Istanbul... for 3 days...

After our luxurious plane ride, we had to stand in this horrendously long line to get a visa. I guess in order to come into the country of Turkey, you have to have a visa? I wasn't clear on the details, other than I knew that John and I needed to get one in order to be legal in Turkey. haha. Luckily the line moved fairly quickly. It wasn't as bad as waiting for the indiana jones ride at disneyland,  but it was still long and frustrating! The counter that we had to reach was below the "Visa" sign... 

I don't remember if I had mentioned how the first night that we got here, we immediately got ready and went out! Pelin, Ayse's dear friend and the woman we were staying with in Istanbul, wanted to show us Istanbul at night. She took us to this restaurant that sat right on the edge of the Marmara sea. This is the sea that separates the asian continent and the european continent (even though they are both still turkey) from my understanding. So basically, we could see across the way to the other mass of land. There were boats in the middle and lots and lots of light and music. It was very... romantic. That's a great word for it. We sat outside in candle light while Frank Sinatra played in the background. I know, weird right? haha. Anyway, we just sat and relaxed and enjoyed the ambiance and the company. It was very picturesque and totally a fun surprise to be there and see such beauty. I tried to catch photos of it without looking too much like a tourist. I was unable to be successful in capturing a "great" photo of it.

The thing is, we haven't been doing "touristy" stuff yet. The things that we have been doing are what turkish people do normally. So catching photos hasn't been quite as casual as I would like it to be. I did however, catch this great one of a cool building. It actually looks like it could be from disneyland, except its real. It was sooo beautiful.

We walked along the coast of the sea, and it seemed that everyone was out! It is so hot and humid here during the day that everyone comes out at night and eats dinner around 9 or 10 pm. We even walked past a park at 10:45 pm and the entire park was full of parents and their kids playing on it! It was a sight to be seen!

We just walked and walked, and then we reached this almost Bazaar like place where there were cobble stone streets that were narrow with lights and people and people selling stuff. Handmade jewelry, and good food. The city of Istanbul puts on free concerts often. So we walked over to a free concert in this area and it was awesome! There were so many people! I regret not getting a photo of that!

We decided to sit at a nearby restaurant called "The House" and get a bit of tea. I was surprised by how much tea they drink, all the time. And the majority of it is fresh and herbal. The one we had that particular evening is called Apple tea. and this is what it looks like when they bring it out to you.

It includes fresh cut apples, a few slices of oranges and lemons, and a little white jar of honey. Also a tea pot of fresh seeping tea. What you do with it is you combine the ingredients and it makes for some delicious sweet apple tea. So we just sat there and enjoyed the live concert and drank tea... Oh to be a European.

I came home that evening to discover this rad toilet. Square??!! Is it too weird that I was excited by a square toilet? haha... 

While we have been in Istanbul for 3 days we have being just literally shopping and eating... and shopping and eating... and shopping an drinking tea and shopping and eating. It has been fun! We have been introduced to the fashion of Istanbul! What I didn't know was that Turkey is a pretty fashionable place, mainly Istanbul. They have awesome stores here and it has been fun to integrate with the people.

Something that I have been trying to do is to learn some key words with the language. It has been SO difficult for me to do. Things are pronounced in certain ways and my tongue just cant do some of the ways that their words require. Like it was not made to say some of the words. haha But the people here are kind. They are incredibly patient with me. They will even try to speak english to me. Also, with some of the languages I have picked up like spanish, some of the words connect to english words. Not in Turkish. Nothing sounds english except for maybe when they say salad... makes it a little difficult for me to learn it.

What has been neat though is seeing John pick it up. He hasn't been here for 6 years and he used to come at least once a year with his mom. I usually have no idea what is going on in conversations but it is cool to watch John laugh at what is being said, or smile or nod...He may not speak it super well, but its cool to see him picking up and remembering it and understanding it.

Moral of the story is.....

WE ARE HERE!!! IN TURKEY!!!!! AND ITS AMAZING!!!!

Alright. Now that I got that out... let us begin. I have a lot to tell you because some great things have been happening. 

I'll start you off with when we were checking our luggage and ourselves into our flight with Turkish Airlines. We had a bajillion bags to bring with us. Alright, okay... only 6 large bags and 3 carry ons, but still... it felt like a lot because they were full and heavy and we had only 3 of us lugging them around the airport. So we get there and this kind, turkish man behind the counter began helping us, asking for our passports, putting those flight stickers on our bags and making small chit chat. Ayse (John's mom for those of you who don't know by now) asked him if he was turkish and he was. They began speaking turkish to each other and I realized at that point that there was going to be a lot of this feeling of "I have no clue what is going on" since I don't know the language. I have to just smile and nod most of the time, which isn't sooooo bad. Anyway, they spoke back and forth and afterward, Ayse mentioned that he had asked why so many bags and she told him it was because 5 of them were for her orphan children. (see how big the bags were below) They were full of toys and clothes and things to bring happiness to a couple of orphan kids that she loves here in turkey. And that was that. We left him and begun our trek through Toronto airport to our boarding gate. We got there and it was HORRIBLY packed. Like, a line for a mile. It was insane but fascinating to watch all who was going to Turkey and noticing who was turkish and who wasn't. When we finally got on the plane and were directed to our seats, to our surprise, the man who checked us in was soo touched by Ayse's love for her orphans that he upgraded our seats to Comfort Class! I didn't even know something like that existed, but to my amazement it does!

