The morning began calmly. I was able to sleep in because breakfast went until ten o’clock in the morning rather than just eight o’clock. It felt nice to sleep in for an extra hour, but I could have slept in even longer! I was all worried about how long it would take me to pack. It took me about five minutes. I was left with over an hour to stare at the wall. Luckily I had something on the geopolitics of Israel to read, thanks to my dad. Time passed quicker than I anticipated it to and then off we were to the airport!
The Tel Aviv Airport is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The security there is uber intense! They scan bags you are going to check. My checked baggage was actually opened and searched. I don’t know what they were expecting to find in there, but they quickly handed it back and wished me a good trip. I am still wondering what came up on the screen to make me look like a terrorist! After checking in, we went straight for the next security check point, which was for carry-on luggage and walking through the giant metal detector things. We didn’t have to show our liquids or take off our shoes. I found that slightly ironic since this was stuff we’d have with us and our other baggage that was so intensely searched was checked and underneath the plane. We all made it through security and only one person was “patted-down” and searched: “Hot” Rob.
We had less than an hour to wait until we boarded the plane. Most of us wandered around; a few of us bought food. I wanted a Coke; Troy Terry wanted an ice cream cone from McDonald’s. So we set off together. I got my coke. Troy got us both ice cream cones. I was good to go!
The plane ride wasn’t awful – only about two hours. And I was blessed to sit by the great Dr. Chadwick and his wife. We had such a wonderful flight. I want to sit by them all the time now. Sister Chadwick is hilarious. We were constantly laughing and always talking. Dr. Chadwick commented on how strange it is when two strangers meet and become the best of friends. I think we may have scared him just a little bit, but at least we were having fun! She reminds me a little bit of my mom, actually. She is full of life and the world of fun. The Chadwick’s actually determined that if I were to dye my hair black, get tattoos, and dress more Goth-like, I would resemble Abby from the TV show, N.C.I.S. I don’t see it but the Chadwick’s swear that I look just like her! It looks like I have my Halloween costume for the next year all picked out. That was easy.
Istanbul is just as beautiful as I remember it. The sea, the parks, the trees, the architecture – it is one beautiful city. We arrived at The Cartoon Hotel at eight o’clock in the evening. It definitely was not a five-star hotel but it was decent. My roommate was Elise Beckstead. (She continued to be my roommate for our entire stay in Turkey.) It was really nice to get to know her better!
We didn’t eat dinner until 8:30p in the hotel restaurant. Metas, cheeses, meat, dessert, and more: it was delicious. It also took close to two hours to finish eating! Those dang Europeans. . . I played Monopoly Deal with Robert Hickman, Troy Terry, and Kymberly Stone after dinner. And guess what? I WON! I had to reddem myself after my horrifying defeat in Chinese Checkers the night before. The evening ended with a discussion on boys and great anticipation for what the days to come would hold.
I am in Turkey. Gobble, gobble, gobble.
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