Chasing Ideals

What days of joy these last three have been. Never in my life have I experienced snow so early in the year or in such quantity in a few days. The snow horses have been built, the downhill paths perfected for maximum slippage and carnage and after day one's backside brutality the bruised bottom has finally healed itself. Thin snow and intimate rock experiences were the culprits of that last report. Needless to say a bottom of the more cushioned variety would have been a cheek saver. I am blessed to have a few young snow experts to cherish the moments with and to provide life threateningly shaped snowballs in my direction. The word from the weather report which I as ever would rather not hear is that yesterday may have been our final day of snowfall at least this week so I'm glad that I and my little chums made the most of it.

You are going to see a few pictures in the newest albums that no doubt could be wondered about. The day out at the beach is self explanatory enough, guest came from western Poland and a guys day out of staring at waves and searching for shrimp ensued. On All Saint's Day I went with the fam and Wiesiek's mother and brother to visit the grave of his father. In Poland that day is a very big deal with thousands of people visiting the graves of their relatives. The commeration continues over two days and for many until midnight each of the days. I was surprised at the graveyard to be surrounded by so many people and to see so many whole families there together.

Following those pictures you will reach the wholesome pumpkin wine, lamb head massacre, and sushi production which thankfully did not occur all at once. I in my whole food goodness had been reading up on the consumption of internal organs a plenty and the proposed health benefits of such. So I decided to take a crack at it literally. The family bought a whole sheep for future consumption and I asked if the head could be mine. The surprised seller of said sheep said no problem after he was told that it was an Irish guest doing the asking for it. So that evening I prepared my tools, as shown a Viking battle axe from Wiesiek which is apparently right for the job and from time to time a smaller axe to hammer home as it were. The results were as shown in the bowel. All that the head of a sheep contains bar the hard parts. It should be noted that I am holding two heads in one shot and this is not to indicate that the legendary two headed sheep has been found but that the chap had actually slaughtered two sheep that day and there were no other tourists about for the other. After the carnage and the insides preparation, the next morning a brain omelette was mine which turned out to have a pleasant enough taste. Apparently my memory and brain function have been altered in the direction of the positive though no evidence of this has yet been shown. In later days a meal of the kidneys was relished in a red wine sauce and so called head cheese was prepared from the left over soft bits of the skull. Tragically in ignorance of how to prepare all else the other items including eyeballs, lungs, and heart went uneaten. I am ashamed at the mention of this waste let me tell ya. From then on in the pics the falling snow takes over. It was a dream come true to wake and see so much of the stuff lying about just begging to be leapt into.

How could I wait so long to tell this next bit you might ask. In one week my sister Tara with son and husband in toe shall embark upon their journey to be here with me. The day of their departure, one week from today, is the day of this lucky as can be lad's birthday and what finer gift could I receive. My closest friend finally getting to meet and have time with the family that has become so precious to me. I have always disliked feeling that those I love in Phoenix knew little of my life and relationships here. My life before and now have always seemed so disconnected from each other. Here now is an opportunity to connect those worlds and I have my savior as always to thank for the gift. Two weeks ago now a final sale of Tara's house began at a time in Phoenix when selling a house has become a mammoth task and they have been waiting months for a sale and had felt the need to return to Phoenix because of the strain of waiting for a sale. As soon as the process began Tara, who always promised she would, began the search to arrange for a visit. Through much difficulty and long days of searching together we found a way for her to get the fam out here and the day of my twenty fifth birthday was the best for the leaving. I went to bed each night in that time and since more and more in awe of my savior's love for me. To make it possible in this short time frame before Tara would be unable to come had me lying long awake (extremely rare for me) and so very thankful that for the second year in a row this special time of year for birthday and Christmas doesn't yet have to be spent apart from my closest friend and her family. That I can still share some of the season with those that meant so much that I had to leave behind. That is the love of Christ for me and for us that he cares so deeply for such things and will move mountains for the sake of love and relationship. My love for him grows deeper each day and especially at these reminders. Just a few days ago trouble has come in the sale of the house that may end the deal. A very difficult realization because it makes life for my sister and her family difficult in continuing to have this house in which they no longer live and the financial burden of it. But I know intimately and follow a God of incredible miracles who loves so truly and also the process of the sale made it possible for them to choose to come here and that I know was no coincidence in timing. My joy is peaking in the knowledge of their coming and of time together with them. These days til' then shall fly and I shall soon be seeing a familiar bunch at the airport not so far away. I cannot underestimate what it means to me.

Alright, so look at the varied pictures and await a further report on the goings on. I doubt I shall post during the visit so must sometime before I guess.

