Turkeyless Turkey and Taking Taksim

Since coming back from Bayram vacation I've had some major withdrawal, especially as regards not seeing that group of friends 24/7 anymore (although I still see them all the time). This weekend has started out pretty busy, though, so it feels easier to get back into the rhythm.

Thursday we actually celebrated Thanksgiving! And although there were no Turkish turkeys to be found, it was really wonderful. We just had a potluck with most of the people from CIEE as well as quite a few Erasmus students and a couple Turkish mentors. There was so. much. food.

• 16 chickens
• 4 pans of mashed potatoes
• 60 deviled eggs (part of which was my contribution)
• 2 big bowls of candied carrots
• candied squash
• a huge pan of sweet corn
• 4 pans of apple crumble
• 2 small cheesecakes
• 4 small carrot cakes
• 1/2 a giant chocolate cake
• 1 ladybug cake
• 1 big bowl of homemade caramel popcorn
• 1 big bowl of cooked apples
• 1 small apple pie
• ~30 people to attempt unsuccessfully to eat it all

and that's only what I can remember off the top of my head. Before eating we all held hands around the circle and said what we're thankful for :D

Yesterday CIEE organized a retreat for us. Only about half of the people on the program came. It was interesting. It was lead by our three CIEE staff as well as a psychologist. One of the activities we did was to split into two groups, one of engineers who were going to build a bridge in "Bubbleland" and the other of local "Bubblelanders". As engineers we had to come to Bubbleland and work with the locals to build the bridge (between two chairs using cardboard). However, the Bubblelanders had some very specific social customs and norms, such as specific greetings, and couldn't speak English. Nevertheless, we overcame these difficulties and literally (and figuratively lol yay!) built a bridge. At other points in the day we also thought about our relationship to the abroad experience before coming, over the first few days, at the present, and upon returning home and made collages for each of these four periods. Before going home Nathan Johnson, Ivy and I also waded briefly into the FREEZING Black Sea (the beach was right next to the place where we had the retreat).

For the evening we had some serious going-out-to-Taksim plans. There was also a big double-birthday going on that we were hoping to coincide with at least at some point. We started off the night at Baba Ali for drinks, then went to Riddim to dance but we were literally the only ones on the dance floor. I didn't mind that at all, but my friends had more drink-centered plans than I and weren't happy with the exorbitant prices so we left. At this point we by chance met up with the double-birthday gang and went with them to a club called The Lion (I think). This was fun cause there was a live band playing pop hits like Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga. Of course, they weren't nearly as good as the original but it was really fun to hear these super familiar songs with a slightly different sound. This place was REALLY crowded and there were all kinds of Koc exchange students. We went nuts and it was so much fun.

Today, it's just going to be hitting the books :) It will be nice to take it easy. What with Thanksgiving, I really miss home! Much love to everyone.