My Trip

So last weekend we went to the outdoor swimming pool on campus.

To use the swimming pool you have to go to one building to get a ticket, and then go to a building next door, to use the pool.
Once you get to the pool building you had your ticket to the front desk and walk through the change rooms to get to the rooftop pool.

Usually we just wear our bathing suits under our clothes and rush through the change rooms to get chairs at the pool (they tend to go fast).

Last weekend though, as we reached the pool, and I swear we just walked up so it was like 30 seconds, the lifeguard walks by and says that we cant wear out clothes to the pool and we have to take them off well, immediately.

Although I waited until I got my chair and what not, before taking off my clothes, we thought this was definately a little strange.

I have yet to write about my trip two weekends ago! So, here I go:

PAMUKKALE

So we went to go see the cotton castle aka Pamukkale.
Its really tough to try to describe this place, but Ill do my best.
When you walk to Pamukkale you start off by taking your shoes off.
Then you can climb up this large hill which is covered in minerals and flowing water and hot springs and thermal pools. The weird thing is that it looks like snow, but its definately not. The climb is really scratchy on your feet. And on the way up you can walk through and chill in the thermal pools.
When we were there it was also repulsively hot.
So to solve this problem we were classy gals and changed into bathing suits halfway up Pamukkale (using towels as walls).

As soon as you get to the top of Pamukkale, there are a whole bunch of ruins to check out. And of course they would be strategically placed to cover as large a surface area as possible so you die in the heat.

Now, the first set of ruins we come upon, have like no tourists, or security guards, so we decided it would be a great idea to start climbing them! So, we are all chilling and climbing all over these ruins. We reach the top of the ruins and start enjoying the view when all of a sudden we hear this loud siren. It appears that climbing on the ruins is not allowed, and these two guards on a motorcycle are pointing to us, and shouting (most likely for us to get down, but not knowing much Turkish, this is only an assumption). Of course, we all scatter and bolt down the ruins as fast as we can. And as we reach the bottom, the motorcycle turns around and drives off.
The greatest part of this story is that when we continued on to the rest of the ruins, we realized there was a sign BEHIND what we just climbed saying 'Danger, Dont Climb'.

Anyways, we walked around the ruins. Then we left to the bus station office to catch a shuttle to our next destination. Entering the bus station office, we come across two employees. Now, these employees were probably about 10-11 years old. And not lying to you, they were running the show. They called to see if our shuttle was coming, we saw one sell a ticket, and then when a bus came to collect passengers he was giving orders to the adult bus driver. So, we trusted the kids and got to our next location, which after a couple of buses was a small village outside of Izmir.

Now, the reason we are staying in this village is because one of our Turkish friends had offered to take us that weekend, and he sent up host families to take us in so we wouldnt have to pay for accomadation.
We arrived in this village probably around 1100 pm. And we have taken probably 3 buses. So we are all pretty tired.
However, our friend offers to take us to a circumcision ceremony. So we go and dance around abit. And when it gets late we attempt to contact our host families. Unfortuantely most of them bail on us. So me and the ladies on the trip stay at our Turkish friends place

EPHESUS

The next day we go to ephesus.
Theres a lot of ruins.
It was really hot.
We spent about 2 hours at a restaurant to avoid the heat.
We return to the village in the evening.
We go drinking in the village.

IM ON A BOAT

The next day we go on a 7 hour boat trip on the Aegean sea. So much FUN!
The boat stops at these really cool beaches, and you get to jump of the boat and swim around the sea.
On of the beaches had a mud bath.
The Turkish people on our boat would dance and drink.
All around good fun was had.