Well that balance of which I spoke was certainly accomplished. In a way that only a two legged hokey pokey performing badger could appreciate. That means it is time of course for some major summing up since a few pages of description is probably more than even the long winded reader would wish to tackle. Recent news as of Saturday afternoon is that all walls are up and the mammoth project guest house is one giant leap toward winter proofing. Our patented South Seas style compost, sand, and straw roof has been laid upon its blessed perch to provide future generations with its pungent yet fruitful outpouring of mossy growth. The day looms ever closer when our stubbornly driven kielbasa swillin' team shall utter the words, "Ahh, chuck it in til' spring", and great rejoicing shall spread across the land. As it stands today when the first buds spring forth next year and the results of rampant animal fornication are birthed we shall have only floors and trimmings left to tackle. Yesterday our first real snowfall came and today the lansdcape has shrugged its autumn colors for the bright whites of winter. I should not speak too soon however in thinking that that means the hibernation of our crew. Once a project such as this is begun it is very difficult to pack it in for a few no matter how oft dreams of life altering snowball fights and the construction of snow forts dance betwixt the ears. We shall see what the real "el jefe" Pan Wiesiek has to say on the subject in the next days and weeks. He's an Egyptian taskmaster if ever there was, that fellow.

A few words on the building you say. Well our South Seas roof was a sweet blend of sand, local straw, the smelliest compost this side of any major landfill, and a few cow pat sized moss growths to top it off like cherries. Without necessary window frames our much aforementioned Pan Gonska stayed at home and that left me and Wiesiek with the growing roof task. On Lovable Quirks today you'll be able to see how the work was accomplished. I down low pulling bucket after bucket of materials up by an expertly and soundly (yeah right) made pulley system. The real story tells of pulley that at one point nearly came down atop this head and a rope for pulling that made skin on the palm of the hand an unecessary luxury. Wiesiek atop the roof then hurled the contents of each bucket down the steep roof planes in hope that some of the contents might latch on with good will. Especially on the uphill facing side of the house the good will was minimal and much of what was hurled made attractive mounds on the ground about the house. There was much laughter and joy in the process it must be said especially at the witnessing of my graceful attempts to pull increasingly waited buckets up to the roof. The yelps of agony as palm skin dislodged, the times when I was down to nearly laying position to gain the strength to pull the rope further inches, and the attempted walking away from the pulley with rope in hand to pull up only to nearly be pulled off my feet backwards. Needless to say these and others provided howls of laughter from twinkle toes who had perfected his shuffle about the roof. I am very pleased to say in light of this that for the most part this project has been one to create joy and plenty of laughter among the participants.

The other big one for lack of suggesting adjective was the completion last Saturday of the final outer wall. Pan Gonska and myself spent the week building both upstairs walls as soon as our window frames were complete. During the four working days of that week I think my Polish made leaps and bounds and my knowledge of carpentry in turn. Those out there desiring the mastering of second language should consider this method, a week no less of staring at large planks of wood with someone of the trade and having copious order barked your way. Before you know it you'll be ready for a physiological and ethical lecture in your new tongue. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks for me as with future thinking in mind I am eager to learn any and all and love to mix laughter with hard work as it maintains and attitude and spirit that makes the work fly. Much hard work in my younger days have lead to my ability not only to predict extremely well what tools and help Pan Gonska will need, making me an apprentice that has proved his worth, but as well it is no issue for me to give my best over a full day and see the results in short time periods. For the sake of learning and of laughter this was a week I shall not forget and which I am grateful for.

What else you might wonder, what other sordid activity has filled thy days? Here is a short yet long winded run down. The production of 30 litres of finest sour cabbage, saurkraut or whatever you wish to call it that is only yet beginning to have supremely melded flavors and goodness for intestines everywhere; our fourth attempt at homemade beer which looks marvelous after the initial yellow soup of nastiness, -5% alcohol second attempt, tasty yet needing improvement third to our latest recipe which includes of course the necessary barley, hops, and sugar but has added caramel, sour fruit, and clove accessories; the making of a variety of chutneys cold and hot to add savory goodness to all sorts of sambos and the like, most notably ones of pineapple and chutney variants; and the further development of my bread expertise, recently creating many sour dough and grape juice bread starters as keen alternatives to the usual yeast types. That gives a taste of it anyway though not quite the same as being here for the real thing. Despite the claims it should be mentioned that the grape juice bread starter produced a bread that would take the teeth from a tiger. It was far too moist after baking so we made something akin to crackers from it and worked our jaws to the bone to consume it. The chewing lasted hours and the agony of the jam much further. No doubt healthy for the gums and such but nevertheless a tad brutal in the experience.

Alright, the snow and the kiddies beckon and I shall answer. I must write more later in the week but for today take a look at the pictures.

