I just called to say i love you...

My number in Turkey in case anyone feels like calling to tell me they love me :)

90-513-813-1231

Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

Istanbul

The 40 degree weather in Cairo finally encouraged me to tear myself away and head to Turkey.  Istanbul- what a beautiful city! The historical sites and thriving metropolis are sure to impress.  However, I am slightly irritated I have to start learning another new language.  I have really enjoyed learning Arabic and recently discovered my Arabic is much better than my French!  Istanbul has also taught me that I am a total nerd.  I took about 100 pictures of bridges and boats... 

You may be interested to know Turkey is the military superpower in the Middle East- arguably second only to the USA in the world.  It is said if Israel was tempted to start anything with their neighbours they would have to answer to Turkey too (but of course Israel has the USA backing them).  On that note, some believe the Arab Uprising is making Israel nervous.  Alongside the Pro-Palestinian demonstrations inside Israel, Palestine and across the Middle East, there have been some significant events such as Egypt opening the border to Gaza. 

So what about Egypt? If the Egyptian Revolution fails, it could be devastating for all other Arab nations who seek change.  Everyone is watching and waiting to see what will happen in Egypt- so Egyptians know they must do this right.  First, a new constitution written by a committee representing the people, then a new president.  Although the Muslim Brotherhood may have been the only organized group after the fall of the National Democratic Party they are clearly not the favourite to succeed Mubarak.  Religious practices determining government policy is over.

As Egypt enjoys the splendours of the Revolution, Syria is clearly suffering.  Assad is definitely a sick bastard who is lying to the world when he says the anti-government demonstrators are a minority terrorizing the country.  The “pro-government” demonstrations are quite likely made up of people who were forced and threatened to show government support.  Hopefully I will learn more about this the closer I get to the Syrian border- where thousands have fled to refugee camps in Turkey.

Below you will see some truly amazing sights from Istanbul, but these are only the best of the best.  I had to pick and choose because Istanbul is expensive!  Sorry the posts are getting so long, hopefully the pictures will appease my ADD friendsJ.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie

ISTANBUL- Boshorus Bridge linking Europe and Asia

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

TOPKAPI PALACE

AYA SOPHIA

AYA SOPHIA

AYA SOPHIA

AYA SOPHIA- a mosaic



AYA SOPHIA

BLUE MOSQUE

BLUE MOSQUE

BLUE MOSQUE

BLUE MOSQUE

GRAND BAZAAR

SULEYMANIYE CAMII

SULEYMANIYE CAMII

SULEYMANIYE CAMII

SULEYMANIYE CAMII

The simple things that make me smile...

I am aware of how fortunate I am to be on this trip and try not to take it for granted.  That may be why the differences between here and home usually make me giggle instead of making me frustrated.  Below are some things that make me laugh on a regular basis...

• The man who bangs on the steel pot at 7am each morning announcing he has gas for sale has good rhythm (and good lungs!)...
• Egyptians use hissing/psssttting to get your attention- it is not meant to be scary, sexual or intimidating.  They hiss at babies to get them to look, ladies to get their attention, pedestrians to warn them of a cyclist heading the wrong direction down the street...
•  If you want to befriend an Egyptian or make a good impression just say something nice about their country.  “Anna baheb Misr” (I love Egypt) and you will hear “Egypt loves you!”  They are so welcoming.  Actually, "Welcome to Egypt" is a popular phrase I never get tired of it.
• Driving in Egypt is a never ending practice of merging.  You can do anything you like so long as you merge your way into/through the traffic.  Same goes for pedestrians.  No one stops for anyone- you just have to merge yourself in the direction you want to go....
• Everyone has an uncle in Canada- or so I`m told daily.  Interesting...
• Street touts seem to have their specific zones.  If someone starts talking to me and I am not interested in their attempt to befriend me (they have so many ways, they are ingenious really) I am polite but keep walking.  At a certain point they stop walking but continue trying to talk to me in hopes I will stop walking too.  Eventually when their shouts out to me do not elicit a response they move on to someone else.  Hehehe.
• Street touts are also gossip whores.  I think all of downtown Cairo knows where I am at any given time, where I’ve been that day, how long I’ve been in Cairo, where I am from....One day a street tout was asking me the usual “what’s your name, where you from” and all I said was Carrie and  Canada.  He started to ask if I like living in Calgary- his uncle lives there don’t you know- but not once did I mention Calgary.  Disturbing, no, it`s and Egyptian thing... 
• People tell me they love me every day.  Strange men of course, but it is nice nonetheless.

Below are some pics from my trip to Alexandria as well as a Bedouin music performance.  Alex is a nice city on the Mediterranean but still authentically Egyptian J.  The disc-shaped building is part of the famed library.  I fly to Istanbul next week so I will have some more exciting visuals soon.  Thinking of home but happily abroad,

Carrie