Tonight was our farewell dinner. It was supposed to take place just a few hours before we left for the airport. However, our flight has been canceled and we are on a different flight that doesn't leave until TOMORROW night. ;(

Anyway, we had a nice dinner with faculty/staff/spouses. Here is a long view.

 

 

 Then the cooks brought in this wonderful cake that they had made just for us. :)

THEN we had 4 students play a wonderful violin piece for us. I'm hoping that someone took a picture, since we apparently didn't. And THEN all of the students opened up the Shekel Shack window and out poured balloons. More students dumped balloons from above us. They were cheering and chanting "Jacksons". Totally unexpected and SO sweet!

 

Here Tawfic is handing me an ax [on the right side of the picture] - I'm wondering why???

I found out as 2 students "rode" in on a Harley piñata.

 

These 2 girls, Amy and Victoria, spent all week working on this piñata! Plus, they made us a card that everyone signed. Here we are with our bats ready to whack! Kent is also holding a night stick or something, that Tawfic handed him. [to go with the ax?]

Then they blindfolded the two of us - I put the ax down - and we whacked a good amount until we finally broke the piñata. Confetti and candy every where. I'm hoping someone sends us pictures.

This is our ANE professor, Ed Stratford. Tawfic gave him some spiked brass knuckles so he was popping all of the balloons. I'm still wondering why Tawfic had all these "tools?" in his back pack! :)
Anyway, it was such a happy surprise and we feel very loved.
Now we have to find someway to fill up tomorrow.

Here is the aftermath - but the students cleaned it up!! The other amazing thing about this is that the students are in the middle of finals and are very stressed. That they would take time to do this for us is so awesome! AAAGH - I'm going to miss this place! [cry, sniffle]

 

 

 

Light in Jerusalem festival

Each year Jerusalem has a festival of light in the Old City. We went this year. There are 3 different routes marked by colored rope lights to guide you from spot to spot. They also give you a map. It was very crowded, but lots of fun. There were about 25 different displays. We didn't see all of them but here are my favorites:

 

Flowers

Prima Ballerina - she twirled and changed color.

 

I think the next two were my favorite. The site was called "Garden of my Dreams". All of the lights and projections worked around the arches on this building. It was cool.

"Stained glass windows" on the ceiling of the cardo:

 

 This was a connector street between 2 routes.

 

 This is the Damascus gate and the title is "The Tree of Life":

We passed by Shaban's shop on the way and he was on his way home, so we gave him a ride. Very nice evening!

Turkey, last day, day 7

Day 7 begins in Iznik - ancient Izmir, where the Nicean council took place. First we visited the Hagia Sophia - not THE Hagia Sophia, but another one. It is part church and part mosque.

 

 

 The carpeted are is the mosque part:

 

 

Then we take a lovely walk down to the water which is the site of Constantine's palace. There we discuss the Nicean creed and the truths WE know about the Godhead and God's plan for us because of the restoration of the gospel. It is a beautiful setting for some inspiring words.

 

 

 

 

 

We head back to Istanbul today, so we take a ferry back to the European side. I always love the ferry rides. :)

 

 

 

The only official stop today is THE Hagia Sophia. Of course of utmost importance is a restroom stop. Want to know where the ladies' restroom is?

Follow the line:

 

Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom." It was originally an orthodox church. When the Ottoman's conquered Istanbul they converted it into a mosque. Today, it is a museum.

Down below these people are some remains from the Christian church.

 

 This is the ceiling above the entrance to the rotunda:

 

This marks the Center of the World - Istanbul in the Hagia Sophia. Who knew? ;)

 

 This column capital is a mix of corinthian [leaves] style and ionic [scrolls] style:

 

This photo shows the interesting mix between Islam and Christian beliefs. Fortunately, the Turks did not destroy the Christian paintings, only plastered over them - which preserved them. :)

 

Beautiful window:

 

 The Sultan's box where he could come to pray and worship and be protected from assasins:

 

 View of main level from second level:

 

Beautiful preserved mosaics:

 

 

 

After the Hagia Sophia closes we have 2+ hours of free time. Kent and I went to see some Sultan tombs next door. The tiles, windows, and woodwork inside each were breathtaking!

 

Tomb #1:

 

 

 Ceiling:

 

Windows and tiles:

 The tombs:

 

 

Tomb # 2:

 Tile work:

 

Windows:

From the outside:

 

 Tomb #3:

 

Carved shutters: 

 

 Windows, tiles, awesomeness!

 

After our lovely tour of the tombs, we just wandered some fun streets, bought some ice cream, and sat in a park! In the past we've done some shopping - not so much anymore - we'd have to figure out where to put it once we got home!

 

 

This is the street we walk up to get to our restaurant for our last dinner in Turkey. Lots of fun!

 

What is NOT fun is the rest of the trip. We get to the airport around 9:00 pm. Our flight leaves at 12:55 am and by the time we land, get our luggage, go through passport control, and drive back to the Center - it is 4:00 am! AAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Can you say "brain dead"? Is it worth it? Ask me in a couple of weeks. :)