Sunday, May 10, 2015

Visiting Soon

Cinco de Mayo did not pass unnoticed in this household.  We never miss an opportunity for chips and salsa.

We also did some fierce packing, because we are making our annual trip back to the States.  Here are five things you should know before I get to see you in person:

1. Don't ask when I'm moving home.  I already live at home.  My home is Doha.  I have worked extremely hard to create a support system and make Doha my home.

2. Don't you dare judge what I cram down my throat.  I have been dreaming of pulled pork sandwiches, mountain pizza, and margaritas.  It has been forever since I ate pork and anything you find in the cookie/chip aisle.  Let me eat it!  I need some running motivation anyway.

3. Don't be embarrassed if you don't know where the heck I'm talking about.  Let's look at a map.  I didn't know where these places were before I moved to this side of the globe.

4. Ask me questions.  I am happy to speak about my experiences and my every day life.  I'm not dodging bullets and worrying about my safety.  What you see on the news is rarely the whole story.

5. Don't be shocked when I'm pasty white.  I will not be tan.  Contrary to what this blog might lead you to believe, I actually have a job.  Most days I sit in an office hiding from the sun.

My inspiration for this post came from this awesome article:
http://theabudhabipta.com/2014/08/26/5-things-to-remember-when-your-expat-family-comes-home-for-the-summer/

Excited for hugs soon.  Happy mother's day to our awesome Moms and all the mama readers.  "Life doesn't come with an instruction manual, it comes with a mother."  Happy anniversary Shane and Sam.  Many this be the first of many amazing anniversaries.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Istanbul Finale

Our exploration continued and was equally enjoyable.

Taksim Square:


Preparing a new doner kebap:

Gulhane Park:
I never associated tulips with Istanbul, but they were everywhere and they were gorgeous.


And another gorgeous sight.  It brings tears to my eyes.  My favorite lady in Istanbul:


Galata Tower:

Views from the top of the tower:



We grabbed a yummy fish sandwich on/under the Galata Bridge:

Then hopped on this beauty for a boat tour (the bigger one in the back, thankfully not the little fishing boat):

The tour took us up toward the Black Sea:

Views from the water:


Dolmabahce Mosque:

Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses with FSM bridge in the background:

Then we stopped on the Asian Side for a lunch of fresh fish:

And of course we had to climb to Yoros Castle:

Our reward was a view of the Black Sea in the distance:

























Back on land, we relaxed with a Turkish bath (how cool is the gentleman carrying bread on his head?):


Happy birthday Sam and Laurie!  You guys are the bomb.com.