Miten, drove Gulsen and I to FINAL, my school. At this point I was very tired but I stuck it out.
I met Suleymon Demirel, one of the
principals, Refik Koaek, one of the founders, and a few others from the
school.
I toured every floor of the
building.
I am so happy with what I saw.
Much of the supplies were not at the school
yet, including computers and science equipment among other things.
I can’t wait until they do arrive, it will make
the school feel whole.
Some administration and I ventured to my flat, in which we found it not to be ready – without
appliances, bed and light fixtures. Cihan,
the vice principal, Gulsen, and I went to a local chicken serving restaurant
down the road. Literally, my first bite
of Turkish food was placed in my mouth, by fork, by Cihan. I blew embarrassment aside and laughed with
the two. The food was so fresh and
delicious. I also had my first Turkish
cigarette with the two.
After lunch, administration and I stopped back at the flat to which we agreed it would not be sufficient enough for me
to stay until the appliances and bed arrived.
I
was driven to Grand Eyupoglu Hotel. Gulsen waited in the
lobby for me while I dropped my things off in my room. Gulsen then led us to a mini
bus which we took down the Uskudar, an area on the Bosphorus.
We walked the path along the Bosphorus until
we found Leander’s Tower, or better know as Maiden's Tower.
We drank
tea at a restaurant and enjoyed a long conversation of many different
topics.
Once our conversation slowed
down we sat at the waters edge, viewing Maiden's Tower, waiting for Gulsen’s friend, Soner, to pick us up,
all the while fighting off a flower lady. When Soner
picked us up he drove us to the top of Camlica hill, one of the 7 hills
Istanbul is built on.
(Did I mention the three rules to driving?)
There awaited the most incredible view of
the city – lights illuminate major roads, tourist attractions and many nooks and crannies of alley ways.
Maiden's Tower:
