Bursa Inik - Istanbul

Started the day out in Bursa where we ended the day yesterday. We went had lunch in a beautiful place -- the Botanic Garden Iskender Restaurant. Saw my first dervish; good looking chap as the Brits would say. He was totally smitten with my new friend Ilene who is tall, black and beautiful. He followed her all over the place. The Botanic Gardens were wonderful. We sat outside under a grape arbor at a long table covered with a white cloth and sliver utensils. Food was excellent. We then went to the Silk Market and helped the Turkish economy. Scarfs are incredible. Each store had their own designs and colors they specialized in. After that we went to see a shadow theater presentation. Interesting but we did not understand what they were saying. However, it was well done -- hand puppets on sticks -- amazing talent. While we did not understand what they were saying, they did explain the story to us so we could follow it somewhat.

This morning we left for Iznik or Nicaea We visited the Iznik Foundation for a presentation on Iszik tiles -- the people that run the foundation have reinstated the ancient art of tile making and are using the old methods and materials. Very interesting and the tiles are amazing. They had laid out on the table a set of tiles they were doing for a mosque in Mexico that was being restored. We then had lunch in their gardens -- again under a grape arbor with a long table and white cloth. All around us was the heady smell of roses. The garden was full of them. Iznik is by the Marmara Sea and is full of flowers and roses. We stopped by the former cathedral where the Council of Nicaea was held. It is in pretty poor condition but you could still see the murals. The Ottomans took the place over and turned it into a mosque.

More later. Off to dinner

Another day in Turkey

I finally got my camera back but had no internet last nigt in the 5 star hotel in Galilopi. So maybe I'll get some pictures up later tonight. We toured the Galilopi battlefield and cemetery yesterday and visited the museums. The entire peninsula is stunning. You can see the straights and see why the British and the Germans (and a lot of other folks) wanted to control this access point – including Jason and the Gold Fleece. We saw the wooden Trojan Horse used in the movie Troy. You only need to spend a short time here to realize how close everything is and why this area has been fought over for thousands of years. We are currently close to the border with Bulgaria (or Bulgaristan on most Turkish maps) and Greece. Amazing how close they are. No wonder they fought over this territory. We have visited numerous mosques and I am amazed at how beautiful they are. We saw one yesterday that used to be an orthodox church (many centuries ago) – the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. You could see the old church in the bones of the mosque. In fact this mosque is one of the only ones that has the name of both Ali and Mohammed written on the walls. It represents the non-religious nature of Turkey (almost in a sense a non-partisan view of religion). Earlier in the day we went to an old healing center which used music therapy – one of the professors at a local university who plays one of the old instrument met us there and played several sample music pieces for us – including as he said, one for the urinal!!!!

Fascinating listening to it and we all felt refreshed when we left.

Guess I did not finish up Wednesday – after touring around Istanbul, going to the Grand Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia Museum, we ended the day by going to the Turkish Institute of Cooking and we cooked a wonderful Turkish meal – 5 courses. Food was wonderful. So when we have our international dinner I will be able to help out our Turkish fellow!!!

Before I end today I want to mention my colleagues on this trip. I was a little nervous about meeting them and spending 10 days traveling around Turkey with people I don't know. I am not really someone who travels with a group; much prefer one other person or alone But I have to say that these past days have been great and I have really enjoyed getting to know these folks. There are four college presidents – presidents of small colleges -- and several deans. In addition there are several others that are heads of programs. I have met and made several new friendships. They are a varied group, black, white, native American, men, women. We have all gotten along and it is fascinating to watch everyone maneuvering within the group.

