The Road Trip (Part II)

I certainly hope that you didn't think stories from the road trip were done... They are not. After the interview, we met back up with our hosts and headed to Anitkabir. The first 'i' should be un-dotted in Turkish and it is pronounced (Ah-nuht-kah-beer)...It's hard to prounounce those un-dotted 'i's, so I'm sure I can't do it justice over the computer. Only in person could I help you say it in Turkish. But we should try because this is where a museum has been established that gives homage to Turkish history and where Ataturk himself's body is and if you know anything about Turkey or Turkish people, you should know that they are a fiercely patriotic and proud people and Ataturk holds a special place in each one of their hearts. (We're standing in front of the building that holds his body.) I cannot over-exaggerate this point to you. They love their country and they have a deep respect for the man who helped make Turkey what it is today. On a plaque at the museum dedicated to Turkish history and Ataturk, himself, the 2nd president is quoted saying that Ataturk will remain in, "the Turkish people's heart full of love and pride." I couldn't help but feel the truth of that statement as I toured the museum and mausoleum with Billy. She teared up at one point and couldn't really explain to me what she was feeling, except to say that Turkey wouldn't be the place that it is today without this man and what he did. It was a moment full of insight to these people for me to see my friend--who is not usually overly outspoken about her country or it's first leader--moved to tears over this history. You have to know these people to understand their love for him and this place where we live.

All around the museum guards are placed and we were able to see the very ceremonial changing of the guards. Do not get in their way! My friend told me that they are commanded to not stop while they are changing, no matter who gets in their path!

I really enjoyed getting to go to the museum. I don't think my time in Turkey would ever be truly complete without it. We left the museum and headed to the Ankamall for Arby's...you saw the proof in the last blog. It's a happy picture, isn't it. We were just beat at this point after the museum, lunch, and a marathon shopping extravaganza. Billy is a shopping machine. Girl after my own heart. But, all this and we still hadn't had showers yet, lest you forget the midnight bus ride hence from we came. After a short nap, our hosts headed their way for the evening and we headed ours...to Pizza Hut. We had great aspirations to wash our faces, use the bathroom, and brush our teeth at Pizza Hut since...the water was still not working where we were staying. We just couldn't help but do anything other than laugh when we got to Pizza Hut only to find a note on the bathroom door that the water was not working. That entire part of the city was without water. Now, those living in Ankara would call us girls from the 'village', but these village girls had no trouble hopping a taxi and heading to refuge. We found it back in the Ankamall--our familiar landmark--at Starbucks. I think those were my favorite moments at Starbucks--I already told you we went twice, don't give me a hard time--laughing about the weekend and getting to talk about real things, a little in Turkish and a little more in English. But it was a great weekend. It really got me challenged to keep on keeping on with my language because as great as Billy's English may be, when conversation went to matters of the heart over pizza or coffee, it also went to Turkish. Thankfully, I could understand and even contribute to those moments, but that was definitely of Someone other than myself. It was a great weekend, water or no water...