Aug. 1, 2009
I love Turkey!
We have just had a fabulous time in Turkey! It has been so much fun. It is just so clean and bright. I don't even know how to explain it, but it is the best. Before we left for this vacation, everyone we knew told us that we would love Turkey and they were so right. It is a great country!!
This reminded me of Little Caesars Pizza, but it's not.
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Jul. 31, 2009
Sunset and Baklava
Baklava is my favorite treat here. I've learned that you know your baklava is fresh if it makes a tshhh sound when you bite into. We found some great baklava here. Tshhh sound and syrup dripping all the way down the arm. Yummy!!
The boys are in a hand here. Tataturk was the prime minister here in the 20s after the Ottoman empire fell. Tataturk means the father of Turkey. He is on all the money and was on this hand. Turkish people love him.
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Jul. 30, 2009
Cultural Experiences
Today, we went to an hamam together as a family. This is a bath house. Before we left, I told the kids that we would definitely have to go to an hamam. They were very unhappy about the idea. They didn't like the idea of not having there clothes on in front of other people. But, we did it privately as a family. They had a blast!
Last night, we went to Turkish night. It was so much fun. There was turkish dancing and belly dancing. I have never seen anything like it before.
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Jul. 28, 2009
Another Day Cruise
We had a boat trip planned for today, but when we woke up, I wasn't sure if my stomach was up for it. But, I wanted to go. We all get on the crowded bus, and ds7 throws all over us on the way. He got sick again when we got on the boat.
But he quickly recovered.
Ds9 was known as the daredevil of the trip. Everyone was amazed at how many times he went off this high board! They would scream when he would jump. He also climbed to the top of a rocky mountain with dh. 
They also got to ride in these red rafts on the back of a boat. They loved it!
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Jul. 27, 2009
Having a Great Time
It's been a nice vacation so far. We calculated today that we have been gone for three weeks. That is really hard to believe. We feel that we have done a lot! It's one of those vacations where we have no idea what day it is and rarely know what time it is. Very relaxing. I really hadn't expected it to be like this. Most of the people here haven't seen Americans here. This is a popular British vacation spot! So much, in fact, that all prices are listed in pounds! I'm glad this vacation has been relaxing. I definitely needed it. Last March,I felt like I was just dragging myself to the finish line which would be this vacation. I desparately needed a break. Last year we didn't have a break from homeschool at all from New Year's to Memorial Day. This year we are following the schedule of a British school here and thank goodness, because they have a lot more breaks, even if their school lasts longer into the summer.
We met a friend here and my husband was telling him how we live in Saudi. My husband told him that we signed another contract for at least two more years. As soon as those words left his mouth, the boys freaked and started crying. Being on vacation has made them think that every other country is a lot more fun than Saudi. I guess they forgot about the family meeting we had when we all decided together that we would stay for another contract! LOL It was hard to hear that, but my husband and I know that this is best for us right now. And the kids don't realize that things wouldn't change that much wherever we may be. I'm still going to home school them from 8-3, they will still have chores, and limited tv. time. The major thing that would change is that we wouldn't have great vacations like this. We could never afford it! Saudi provides these vacations for its Westerners so that they can take a break and live a normal lifestyle for a while to recoup. It is a drastic change! I have realized that Saudi has made me weird! I don't look men in the eyes anymore. I'm definitely not used to shaking hands with any or starting up a conversation with one. And when we entered the Blue Mosque, Western women were told to wear a scarf, except for me, because I was already fully covered. I really don't know if I could fit into American society again. It would definitely take some effort! 
Eating swordfish!
Loving the sunsets! 
Beautiful dragonfly!
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Jul. 26, 2009
A Day Spent Swimming in the Med
We had a very nice time today. We went to the beach. It was very rocky. Yes, I have a purse full of stones again. The boys' favorite hobby. They love them all and there was a beach full of them.
I'm not really sure what this sport is called, but I like to call it paraskiing, because that is what they were doing. It was really fun to watch. Lots of flips. Looked like a lot of fun. The boys really want to try this. (But, they won't.)
volleyball
Relaxing on the hammock!
Sandmonster!!!!
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Jul. 25, 2009
Relaxing Days by the Pool
This is a turkish delight. A Turkish man didn't like the hard candy of the West so he made this chewy candy dipped in sugar. We got it as an after dinner treat. It is quite good!! I am still searching for Baklava high and low though. It is still my favorite Turkish treat.
The kids had a great time by the pool:
The boys met a British boy named Stephen. They like reenacting the Revolutionary War with him. He has no idea what that was, though!
We enjoy our walks on the beach!! This is a great place. We have decided to stay here longer. It has been very relaxing and good for all of us!! The boys have liked talking about who is going to take care of daddy when he's old. They are all fighting over him! He will be well cared for!!
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Jul. 24, 2009
A Boat Cruise on the Mediterranean
We spent the day on a boat, it made 5 stops for swimming, the kids fished, and we ate a wonderful Turkish buffet. It was very relaxing.
The boys are having a great time. This is the most relaxing vacation I have had in a long time. The Med was so blue and it was so clear.
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Jul. 23, 2009
St. John's Bascillica
This was amazing. Very spiritual. St. John wrote his gospel here and this is where he was buried.
The view:
We found this little guy on St. John's hill and he entertained us for a bit. He had a lot of ticks on him though, the poor thing. 
This rock looked like a dinosaur skull! 
This boy came up and spoke English to us. He was very nice. 
This was where people were baptised! 
These vases were everywhere. I can just imagine them upright in Roman times. This was really neat to be here. I loved it that my children were climbing around on ancient ruins. And I could just imagine St. John writing the gospel up there while eating bread and drinking some wine. 
Mary's house isn't far from there. St. John and Mary came here after Jesus was crucified. Mary's house wasn't found until much later. A nun named Catherine had never left Germany, but on her death bed had visions from Mary. Mary told her where her house was. Later, a priest read the writings from Catherine and went and found Mary's house just as it had been described. What a miracle!!
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Jul. 23, 2009
Ephesus
It was neat seeing this collosium. It used to hold 25,000 people! It was amazing to sit in the stands and imagine what it used to be like. 
Yum! And Turkish pizza for lunch!!
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