OUR AMAZİNG RACE MOMENT

After the boat trip we returned to the village for a quick meal before leaving for the bus station office to catch a shuttle to the bus station. So, we had asked our Turkish friend what time we should leave to catch out 1010 pm shuttle. He said 900 pm. He was wrong.
The dolomus from his village to the bus station office was stuck in traffic for a long time. At 1000 pm we realized there was no way we were going to catch this shuttle. Plus, we never stopped in Izmir so we didnt know the city at all (in other words we didnt know how to get to the bus station office where the shuttle takes off, or the bus station). As we discussed our options on the bus, we got the attention of all the other passengers. So figuring out how we could catch our bus became a group bus effort. What we were told was that there was no way to catch the shuttle and we would have to take a taxi which should be about 40 lira. So we arrived at the bus station office at probably 1020ish. The office was closed, the shuttle was gone, but luckily the guy closing it was still outside when we arrived. He helped us flag down a taxi. At this moment in time we had approximately one hour to catch our bus. The rate the traffic was going was not looking good either. Plus we needed a second taxi because there was so many of us. Eventually we got another taxi and hit the road. Unfortunately the two taxi drivers had different feelings about our situation.

CAB 1 (not the cab Im in) -- was super excited to drive fast and wanted to do his best to get us to the bus station on time. I call him speed demon.

CAB 2 (my cab) -- indifferent about the situation.

At one point, Cab 1 slowed down to chat to Cab 2 in the middle of the highway between rolled down windows. Again, with the lack of Turkish knowledge, I can only make assumptions as to what we was saying. However I think it was something like 'hurry your ass up'.

Of course, Cab's 2 carelessness meant that Cab 1 sped off without us.
On top of that, our meter had just reached 40 lira, which according to the people on our bus, should have meant we should have arrived at the station already. As our meter slowly rised, we decided we should attempt to speak to the driver to see if

A) We where close to the station

B) If we could go faster.

The conversation went something like this:

Us -- ne kadar otogar? (how far, bus station)

Cab driver -- nothing

Us -- pardon?

Cab driver -- nothing

So we give up. Our meter rises. Our time becomes limited.
Then we hit a construction zone with a speed limit of 30 km.
Great.

Luckily, that construction zone was close to the station.
We arrive at the bus station at 1115pm.
Had enough time to spend my last 50 kurus to use the bathroom before the bus.
Snipe.

While in Amasra, we definitely wanted to check out the nightlife.
Luckily we had the perfect predrinking location--In our hotel, we got the highest two rooms so that we had access to the rooftop balcony. The view from this balcony included the beach and a good chunk of the city. Luckily from the rooftop we could also see a neon light sigh reading DISCO. In other words, our plans for the evening unfolded perfectly.
After drinking plenty of vodka, we headed to the disco at around 1130pm. The disco is open-air which is an added bonus.
We pay 5 lira to get in, but with the 5 lira goes towards a free drink coupon. So not a shabby situation. After getting our free(ish) beers, we head to the dance floor which is not as full as we like. Actually, the whole disco is not as full as we like. On top of that, the dance floor is located in the center of the disco with tables all around. So the situation is kinda like this--everyone sitting is awkwardly watching everyone dancing.
However, nobody is bother by this, and we continue to dance.
Now at this point this is where things are a little strange.
As we are dancing, we realize there are children dancing on the dance floor as well. And when I mean children, I mean that I was shaking my booty next to a group of say 7 year-olds.
And next to this group of 7 year-olds, is a group of what looks like some 20 year-olds (who are rocking dancers by the way...lıike honesly...best dancers Ive seen).
And nope.
We learn they are 16-18?
However, thanks to alcohol nobody cared and we danced till the disco closed.

Right now Im pretty tired so Ill finish this tomorrow...

Okay. So.

The disco closes, but the night continues. Two of the gals on the trip are pretty juiced at this point, and decided they want to go and chill at the beach on the black sea. So, of course I decided to come along. They get followed by these guys they were dancing with, and start chatting with them on the beach. This gets me pretty bored, cuz the guys dont speak english and at this point I was not as intoxicated as I should have been. So, I notice a bonfire down the beach a little ways, and decide to investigate.

It was a group of Turkish kids drinking some brewskies and playing instruments and singing.
In other words, definately my scene.
So I introduce myself (thank you beginner Turkish class), and find one person who speaks english.
Eventually they get me a beer, and we are all having a good time.
And then those two chatty drunk girls start heading our way. At which point I would rather not kill the musicians vibe by introducing these drunk gals, and decide to leave.
It was a sad end to my night.

