Whirlwind Update

EGYPT
I really didn't see or do much in Egypt, but it was still a good port. I was on duty the second day in port, which puts a kink in any significant travel plans. I ventured out with a faculty member to visit the Bibliotec Alexandria -- new library built in celebration of the historical significance of the library which once existed here. It's a breathtaking building! If I lived in Alexandria, it would be one of my places to escape. We didn't have time to sit around, however, I was told the coffee shop in the Bibliotec is one of the best in the city, too. I did make it to Cairo, walked along the Nile River and visited the Pyramids and the Sphinx at the nightly light show. This is definitely a country I will need to return to for a closer look.

TURKEY -- Day 1 Istanbul
We arrived in Istanbul two days ago. I fell in love with the city by the end of day 1. Megan and I wandered about in the old part of the city on the European side where many of the major tourist attractions are found. We didn't have a map, so we had no idea which direction we should be heading to find any of them. Thankfully, a kind Turkish man stopped to ask if we needed any assistance and walked us all the way to the Blue Mosque. I always hope that Americans are doing the same for "lost" travelers in the USA, however, I am not sure this is true most of the time. Neither Megan nor I are fans of standing in lines when there are so many other things to be doing, so we took photos of the outside of the Blue Mosque and found other sites to visit. From the photos I have seen of the interior of the Blue Mosque, I believe my experience at The Grand Mosque in Oman out-classed this one anyway. The most surprising part of the day was walking through the Grand Bazaar and not being harassed every half step by an eager salesman. Only one person tried to sell us a rug the entire time we passed through the building. Part of the Grand Bazaar was originally horse stables for the Ottoman Empire.

Day 2 Istanbul
Lara, music professor, and I took the public ferry on the Bosphorus River. It's a fairly cheap and low-key way to see a good bit of the area. Most of the folks I know have been feeling a bit under the weather the past few days (my first stomach issues of the voyage), so this was a good way to be out without extending ourselves too much. It's much colder in Instanbul than it has been during the rest of our voyage. It is almost as if someone pulled a lever as we crossed the Mediterrannian to switch from summer to late autumn. Of course, those of us from colder areas of the U.S. are perfectly content with these autumn temperatures. The southern California crew is suffering.

Day 3 Istanbul
This morning I sent off my law school applications. I am still waiting on some of my letters of recommendation, but I have faith they will be submitted shortly. Unfortunately, their delay may result in me not receiving confirmation of my status until much later in the admissions process. It's a huge weight off my shoulders to know I have completed everything I need to do.

I was suppose to be in Ephesus today, but due to recent illnesses my travel partner and I decided to skip out on that trip. So, now I am not sure what I will do with myself today. This is the pleasure of being in a major city (20 million people in Istanbul) ,though, the options are endless.