Second Full Day in Istanbul

Why is it that people come to a meeting totally unprepared?  We met today at two Universities and had presentations from 3.  At the first one (we had to leave the hotel at 8am) they had a very formal set up.  Reminded me of the meetings the old Soviet Union used to have.  Flowers on the tables, mikes, coffee/tea/water at each place and a plate of cookies.  The woman who made the presentation was nervous, she read from the slides which had way too many words on them, and kept sighing.  It was horrible. And this was from a University that focuses on technology. We then got on the bus and went to the Turkish Cultural Foundation where we met with representatives from three universities.  One was very prepared and very professional.  The other two did not have cards nor did they have materials and all they did was read from their slides.  Poor poor presentations. We then when to the spice market.  What a hoot that place was.  We  basically rebelled and told the folks running the trip no more, we need to shop and we need to walk and we need down time. So we went to the.  After that we took a boat to the Asian side of Istanbul.  Much more residential.  I liked it better.  We went to a local artist that specializes in marble art. After watching her we all took a turn at creating our own marble art.  We then took the boat back to the European side and had dinner at another University.  This one was done right.  No power points just a few remarks of welcome, good wine, good food, good company.  We all were moaning about how tired we were and were dragging into the place.  But moods quickly changed when we were taken to the top floor of one of the buildings to the faculty club for dinner.  Once up there we discovered it overlooked the Bosporus and we watched the sun set over the Bosporus.  Absolutely stunning.  No wonder they call it the Golden Horn!!!  The President of the University came and sat next to us and we discovered he spends his spare time (?) writing mystery novels and have had two published that are best sellers.  He is working on a third.  Unfortunately they are only in Turkish.
We had a wonderful evening. 

FIrst impressions

Often times first impressions can be right and other times wrong.  My first impression of the Swiss was not a favorable one; I had a lay over in Zurich and the people I had contact with there were rude and unfriendly and very anti-American.  The Turks on the other hand have been wonderful.  It sure was great getting off the plane in Istanbul have having someone meet me and drive me to the hotel.  Unfortunately, I got in too late to go to a traditional Turkish bath.  I understand from those who did go it was wonderful. We meet at 6pm attend a dinner cruise on the Bosporus.   This was the first opportunity I had to meet my fellow travelers and they are a great group of folks. There were additional guests on the cruise, including the President of Koc University and his wife.  The cruise was superb and cruising on the Bosporus was an adventure.  I am gong to enjoy the next week.  The good news is that we are not due to leave until 10am tomorrow morning.  One quote from the night's discussion:  America is a one sentence country we never get to the second sentence.


It is day 2 now and I am exhausted.  Even thought we did not leave until 10am we did not get back until 10:45pm  We first went to the Topkapi Palace and spent several hours touring it.  We then had lunch at a restaurant on the Palace grounds.  After that we went to the Blue Mosque.  All in all we walked over 5 miles and the legs feel it.  We then stopped by the Hippodrome.  We were supposed to go back to the hotel and clean up before we went to dinner but we were running late so went directly to Koc University.  The family who has funded the University is connected with Ford and Apple so they have a large foundation of money to spend.  It is a relatively new University but very impressive. They had the dinner set up around the swimming pool and it was delicious.  It was a typical Turkish meal with lots of wine and Ratki.  They also had traditional music and dance.

Istanbul is a city of 15 million and believe me they are all out on the street at all hours of the day.  Traffic is horrendous.  I was going to post pictures but I left my camera at the university.  They are going to try to get it back for me.  I sure hope so as there are many pictures on it from this trip and from last week.

More later.  Tomorrow we leave at 8:15am

First impressions

First impressions are always important and I have to say my first impression of people in Zurich was not favorable.  Every one I came into contact with was unfriendly and very anti-American.  But my first impression of Istanbul is completely different.  Everyone I have run into has been friendly and helpful.  Different cultures different reactions.  The trip over was uneventful.  I broke down and upgraded my ticket to premium economy, which used to be the regular economy before they downsized the seats and the leg room. It was worth it as I was exhausted from last week's seminar and the extra leg room allowed me to stretch out.  Of course the fact that the seat in the middle was empty helped.  Flew United and it wasn't a bad airline.  I was met at the airport by a representative of the Turkish Cultural Foundation and they brought me to the Hyatt Hotel -- It is quite a place. My additional first impressions of Istanbul is that it is crowded and full of live.  Traffic was almost bumper to bumper all the way in from the airport.  We are on a river cruise tonight.  But first I am going to take a nap and then have a shower.

