| Merhaba! Sorry we haven't been writing as much, it's been a little crazy. Partly our own fault... Saturday and Sunday, because we didn't have an alarm, we woke up whenever we happened to wake up - both days that happened to be 11! Oh man. It was nice though, sleeping in. Helped us really recover from jetlag, I think. So let's go over Saturday's events! We of course woke up at 11, after which we got presentable and had a very nice brunch prepared by Auntie Hulya and Levent's maid. There was lots of peynir (cheese), siyah ve yesil zeytin (black and green olives), quince and strawberry jam, socuk(YUM!), yumurta (eggs), and of course... simit! Oh, it was really nice. Auntie Hulya then took Aysha and me to see a different side of Turkey we had not previously experienced. First we drove around a bit while she showed us some upscale areas with really nice stores, and the one we stopped to look around in was the area in which Fatoş lives. We parked and wandered around, looking at the beautiful buildings and designer stores, and ultimately sat at a little cafe and had some lattes. What people! We watched many expensive-looking people and CEOs wifes pass by, many of which Auntie Hulya knew. And by complete chance Fatoş happened to walk by with a friend, and we finally got to meet her. They look so much alike, Fatoş and Auntie Hulya! I knew she was Auntie Hulya's sister before I even met her. We chatted a little while longer, and then we went back to the car so Auntie Hulya could take us to another place. For lunch we went to a very nice restaurant by the water called Aşşh Cafe (I think, something like that) and apparently it's where all the big names go, and where the paparazzi follow them. We didn't see anyone there, but certainly all the other patrons of the restarant looked as if they could be celebrities. Very manicured and well-groomed people. It certainly is the kind of place where people go to see and be seen. Aysha and I found it to be a very interesting experience. Of course, the food was great (we've never experienced otherwise here in Istanbul) and had a very nice time with Auntie Hulya. After that, we went to another really lovely place by the Bosphoros, very close to where Ekin and her family lives. Aysha and I really liked this area. Many interesting little cafes, sea breeze, interesting people, and lots of ice cream places! Auntie Hulya took us to a reeeeeally tiny ice cream store (Mini Dondurma -- which means ice cream) that she told us is Fuat's favorite. Well, as we all know, that kid has great taste. It was very delicious, and we strolled around while we ate it. Afterwards, we walked along the water until we were in front of Ekin's house. Levent joined us, and then she met us by her boat which was parked right on the shore outside her house, and we very precariously boarded a small plank onto her gooorgeous boat. It was really something! She brought out lots of little snacks for us her maid had prepared - including some tasty little kofte about 1 in. in diameter, and a fried borek that we'd never tried before, with spinach in it. All very delicious of course. We had a lovely ride, observing all the properties on the shore, the owners of which Ekin and Auntie Hulya knew many. What beautiful houses! Cook guzel. The weather was great, the sea breeze on our faces felt incredible, and the water was not that choppy at all. After the boat ride, we went back to the apartment to change into evening clothes, and then all went to Sortie, one of the most famous restaurant-clubs in Istanbul. It's a huge place on the Bosphoros with a bunch of restaurants encircling the main bar in the middle, and then at night it turns into a huge nightclub. All outdoors. Auntie Hulya knows us well, and took us to a restaurant that had great kebab. The pistachio kebab was by far my favorite. and there were lots of tasty little mezzes and salads too. Of course, we had Raki to go with it, as is the way of a true Turk. All followed by DELICIOUS pistachio baklava and KAYMAK baklava. Yum! I seriously think that experiencing a country's food is at least half the cultural experience. At this point, Sortie's main area was starting to get crowded, the music had changed from lounge to electronic club beats. We wandered into the main area that by now was quite crowded, danced a little bit, and then made our way home. By the time we got home, it was well after midnight, and Aysha and I chatted our way to sleep, surprisingly not tired at all. Just like we used to, giggling well into the night. Perhaps that why we woke up for a second morning at 11. Mom, look what happens to us when you're not there to wake us up! Haha. As for Sunday, after our late start, we rushed to get ready, so we wouldn't make Auntie Hulya and Levent wait too long, and then were treated to a wonderful brunch by the Bosphorus at that same restaurant we went to last year with you guys! Unfortunately, I can't remember the name... but wow it was coook lezzetli, very delicious. GREAT socuk. After that, we had a nice stroll down the shore, watching the beautiful shoreline, all the fishermen, and observing other riverside activities. After Auntie Hulya got too cold, we got a taxi back to the apartment. Not long after, we got in a car on our way to the other side. We got to visit Auntie Hulya's father, and the house that he now lives in is the summer house she used to come visit when she was young, maybe 12-14. It was very interesting seeing a piece of her childhood! Very nice place, right near the water. There was a realy nice promenade by the water on which we strolled on for almost an hour. There was grassy areas where people were picnicing, people biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding, and some people were even swimming on a nearby mini-beach. What a beautiful day. It actually reminded me very much of Los Angeles, something like Venice Beach. After we got back to the house, we sat down and had tea on the balcony with Auntie Hulya, Levent, her father, and her brother. Her brother apparently hadn't seen Aysha and I since the last Turkey trip. He remembered Aysha, dad throwing her into the air and her giggling for more. Very sweet. It was an enjoyable afternoon. Auntie Hulya and Levent then drove us to the Cafe Zanzibar (with a lovely view of the water -- like everywhere else), where we met up with everyone: Auntie Cihan, Auntie Mihriban, Oguz Amca, Ipek, Onur, Sinem, Selim, and of course, the beautiful mother-to-be Deniz. She looks exactly the same as very, just as thin and beautiful, except for her belly! She's six months in. And mom, you were right in picking the color blue because it's going to be a boy, and they've picked the name Efe for him. It means something similar to strong man. I think. Not entirely sure. Anyway, we had a reeeeeally wonderful dinner with great food and even greater company. And I was speaking a lot of Turkish! I can really feel myself getting better, and it's a great feeling. And then there's Aysha, who can't speak Turkish really, but you'd be surprised at how much she can understand. I'm pretty impressed. I got some good practice with Ipek - I'd speak to her in Turkish, and she'd respond in English. She seems really excited for her upcoming American trip! Can't wait. Afterwards, we all caravaned to Auntie Cihan's place. Aysha and I then distributed the gifts, all of which I described what was for each person in Turkish. Everyone was very grateful. And then when the presents for Efe came out, everyone collectively said, "Awwwww." No one appreciated their gifts more than Deniz and Selim I think. Actually... maybe not. Oguz Amca really liked his Berkeley hat, to which I told him, "Cok iyi! Benim universitesi adi Cal, ve dunyada en iyi universitesi." (Very good! My university's name is Cal, and it's the best university in the world). All around, you really nailed it mom, as always. We told Deniz and Selim how excited you were and gave you credit. They offer their thanks. Nothing brings a family together like a baby! Uncle Davut was also back from his trip and we got to chat with him, unlike last time where we couldn't communicate at all. Seriously guys, I'm picking up some speed too. I need to work on my vocabulary, but they tell me my grammar is quite good. I had an entire conversation with Davut, asking him about his trip, telling him about graduation, and our trip so far, and all kinds of things. It fills me with a really wonderful warm feeling, being able to do this. I love it and I love this family so much. I am just so touched by how warm they all are, how they invited us so quickly into their family. Alright Mom, I hope this satisfied you! I tried to include every detail for you. We love you and miss you so much. We'll try to write soon, but I'm not sure if we'll have a computer nearby. We will, of course, do our best. All our love and millions of hugs and kisses to both of you!!!! |
