Big Island/ Buyuk ada

April 23 2013

We started the morning off early.  5:30 a.m. to be exact.  Took a taxi to the Metrobus, and then waited at the dock for out boat to leave. 

This pic is about 7:00 a.m.

Foggy mist hanging around the city in the early morning.

This pic looked like a battle ships off in the distance waiting......pretty sure they are only fishing/barge boats.

At the port, sunshine finally pouring through.

And we were off.  Today here is a big holiday, childrens' day.  But on this day something happens on this island, on this mountain.

It is an old vacation island, that mostly greeks used, and now turks use this place for vacationing.  There are lots of old homes and beautiful streets to walk down.

The steep staircase that we walked up to get to the cobblestone street that one way leads to downtown (the clocktower) and the other leads through a neighborhood and up the mountain.

Flower veils/crowns are sold for women and girls

I love the wisteria in this pic

There are old churches from the Ottoman empire days.  

One of the sleepy little streets that led to the water.

A view from the roof top of one of the houses.

When your getting close to the mtn there is the this little forest of trees.  Reminds me of a disney movie.

All kind of vendors set up at the base of the mtn.  Because it was believed that a man had a dream that a  "cross" was buried was buried under this mtn and if you walk up the mtn and make a wish it will come true.  The mostly (80%) women who travel up the mtn on this day make it harder by not talking, walking barefoot, they buy thread and unspool it from bottom to top hoping that once they reach the top with out their thread breaking the will have their wishes granted.  They also buy one of these candles according to color of which ever wish they want granted and light it at the top where there is also an old church.  People are placed there to pray to Jesus a blessing over these wishes.   

You can also buy charms according to color,

here are some the thread paths just starting that morning.  

Some women unspooling

The old church at the top

The view from the top

It dates back to 1909.  Double click on the pic to see closer view.

Video of people in line to be prayed for.

some of the feet that were bare.

The handicapped can ride a donkey to the top.

I loved these flowers

The thread on the path as we came down that afternoon.

Then some women were determined not to let their thread break and got off the path, to the wooded area.

It was a tangled mess

Back down at the base of the mtn

Some of the vaca homes.

I loved this teal gate.

And the wisteria

Heading downtown.

carriage rides were the mode of transport, well that and bicycles, there are no cars on the island.

a hotel

The port

downtown, the place to be.  lots of eating going on down here. 

My friends

We were pretty exhausted as we headed back to the boat, it would be a long ride home. 

some water pics

On my way.

A friend offered to take us part way, and then we caught the bus home.  All in all we left at 5:30 a.m. and returned at 8:00 p.m.  And my sweet husband (who stayed home with the boys all day) also gave a great foot rub when I walked through the door.  I love him.

Long time no see

April 21 2013

Our friends came to visit.  You should have seen the boys when these 2 gals walked in.  They were elated.  Running around chasing each other.  I little sense of familiarity.  

We had such a good day showing them around our neck of the woods.  

We ventured up a overlook restaurant.  

And had pide (their version of pizza without the tomato sauce, I like it that way, how can you go wrong with bread and cheese). 

Luke got a little restless.

But this is the view.  Cows grazing. This is the green area up the hill behind our apt.

And this is the mosque that is beside our apt.

Then we headed to the water and let the kids play.

My sweet friend

Noah got free corn but gave it brother.  Who successfully chomped down on it.

Then he got a free mini ice cream cone.

View from the docks

old painted boat.

Nets.  I remember the story of Jesus telling the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat whenever I come down and see these fishermen.

Looking at the jellyfish.

Thanks FBCA

April 21 2013

Yes we have a friend that came over and yes she thought of us.  Thanks FBCA and Emily.

We got some sweet letters too.

I was most excited about the peanut butter, but really look at the options, they are all great.

Drew is already for some pancakes with Syrup. 

The boys were most excited about the goldfish.  They have been asking for some since we got here and I keep telling them they don't have those here.  So when they showed up via US traveler Noah said, "See they do have goldfish!"  

Chomping down.

Happy boy.

Lunch date

April 20 2013

We just happened to be on the Asia side and decided to stop in a good little place that serves one of my favorites.  GOZLEME.  It is this quesadilla type bread that you put mashed potatoes, cheese, minced meat, parsley.............. Just what this Mississippian can call the Turkish version of comfort food.

This sweet lady making our food,  I practiced a little of my language with her.  And ordered in Turkish.  Big deal for me.  Just getting it out of your mouth correctly feels like a success sometimes.  

The end product. Delish.

Then we rode a mode of transport that was new to me.  

Yep the ferry.

Here are some of my out of boat shots.

Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in the distance.

Freight

And not the most glamorous pic, we were freezing.