I was embarrassingly excited about this. John played it way cooler than I did. And I had to be careful because I was taking so many photos that people were looking at me and totally judging. But wouldn't you take pictures if you were served a menu on the plane? Or if you could lean your chair so far back that you could actually get a good nights rest on a flight? Or if your chair could become like an recliner where it lifts your feet up? or where you had your own personal TV with different channels and an assortment of like 150 movies to choose from?? AND they give you slippers, pillow, blankets, and a little package for refreshing your breath, hair, skin, and feet??... Wouldn't you want to remember this moment?! Do you judge me for taking photos? Don't... I know you would have done it too. ;)

(The pictures are a little out of the order that I wanted them in and most of the photos were taken with my iphone (it didn't have such an obvious flash) so they are a tiny bit blurry)

Ayse getting the luggage ready..

See these bags!!! SOOO many! Ayse only really let us take a carry on with our stuff so she could take the orphans things. It was hard narrowing down what to take, but I am glad she is so willing to give to these orphans.

John, playing it way cooler than me on the plane.  Look at the space!!! And the wide seats!

Every meal came with these little salt and pepper shakers. Cute right? And smart...

My own personal TV. I decided to watch "New Year's Eve" (I think thats what it's called)

The slot where my side table came out of...

This was seriously the coolest thing from this experience, a reclining chair...

Dinner.... A little blurry, but you get the idea (yes that is 2 salads, salmon, and a pasta dish with warm bread)

Again, the recliner. John was such a good model.

This was our breakfast menu... They served us Dinner immediately when we got on the plane and then 2 hours before we landed they served us breakfast! Please look at the detail of the meal on this menu.

Dessert after dinner. On the right is an orange creme brulee of sorts. Did I mention they had a chef on the plane?

Dinner menu in the middle. Still so much detail. Look closely. English is on the right side of the middle. (Whitney, I thought you might enjoy this)

Breakfast. An Omelette. Fruits, bread, cheese, cucumber and tomato. (very common turkish breakfast)

I feel like she gives a little perspective by how much space we really had.. 

The flight was a spectacular experience. I didn't know it was possible to enjoy a 10 hour plane flight. I usually feel wiped, and sick and usually when I step off the plane I feel like I need to kiss the ground because "I have MADE IT! I survived!!!" But with this experience, I felt like I could have flown for another 10 hours... weird, right?

So, the moral of the story is... Donate to orphans when you travel some where far and it may get you bumped up to Comfort class where you can be comfortable. They weren't joking people.

GO PRO...

John just got a GO PRO Camera for our trip! He is setting it all up for our trip!

This meansssss.... VIDEOS to come on this here blog about our radical trip to TURKEY! PS... We leave tomorrow!!!! 6 weeks of Turkey here we come!

Every sunday needs to end this way...

Last sunday, we had the pleasure of visiting the home of Wayne and Joann McLeash. This home holds fond memories for me because it was where my bridal shower in Canada was held. It is incredible beautiful. And the backyard is so serene. We were invited for dinner and company.

Well the company was a pleasure. We were there not only with our family of 4 and the McLeash's, but also the Diaczun'z as well. We ate outside in the back yard and below are pictures of our view....

This is Joann and me. She is such a lovely woman. And I had such a great time getting to know her better!

They live on Lake Ontario... Like right on it as you can tell. This is why I said every sunday needs to end this way, out on a veranda of sorts, enjoying nature and the weather...my kind of sunday.

Just a reminder to get your ducks in a row...

Also, we were able to go to the Toronto Temple and afterwards ran into Ward and Laurie Fuller! 

Walks, Ball games, Friends, and Drive-Ins....

It's about time I update my going ons since my last post. The thing is, honestly, we are just relaxing... not doing a whole lot. Simply enjoying just being here at John's parents home. It is so incredibly different than being at my home in CA. There were only 3 people that lived in this home.. at the most. No one comes and goes as often as in my home growing up (if you can't remember, I have 10 siblings). So the experience here has been quiet and serene. It has been nice.

One of the things that we have been doing a lot of is taking walks. It is fascinating to me to see how many people here in Canada who like to take advantage of their parks and of being outside. Beside the fact that the weather has been great (with minor humidity), I have noticed that they have incredible landscapes and natural beauty all over the place. Its like living in nature and all the joys and beauty that come with that, whilst still living in a nice suburban home and all the eminenties that comes with that. It is a perfect balance of the two. Below is a nice walk we were able to enjoy the other day... this is just part of a local park. no biggy...

We also went to a Toronto Blue Jays game! It was awesome because they Blue Jays played against the Orioles and the Blue Jays won 4-1. The cool part was that all of the runs that they got were Home Runs. It was a fun game!!

John and his dad waiting outside the stadium with their matching hats! haha

The stadium 

The sky was incredible that evening!

