Family and Friend Come to Visit!

I was so fortunate to have the whole family come visit me in Istanbul! Despite the fact that they came from my cousin's wedding in Arkansas through Memphis and DC and Zurich, they made it to Istanbul for a 6 day visit! Unfortunately I was only able to see a little of them the first few days because of class... I also may have misinformed them about the weather which went from being quite warm the week before to cold and rainy the first few days they visited. Sarah was not pleased.

Fortunately the weather was beautiful for their last two days and we took a boat cruise up to see the Black Sea and a second ferry ride over to the Prince's Islands, which are located about an hour and a half off the coast. We also spent time visiting Dolmabache Palace, sitting in Ortakoy playing backgammond and drinking tea, walking down the streets of Taksim, and shopping at the Grand Bazar!

One of my best friends Kate also came from London to spend the weekend in the city and was adopted into the fam!


Picture Time...

A woman hand-making a Turkish Rug at the store where my parents bought a new rug!

View from "Istanbul 360" where I went for dinner with the parents and my two roommates Joe and Stephan! I definitely ate much better this week with my family in town.

View of the Prince's Islands! We took a horse carriage ride to the top where there were beautiful parks and wild flowers.

The opening to the Black Sea at the end of our Bophorous Cruise

Lights from the Grand Bazar -  Sarah got one for her room!

Mom surprised Sarah, my friend Kate and me with Easter baskets at my apartment!

Beautiful last day exploring campus

After my family left I had one more day with my friend Kate before she headed back to London. It was the most beautiful day that we have had in Istanbul and, despite the crazy amount of tourists due to spring break, we loved walking around the historic peninsula where the flowers were out in full bloom!

I took both my parents and Kate (on separate occasions) to my favorite fish sandwich man down by the waterfront!

So thankful to have such as wonderful week with family and friends! Loved every minute of it!