Final Day in Istanbul
(Thursday, 09 November 2006) Written by Keith Rhoades
Well this is my last day and night in Istanbul.  Last night Oktay was too tired to go out..but Charles wanted to...I am finally able to pronounce his name..but not spell it!  It was a wonderful night... We went to the store...I b ought soda and he bought beer and we took it down to the Bosphorous Walk way and sat and talked for about 4 hours.  It was beautiful...the moon was reflecting off the bosphorous as well as the lights of the city.   We talked about all kinds of topics, our jobs, family, religion, etc.   He was telling me about his girlfriend and how he wants to break up with her because she is very conservative Muslim and he is an atheist..and they have fights all the time about it.   We did not get home until about 2:30 in the morning.  His birthday is coming up Nov. 30....and we both are Sagittarius! This morning I slept late and it was Ataturk day...everything shuts down at 9:05 AM for 5 minutes..the busses, stores, etc.  It is the anniversary of his death date.  I then went on a boat cruise of the Bosphorous, which was very interesting and relaxing.   I came home early today...and rested for about 5 hours.....took a nap, packed my bags, and just relaxed.   I just had a bite to eat and stopped to check emails and write you folks....I will now go have coffee and wait for Oktay and Charles to get home from work.  They are very happy I am staying an extra day because they want to go out on Friday night to some of the Turkish dance clubs...I too am looking forward to that..except that my bus leaves at 5:30 am tomorrow...so perhaps I will not sleep tonight and just sleep on the 5 hour bus ride to Canakkale. Most of the Turks I have met are ecstatic about the results of the elections and Rumsfelds resignation and some of them have said it has restored their faith in the American people after the 2004 elections.   Well, since today was not as busy...the email is a bit short.  I hope all is well with you and hopefully I will be able to write from canakkale tomorrow.
Keith
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