Finally have time to update! My mom has been on my tail..so here you go mom:) SO much has happened since I last updated so I hop I can remember everything. Where do I even begin? So we flew to Turkey for 7 days which was soo much fun. We got on the bus at 4am and drove to the airport. Waited anxiously in security lines to finally board the plane. Once we landed in Istanbul, it was go go go..no stopping! Here is our schedule & this is a brief overview of everything we did.

Schedule:

May 18

Hagia Sophia

Archaeological Museum

(Stayed overnight in Istanbul)

May 19

Hippodrome

Blue Mosque

Topkapi Palace

Basilica Cistern

Grand Bazar

private Bosphorus cruise

(Stayed overnight in Istanbul)

May 20

Long bus long ride to the Gallipoli Battle Field

Ferry ride across Dardanelles 

Troy

(Stayed overnight in Canakkale)

May 21 

Assos, 

Pergamon Acropolis 

(Stayed overnight in Selcuk)

May 22 

Basilica of St. John,

Ephesus

Priene/Meletus

(Stayed the night in Selcuk)

May 23

Sardis

Long bus ride

Bazaar/Silk Market

Bursa

(Stayed overnight in Bursa)

May 24

Grand Mosque(Bursa)

Long bus ride

Iznik(Ancient City Gate, Ayasofya Camii, Constantine's Palace)

Ferry Ride

Flight back to Jerusalem

We saw soo many things in such a short amount of time. Definitely feel like a world traveler! Once of my favorite moments of that trip was when we got some free time, Daniela, Taylor and I decided to go get some ice cream at a little shop down the street. (Which made us so happy) As we were walking, talking, eating ice cream down the street we ran into Brother Seely and he was eating this huge, (& I mean HUGE) loaf of warm, right out of the oven bread! (& if you know me, you know I LOVE LOVE bread!!) So we turned around & bought a loaf for the three of us, it was like 75 cents! It honestly made my day!

So this picture wasn't part of the Turkey trip but this was from a girl's shopping trip (we had a little bit too much fun!)

 All the buses we take around the city are awesome party buses

 Hagia Sofia

 Mosque

 Ceiling of Hagia Sofia

 Jenny, Daniela & I

 I took a picture of this because I know Grandma Stone would love it! Always thinkin about you & grandpa 

 The girls

 Making a wish(You put your thumb in the hole, & twist your hand all the way around to make a complete circle)

 Picture with a random guy that wanted a picture with us..(B.O. to the MAXXXX! Nastiest smell I have ever smelt!)

 Archaeological Museum(King's bones)

 Some sweet glass mosaics..

 Just look at that face..take it all in,,

 What this guy is thinking: Wow, that was a really good piece of chocolate cake..)

Don't remember what these were for..they just made a cool picture

 Half man..half women..

 ROCK ON!(Literally haha)

Kisses for everyone!

Don't want to miss the simple things that we usually just walk right past

 These feet have taken me to some sweet places that I will never forget..

 Ticket to get into the museum

 Just want to say this picture is unedited.. OH MY..

 Man I love the night lights

 Looks like Disneyland..

 Ali & I

 Love the colors of the sky..

 Two peas in a pod

 Gate of Topkapi Palace

 Blue Mosque

 Rockin the head scarfs..

 Was in awe of this place..

 I laid on my back & just stared at the ceiling.. Every single inch of this place had so much detail

 Some cool necklaces I found on the food

 THEE SICKEST PLACE EVERR

Basilica Cistern

 Messing around with the settings on my camera

 Love walking through these little streets

 BEST PHOTO BOMB! He really wanted to take a picture with me..

 LOVE flowers.

 Grand Bazar

 I was amazed with these bowls! Disappointed I didn't get one..

 Can you say you have been fed Turkish Delights in Turkey by a guy with a sweet mustache? I think not.

 Our private cruise boat

 Felt like I was in a movie

 That's what I get when I ask Josh to take a picture for me..

 Just riding a little tiny pony in Troy..

 & world peace..

 Saw a turkey in Turkey..

 The gang..

 Just the girls..

 So close to taking him home with us a pet..

 Library in Ephesus

 Details to the max, everywhere we go

 The initials of me & my papa on ancient walls in Ephesus

 Same picture as in the back of the bible

 Saw this rock & couldn't resist the Little Mermaid pose..

 Sardis

We go on a field trip every week & this last week we went to Jericho 

 Daniela & I

This last week has been hectic! Midterms out the wazoo..My brain cells have been fried. I can't think anymore..I'm surprised I'm able to write this post right now! Yesterday our Israel teacher took a group of us to the synagogue to bring in the shabbat(sabbath). I just wanna say his little sons were so dang cute! I was playing tag with his youngest son who was about 3. He was so cute, he had long, curly, blonde hair with a kepa. He was running & giggling the whole time. After our teacher explained a little bit about what was going on, we split up by men and women. We grabbed a prayer book & sat down in congregation. I got to listen to them sing their hearts out. When they all stood up, we followed & did the same. A super nice girl standing behind me tapped my shoulder. She said something in Hebrew & I explained to her I only speak English. She spoke as best as she could & asked if I would like her to explain the prayers. I told her I would love it & stood next to her. She was so nice & explained it as best as she could. While I was sitting in the congregation I felt the spirit so strongly. The Jewish have such a dedication for their religion. I have grown to have such a love for their culture & people. I have had such an awesome experience here & I can't wait to experience more. Oh & we also had the pope as our next door neighbor! Pretty sweet! There's so much that happened, I'm gonna try to update more often so I can record everything that happens. If I remember anything else, Ill let you guys know! Mom & Dad, I am loving it! but I am missing everyone back home. Can't wait to see you guys! Much love, XOXO