RNC Women's Summit

What a week it has been. Drove up to Danville to my friend Martha's parent's home Tuesday night where I spent the night. Martha and I left Danville at 7am so that we could get to Leesburg by noon to attend a First Ladies Luncheon. The first ladies were were the wife of the current gov and Lt. gov and Susan Allen the wife a George who was only a U.S. Senator but also a gov. of Virginia. It was a lovely affair and it was nice to meet a large number of women who are active in Va politics. We then drove to our hotel in Alexandra where we met up with to other women. Nancy has started the Conservative Women Forum which is a wonderful on-line web site. And Cathy is running for a NC house seat. We went into DC for a reception at the Capitol Hill Club sponsored by Cong. John Boehner. Saw old friends and met new ones. It sure was nice being in a room full of conservative women. We had dinner at the Club with some ladies from the new North Mecklenburg club. Great meeting them and spending time with them.

Thursday was wonderful. There were more "take aways" from this summit than the one last year. The workshops held in the afternoon were excellent. Enjoyed listening and learning from Gentry Collins, Todd Hermann and of course the dynamic threesome of former spouses.

Cathy, Nancy, Martha and I went to dinner that night at a small neighborhood restaurant in Alexandria, ate too much but it was so good. But we made up for it by walking for 3 miles after dinner. Friday drove back to Winston.

Be able to spend a day with women around the US comparing notes and attitudes was wonderful. The concerns I have about the direction of this nation was shared by others. We discussed the problems we are faced with and how we are going to solve them. We also talked about what we were going to do to change the course this country is on. We all agreed that there are a large number of good candidates out there who have a good chance to win this Nov. It is just going to take a lot of hard work. We also all are becoming very irate about every time we criticize the President we are called racists. In addition, the fact that the Gov. of Az signed a bill into law that calls for the enforcement of US law is not a reason to call people that support her racists. It is a simple law that does not call for profiling. Just for enforcement of the law. Why is it that someone who comes to this country illegally breaking US law is considered a victim and people who oppose illegal immigration is called a racist?

Spent the rest of Friday and early Sat. morning packing again and doing laundry for the trip to DC. I am spending a week in DC at the Washington Center's seminar on national security and terrorism. Should be great. Then next Sat. I get on a flight to Turkey for 10 days.

I am going to try to spend time each evening discussing the days events. This should be a very interesting and educational week.

End of the Semester

It's the end of the semester, finals are finished, and grades turned in. I am always sad the end of the spring semester as there are a number of students that are graduating and won't be back in the fall. I am happy for them and thrilled at their future, but none the less I will miss them. Moved my office yesterday and today from the 3rd floor to the 4th. I will get plenty of aerobic exercise going up and down those stairs. Jessica, my trainer, really worked me today, which is a good thing. Am busy working on BFTF and trying to get ready for my three adventures coming up this month. The first starts Wednesday when several of us travel to Leesburg, Va, to attend a luncheon for the "first lady" of Virginia. Then on to our hotel in Alexandra for, hopefully, a short nap before we go into to the Capitol Hill Club for a reception hosted by Cong. John Boehner. Then we will be at the J.W. Marriott all of Thursday at an RNC Women's summit. Last years was wonderful -- 300 women from every state in the US and wonderful speakers. This year should be even better. Then Friday back to Winston overnight to pick up my bags for my trip back to DC. I will be a faculty leader in the Washington Center's Seminar on Terrorism. The line up of speakers is amazing and so are the site visits. I am really excited about this seminar. I have been in contact with most of the students in my small group and they are a varied bunch. More men than women but that would be expected given the topic. Once that seminar is finished on the 21st I have to get grades in as I leave from Dulles on the 22nd to go to Turkey for 10 days. This also will be an amazing trip. I return on the 1st of June in time to really put my nose to the grindstone to prepare for the BFTF Fellows who arrive July 3rd. I plan on blogging my experiences in DC and Turkey. And perhaps add some pictures.