John's mom and I went shopping and she is so little that the hats she was trying on would just engulf her!

John and his mom at Johnny Rockets!

There is a little downtown area near Johns home called Streetsville. It was so cute and quaint. John and I walked to it and had Shawarma's and went to the local stores. It was great!

We met up with our good friends at Yordale mall and ate at a restaurant called "The Pickled Barrell" It was great company and good food!... Can't get better than that!

Nate, Kyle, and John

Me, Brittany, and Emily

This house salad was seriously sooo good that it made me make this face!!

The Clan!

We also went to the Drive-in! It is actually a big deal here in Canada and still something that a lot of people do. The last time I went to a Drive-In was probably when I was in 5th grade and the movie Boe-Finger was playing! So crazy! We saw Madagascar 3. It was fun!

These girls make me smile! Brittany and Emily

Our View

We have been having a blast!!! We have been so lucky to spend time with good friends! We don't get to see them enough because of living in the states. We are glad we were able to see them while we have been here! They have driven down to see us (we have been without a car) more times than we had expected and would have done more! We are sooo grateful for their friendship! :) I am sad cause we don't have photos with the fourth couple of our group, Brittany and Ben! Brittany just had a beautiful baby boy just last week. Congratulations to you both!!!

Lennon and Maisy

This is amazing. I don't care what you say. Enjoy one behalf of me...

You're welcome.

OH CANADA!!!

Here we are. We are here. In Canada. It is absolutely beautiful. This marks the beginnings of our adventures that will be taking place this summer. I am hopeful that I will be able to keep up and post as much as I can so that those who care to follow along can get a glimpse into Turkey and what it will be like for us. Some news on that first, Ayse told me that while we are in Turkey, her family and friends will throw us a turkish wedding. SOOOOO Excited for this! Also, we will be traveling for a week on a boat and we will be traveling the coast and go from port to port to experience all the different cultures and parts of turkey! We couldn't feel more lucky or more blessed to be able to be doing this trip.  We are so excited for everything. 

For now, we are in Canada enjoying relaxing and just being around family and friends that we haven't had any time to spend with before. The weather here has been really great and we have been outside quite a bit. We got here on Sunday the 20th of May and we landed around 2 pm. The flights were fairly exhausting since we went to bed the night before around 1 am and had to wake up around 3 am in order to make it to our 5:30 am flight. After we were settled in John's parents home, good family friends, the Diaczun's, came over to have dinner with us and celebrate our long awaited arrival. It is so great to get to know them better. They have been long time friends, long enough that they consider each other family. John doesn't have much family. Both of his dad's parents have passed away and his dad only had a sister and she has passed away too. John's mom's family all lives in Turkey and so they only see each other once a year if that. (Soon I get to meet them too!) So the Diaczun's have willingly filled the Hitchins void for family which can help you understand my desire to get to know them better. 

There are quite a few families that John's family has adopted as family. It is lucky that they know such great people and are close enough to be able to call them family. It is a joy to get to know them and the more that I do get to know them, the more I am able to see why we call them family. 

The next day (Monday) was a holiday here in Canada, "Victoria Day"... obviously we do not have that in the states. haha. But it made up for not having memorial day here in Canada. So we again got together with the Diaczun's and went to a local park. It was SOOOO wonderful! We just had a picnic and sat around playing catch, frisbee, and taking naps. Really good times were had. Below are some photos of the park and us throughout the day.

Cam on the left (Part of the Diaczun clan) and Ross (john's dad on the right)

Beautiful Mallory (Diaczun)

Steve one the left and Jill on the right (both Diaczun)

Ayse (John's mom) and Penny (Diaczun)

You should know who we are...

This beautiful park! Did I mention it was right on the edge of Lake Ontario?? 

John and his dad trying to get the kite going... sadly there was not enough wind.

It was beautiful

........

Then at one point we got together with some of John's good friends Ben and Brittany and Brittany and Kyle and they introduced me to some good Canadian treats! The first one was Tim Hortons which is considered a bakery, I think. It has delicious donuts and "Timbits", which are essentially glorified donut holes.

Me with Timbits and Peach Drink

Brittany (just about to have a baby boy!), me and Brittany!

Then they introduced me to this thing called a "Poutine". It is a bowl of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. As weird as it sounded, it was delish! Hopefully, I can get some more of this before we leave~

Brittany and I gettin ready to chow down on our Poutine's

THE Poutine

Later on that evening, we decided to have a BBQ out in the Backyard. We grilled up some burgers and made a salad and green beans. Earlier that day John had set up the patio furniture so we wanted to eat out on that. It was nice other than the mosquitos!

John and Ben

DINNER! Yum! (John, Ben, Kyle, Brittany, and Brittany)

Then on Sunday (Yesterday) John and I along with Nate and Emily drove up to Kyle and Brittany's and they made us "Panda Express" (They don't have it here in Canada). It was absolutely delicious! To be more direct, it was BETTER than Panda Express. haha And plus the company kept was wonderful!

Kyle on the left (Making his yummy cookies), me, John, Nate, and Emily.

So thats it for now, until next time!