Settling In

Good morning, Adana! I have just woken up to my first morning in my new room here in Adana. I was, if you can believe it, actually glad to leave the beach yesterday; I was ready to be here, at my new home, and to settle in - put my things away, acquaint myself with my home for the next nine and a half months.

I feel so luxurious as I lie here in bed typing - thank goodness for wireless internet! The apartment here is wonderful, though so different from my home back in Birmingham. We are on the 9th floor of an apartment building in the center of Adana. Out my window I can see dozens of other apartment buildings surrounding us, as well as tennis courts and basketball courts (which should be fun to use!), a school, and, of course, a giant picture of Ataturk and the Turkish flag hanging on the school building. No view of Turkey would be complete without that!

I had my first true Adana kebap last night when we arrived! I went with my family to a small restaurant just down the street, which was packed with people, as the daily Ramadan fasting had just ended. The kebap was absolutely delicious - I am definitely a fan of Turkish cuisine. Everything I've eaten here is so good!

Athough I am enjoying settling in here, we leave tomorrow to visit my host uncle in Kaysere, a city right in Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish). I am really looking foward to traveling there; Kapadoya is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous! It also has a very long and interesting history. Google it if you are curious. My büyük baba (grandfather) has told me that we will go on a hot air balloon ride over the area! I can't wait!

I will write more later, for it is breakfast time now, and I don't want to miss out on more delicious Turkish food!