historical house that held a restaurant with an amazing view at the top. 

The cobblestone street up to the restaurant

The outside of the restaurant

I was one of the first ones in the room and choose a seat in the back corner againist the wall next to the window.  Shortly after all 20+ of us took a seat at the long table the rumor started that some US senators were in Ankara and would also be dining at the same restaurant.  I jokingly said to a friend "I bet it'll be John McCain."  Within five minutes in walked three Senators - Senator Linsday Graham from South Carolina, Senator Joseph Lieberman from Connecticut, AND, yes, Senator John McCain from ARIZONA!

Senator John McCain and Senator Joe Lieberman taking with Amy and Beth J.

Sneaking a picture of the "other" table

Like I said, though, I was trapped in the back corner and there was no way for me to get closer to the senators than a stretch handshake across the table.  Our side of the table soon was put in charge of getting pictures with the senators and they were in charge of asking the questions we all had.  Teamwork in action!  We found out they arrived in town the night before, had already met with the prime minister to discuss the current situations in Libya and Syria, and then were meeting with the prime ministers main oppositional leader after lunch.  Then tomorrow they were heading to Afghanastain to spend the 4th of July with the troops! 

Can you believe it???  So, on this trip, I've meet the American Embassadors to both Greece and Turkey, three American senators, and many other important American diplomats.  I don't know what's going on!

After lunch and our touch of American governmental celebrities, we walked down to the Anatoyla Historical Museum and it was my favorite museum of all that we have visited on the trip so far.  All of the information on the anicent civilizations was completely new to me and I can't wait to read more about it.

The outside of the museum

Everywhere there is a mark is where there are current excavation sites going on in Turkey!  Amazing.

This anicent Turkish tribe buried their dead in the fetal position under their homes.

An anicent sundial

Bulls used in religious ceremonies to hold the sacrifical blood of animals

A didem (crown)

Check out this envelope and letter from 2500+ years ago!  So cool.

This afternoon, Melissa, Jeremy, and I sought out a Turkish ice store - how do you like their "scoops?"

Then Melissa and I visited a huge bookstore and I found a boatload to books that I plan to use in my curriculum unit I am developing based on my Fulbright-Hay Seminar experience.  In addition, I found two entire bookshelf columns all devoted to the Father of Turkey, Ataturk.  Amazing.  I can't wait to read more about this amazing man that the Turks love and hold with such high respect.  I've only begun to scratch the surface.

The Ataturk Section of the bookstore

This evening we had a special group dinner with the Turkey Fulbright staff at a lovely restaurant called Gil's.  I have found that I love, love, love hummas.  (Even if it's not an offical Turkish food - I love it when I get it here!)  Here is a few pictures of our night together.



Melissa and I



Jeremy and LeeAnn sitting across the table from Melissa and I

Tomorrow we are visiting a Women's Center and then will be enjoying a nice chunk of free time in the afternoon before heading out early on Monday morning.

Two things I am looking forward to:  Monday we are going to see the Whirling Diverishes and then Tuesday I am going to be going on a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise!  I can't believe I am having these experiences and opportunities!