DayTwo

Ok.. Internet was out when we first arrived, so yesterday's recap...
Delayed at Kennedy, ten hour flight with screaming babies. Arrival went smooth until passport security, neverl experienced anything like it. Met up with our fist traveler from N.C. Who lost her luggage.....

Finally got to the hotel around 2:00 napped showeredthen 15 other travelers arrived. By 8 p.m. We were at orientation, then off to a fabulous rooftop diner. I do have some great pictures and as soon as the Internet allows!

Packing

So I am Packing and reading the "What to bring to Turkey" list form previous travelers... 

"Universal" drain stopper?

Laundry soap and laundry line

Umbrella, Sun screen

Kleenex to use in the bathrooms of the hinterlands, where also wearing a skirt will make it easier to manage the "one hole" bathrooms!!!

OH yes and we can't forget 

Anti-diarrhea meds :(

 I'm off to buy a pair of good walking shoes,  and I'd better make sure I have plenty of skirts!!

First stop Istanbul

More about the tour

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American Teachers Embark on Journey through Turkey

77 middle and high school teachers will be visiting Turkey on three Teacher Study Tours, organized and sponsored by the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF). Selected competitively by 24 local chapters of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) and TCF, the teachers will begin arriving in Istanbul on June 25. Joining the tours from 67 cities and towns across across the United States, the teachers will begin their journey in Istanbul and visit Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Troy, Canakkale, Bursa, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Konya and Catalhoyuk, Cappadocia and Ankara. Throughout the tour, the teachers will have the chance to visit and learn about world-famous cultural, archeological, architectural and natural sites of Turkey and meet with experts, educators and representatives of Turkish civil society. This year, the American teachers will be accompanied by volunteer Turkish teachers on their tours with a view to facilitate educational exchanges between Turkish and American educators.  The study tours are the second tier of Spotlight on Turkey,  a nationwide educational program organized by TCF, WACA and its local chapters and funded by a major TCF grant. The program includes a Teacher Workshop on Turkey, the Teacher Study Tours and various cultural programs for students and the general public. Through this program, teachers enhance international learning for their students by integrating their gained knowledge in the workshops and study tours into their curricula. Many teachers who first explored Turkey on the study tours later visited again with their students.

Getting Close

Counting down to the day we leave! Now meeting my fellow travelers via e-mail. Sounds like a great group from all parts of the U.S. The NY contingent will arrive first in Istanbul so we will have time to check in and check things out, before the rest of the crew arrives. There is at least one traveler that has been to Turkey before, and he is very excited about going back. So it sounds like we are all in for very exciting and educational experience!