Merry Christmas from İstanbul!

Merry Christmas All!!

Well, our Christmas is almost over and most of yours has only just begun! We came to the internet cafe to call our families (we have no land line at home) and the phone lines are all too busy or something so we're unable to phone. You'd think that in a country full of Muslims this would not be a problem tonight, but there you go.

This morning we opened stockings (we drew names then went to the Bazaar and candy shop to buy little things for them) (İ got Jeremy's stocking and Ariel filled mine), taking as long as possible oohing and awwing over the same things that we all got each other! We each had a present or two to open, which we also made last as long as possible! Then we ate omelettes that Will and İ made that paled in comparison to all the food that our proffessional personal chef, Jeremy and his beautiful assistant Ariel have been making for us - pallella (sp?) with fresh saffron last night and chicken breasts stuffed with olives and feta cheese complete with veggies and stuffing and gravy and sour cherry sauce (to replace absent cranberry sauce but which MAY have been even better) for Christmas dinner tonight! Mmmmmmm.... Especially impressive considering all we have in our kitchen is a camp stove with two elements!

İt's so nice to have Ariel and Jeremy here, especially for Christmas. İf only Will and İ were here we probably would have eaten sandwiches or soup tonight. İ also get a little of the family feeling having other people from home, and especially Ariel and Jeremy, who İ've already spent a Thanksgiving, and many other memorable times with. Hopefully they and Will feel the same. We are like a little family here. As Will says, perhaps the wine helps. Thanks for coming guys!

İ cannot believe it, but we are coming home in only 4 days. İt is just as surreal to leave this city as it was to come here. İ am definately leaving a piece of my heart in İstanbul.