Vilnius, Lithuania

Never did I ever think I would live on Lithuania or come back to visit. I am glad that both happen. 

The city is full of a simple charm and so much history. Lithuania has been through a lot, a whole lot. There is a lot of history here to learn about and a lot to explore. 

Today we went to the Grand Dukes Palace museum. Oh I guess we should start with who is we? Cierra, who I lived with in China is now the head teacher here in Lithuania so I got to come back with my mom and see her as well as Dima and his family. Yesterday I got to see half of my elementary kids. Well, the few who are left. It was so nice and they were so excited! 

We are going to do pen pals with kids from my class back home. So excited for that! 

Alma still works at the school too! I loved being back. I'm going today and tomorrow As well which should be great! 

read more "Vilnius, Lithuania"

Istanbul Tidbits

Little things I've taken note of:

-This city is clean. Really clean. Like not one piece of garbage or scrap anywhere in the main areas. 

-Turkey is built on hills, steep hills

-The people dress nicely. 

- I have not seen a single wheelchair, probs bc of those hills. 

- Taxis are decently priced and reliable.

- Food is the same price as the US, at least in all the main tourist areas 

- there are cats and dogs everywhere but more cats. If you sit down and offer food up a cat a dozen more will appear. 

-Calls to prayer are loud but really neat to listen to

- There is no shortage of masques and they are beautiful 

- Baklava is to Turkey like the macaron is to France and it is everywhere 

- Most of the people on the streets are men

- Turkish delight really is delightful especially the pomagranite

- You can pick up fresh squeezed juice all over for cheap

- everyone is very modestly dressed. Most women are in long skirts, full coats, and head scarves. If coming I would suggest bringing long skirts and nicer clothing. Jeans, leggings, pants in general and you will stick out. 

- the stray dogs have tags in their ears. It's part of a program where they capture the strays, neuter them, tag them and release them. They've had a problem with strays forever and have tried managing them in different ways. Luckily the dogs are all pretty plump. Research says that the people feed them.

- I would bring a Baggie of cat food and sit in the park and feed the stray cats like pigeons :) Don't but those pretzels, the cats don't like them.

- Turkish breakfast consists of eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, meats, breads and tons of spreads. Sunday is a big deal for breakfast and there will be lots of breakfast buffets open.

- The Golden Horn area is full of lots of neat ruins both ancient and new. You should walk that area and explore the streets. 

- They have a sea bus that works with your transport card. You can take the sea bus to Asia. You can also use that card for the metro and tram. 

- You should not visit the mosques during prayer time, go before or after. 

- Definetly visit the Basilica Cistern. 

- Turkish airlines weighs and checks your carry on at check in. 

- Turkish delight can last 4 months and baklava 6 days, just incase like me, you want to take a ton home. 

- Check out the city at night. The mosques are lit up and it's beautiful. 

- bring ear plugs if you don't want to listen to cats, seagulls, and calls to prayer all night and morning. 

- 

read more "Istanbul Tidbits"

A Ferry to Asia

Never thought that would happen but today I took a ferry to Asia. Istanbul is unique in that it spans two continents. This allows for the unique experience of taking a ferry back and forth between Asia and Europe. 

Pretty sweet eh?

Before this mother made us take a tram and taxi to the middle of nowhere so she could attend church. 

Yeah, that ended well. Apparently due to the bomb threats and terrorist alert church has been canceled. So now we are on the boat. Asia is calling. 

So, we went to Asia. We walked the coast. Then walked back. Found this lunch spot. Mother does not know how to choose food she just gets a tinge of hunger and bam we have to sit down and eat. Then she ends up going and ordering herself instead of letting the waitor do it. Acko taco. Plus she orders two big meat dishes one of which was unidentifiable. Good. Maybe next time I will get to pick. 

Oh and in Asia I actually found a grocery store. This side is was less touristy. Not many at all. Btw there are like no American tourists here. I love that this city is on the water the views are so pretty. 

read more "A Ferry to Asia"

Istanbul

Baklava.

Turkish Delight.

Architecture.

What's not to love?

With the recent bombings people were really afraid for me to be traveling to Turkey. Heck my solo trip even added my mom. 😂 It is a real threat, but I'm more likely to die in a car accident back home. However last night I got an email from our government that Turkish sources are reporting threats today (Easter) from ISIL. 

But, oh well. Turkey is beautiful. We avoided rain. It's been about 48 degrees. 

Yesterday we visited the Blue Mosque,

Hagia Sofia,

Topkapi Palace,

Grand Bazaar,

Spice Market

and walked all over. 22,000 steps to be exact. Thanks Fitbit. 

read more "Istanbul"

A Terroristic Easter

The most eventful Easter to date. Started with an email from the gov about a terrorist threat and warning: stay away from worship houses. So we explore Iskital street, (where the explosion happened last week) just to see busses of police, the bomb squad, and streets filled with people.

As we proceeded cautiously the first demonstration came by. We still felt okay so we continued. Then two more caged buses of police with full shields and gear protecting some unidentified building. More police guarding a church, which we went into. Then we get to the end of the street, look up, and dozens of police in full riot gear ( helmets, shields, batons, tear gas guns) are blocking the whole street. Behind them, thousands of political demonstrators. We immediately turn around and get off the street down and ally. The protesting starts with yells, chants, and the March of the men. We are trying to head down an alley when the police start coming up the alley. Yeah. We high tailed it outta there. All is well. Another great day in Istanbul! (The pics are a bit messy seeing as how we were trying to get out of there but also document and at the same time not get in trouble for documenting.)

read more "A Terroristic Easter"