DAY TWO

The next night while predrinking the topic of what to do for the rest of the evening arises.
Of course the group consensus is go to the disco again (obviously the first night was considered a success).
We arrive at the disco, and the situation is about the same as last time...young-ins and all.
On top of that, most of the people that are there, are the same people for last night. So yes, we got to watch those really really amazing dancers yet again.
However, this time three things happen:

1) While getting our first set of drinks, the bartenders set the entire bar on fire and danced for us. Pretty cool.

2) For the whole night there was a man (who I assume worked at the disco) with a camera, that was taking pictures of us.

3) While dancing we came to the realization that we werent the only white people there (that sounds kinda rude, sorry). Obviously we investigated the situation....

It turns out that the group of guys are from Holland.
And they invite us to an after party at where ever they are staying.
So, the disco closes, and we start the walk to the after party. However, at this point, again, Im not as intoxicated as I should be, and definately get a little annoyed with these extremely drunk Holland men.
So I decided to leave the gongshow and go to bed.

The previous weekend, me and most of the exchange kids took a trip up to Amasra, a city on the Black Sea.
First and foremost:

THE BUS RIDE

So everytime we travel around Turkey, we use a bus company called kamil koc.
I suggest this company to anyone who travels wants to travel around Turkey cheaply and in luxury.

1) On the back of the seat in front of you, there is a tv screen which offers movies (mostly in Turkish but the rare one can be found in English), an assortment of music, a choice of two games, and the option of viewing a camera that is located in front of the bus so you can see the road in front of you. This last choice is not one I would suggest because at times it can be a bit terrifying to see the driving maneuvers performed by some of the Turkish drivers.

2) Very often a man will come up and down the aisle, in a similar fashion to a stewardess on an airplane, with a tray of goods. These goods include brownies, cookies, and crackers. He also brings you water, juice, pop, coffee, and tea.

3) They also serve ice cream.

In other words, greyhound get your act together.

LET ME BE A LITTLE CHEESY...

So, the road to Amasra was amazing!
It reminded me a lot of BC though. In other words it was very lush and green.
So, the cheesy bit..do you know when you're listening to your Ipod (or in my case my shitty MP3 player) and the perfect song comes on at the right moment. Well this is exactly what happened to me.
Our bus was going up this extremely narrow, windy, extremely steep hill that is surrounded by trees everywhere. To one side to the bus there is a cliff, and the other side a bit of road. As the bus is making this ascend, Sleeping Lessons by The Shins start playing.
Now if you dont know this song, I command you to download it immediately (it will change your life I swear--kudos for the Garden State reference) The intro is kinda quiet and slow, leaving you extremely curious for what is to come. Then it slowly speeds up (its an awesome crescendo). And this is exactly the feeling in that bus. You where slowly heading uphill, unable to see anything, but as the bus went higher you got more excited to see what was on the other end. And then right when the song breaks into this great little melody, we reached the top of the hill and the first thing you see is the Black Sea and this amazing beach town.
I thought that was pretty cool.
Anywho...

THE BEACH

So, when the bus survived the downhill part of said hill, we got off the bus and nobody had a clue where to go to get to our hotel. Nobody remember to google map that shit. (I never said we were the brightest crayons in the box)
So, we called the hotel, then asked a stranger. (Luckily our Turkish friend was with us)
And for the remainder of the day we were on the beach or playing volleyball in the black sea.

THE MAN WHO WE RENTED OUR CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS FROM

On the beach, you can rent chairs and umbrellas.
The man selling them was incredibly friendly.
Although there was a small language barrier (again, thankfully our Turkish friend was there to help).
Anyways, he gave us two gifts!

1) A seashell. It doesnt sound like much but it was kinda cool.

2) He made us all necklaces from lobster claws that are special to the Black Sea region (which he caught and ate) and evil eye charms. He said the necklaces where given only to good people. Yay!

Rather then studying how to conjugate Turkish verbs for our quiz, me and some of the other ladies on the exchange went to the campus rooftop swimming pool (~3TL).
We also happened to be in perfect viewing position to watch some Turkish boys (with very good-looking dreadlocks) juggling. They were extremely good.
Bliss.