I'll have to set the scene for the following. I arrived in London Heathrow last Wednesday a few hours before Tara and Faolan and was waiting for them in Terminal 4. There is just one exit in the terminal for arriving passengers or at least that is what I thought. The idea was that we would meet there and then head to Terminal 1 for our connecting flight to Dublin. As I waited, I decided to write down what I was thinking as my thoughts were racing. I had to write on any scrap of paper I could find which included my flight itinery, lunch receipt, and local newspaper front page. I was sitting atop my suitcase and writing on my knee at a feverish pace. Hopefully some of you will find this of interest or you may read it and decide I'm a bit of a nut job. Either way here goes:
_______________________________________________
I'm anxious as a psych patient waiting here in my tie. Heart pounding as a marching drum. Six months apart from my closest friend. Where the hell is she! I'm close to faint sitting here. The tie too tight around my neck. Every time a baby whimpers I am convinced it is her. Nearly scowling at other gobshites emerging. Wondering if I will leap the rail. I'm writing this so I don't forget to but thinking too fast to write and looking up constantly and scribbling. Ready to run to meet her and babs but not sure my legs will carry me. Getting queer stares as I write. Must quit this in case she comes. Seeing a chap with cowboy moustache. Looked liked Arizona man now where the f. Feck "tex" and give me sis and baby. Writing this without looking now. Finally loosened the sodding tie but got to look my best. Doors open again to woman in yeti costume orange. Looks like she decided on the floor carpet for today's attire but she's out first. My eyes are twitching around the room like a hawk after rabbits. Americans but no Tara out with child. It could be the lack of blood to the brain or excitement, not sure. Still feckin waiting. Ready to bludgeon the customs chap holding things up. Ready to lep on the two like a ravenous what's it. Still scribbling here with my legs shaking. I feel like a nutter scribbling away. Where the hell is she, 22 minutes is plenty of time. Tears probably won't come but this faint feeling sure has. Tie seems awfully feckin tight. Let me hear that baby. Let me see my best friends face. Thank you God for this moment.

No more room to write on this. More women out with babies. What the? She could have easily beaten these sods. Woman with luggage for twelve. Man with Sedona looks like he had far too much peyote. Couple blocking view, bastards. Suit case under me and legs giving out. Woman with boy. More obvious Americans, Phoenicians. Woman with yellow jumpsuit. Woman with shitloads of luggage back out. More Americans(Notre Dame hat). Woman with mass luggage going back in. What the? Another woman but with two babies. Suitcase is imploding under my ass. The sight of me I'm like a drug addict. Head twitching, legs shaking. I'm going to feckin burst. Woman meanders out. Hurry it up for feck sake. More babies. Bags from California. Another baby sitting on a suitcase. Cute but not Faolan- can't read these scribbles. Where is she? Nearly an hour passed. Another smiling mum with baby. More mothers. More Americans. Hideous gotee. Native American chap. Another mother with baby. Insensitive bastard doesn't react to arrival of his sister/girlfriend. Mother of girl is crying and gobshite is rushing them. Want to give swift headbutt. My nerves settling for brief intervals. Still catching stares as writing on receipt on knee. A father and daughter hardly greet each other. Now two more babies out. Husband and wife greet with big kiss. Good on them. Blood finally flowing to my brain again. Man with woman doesn't help her when her child knocks bags over. Other chap helps her instead. Where is Tara? Doors open. No one comes. Airhostess in bright blue looking pissed. Man wearing shorts. Must be from Phoenix. Writing on a newspaper now. Hoping camera in front of me not watching. Just noticed it. I must look like a terrorist or a madman. Starting to wonder if I missed her; wrong terminal; what the? Emotional level dropping. Woman in skirt and massive boots waddling around behind me. Strangest walk I ever saw. Lump in throat and pressure of tie on my Adam's apple. Trying not to show my scribbles on paper. Writing on smiling man's face. More babies, feel drained, suprised haven't been arrested. She missed the flight. I was told customs lines are long in London. Crying friends greet. Woman cries after kisses arriving disabled friend and then is consoled by husband. People show up with no one to greet them. They divert their eyes as they walk out. Walk quickly so as not to seem alone. I remember those days. Family greet each other with big hugs, kisses, laughter, tears. Beautiful. Mother and her children. Nearly squezzes son's head off. Old man and young can't find a word to say to each other. I hope they are not father and son. They stare off in opposite directions. Man greets wife but not with kiss. Silly sod. Sunburnt jerries emerge, maybe from Phoenix. Others are waiting together but not talking to each other- fools. Been sitting on my suitcase too long. Sliding off. Where is she? Losing hope of arrival. Did she miss plane? Waiting, losing energy. Two hours since landing.
________________________________________________________
Would you believe it after all of that she never came out that way. Tara and Faolan had gotten a special bus from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 and were waiting for me there instead. I finally gave up waiting and called home to Phoenix to find that she should have been on the plane. I was confused and exhausted and already late for the flight to Dublin. When I rushed to Terminal 1 I discovered that she had been there and was on the plane bound for Dublin without me. I had a message sent to the plane to tell her I would follow her on the next flight. At that point I was so relieved to finally know where she was but had to quickly buy a new ticket and head to the departure gate. Two hours later I was in the arms of my sis in Dublin airport and holding my nephew for the first time in six months. The afternoon's emotional level had exhausted me and my heart was overwhelmed that I was finally together with them. I hardly said a word for the first few hours.

I've written enough in this for today now. In the next days and weeks here I think I won't have the time to be writing much. We've been staying with Tara's friend from her university days, Jacinta, and Jacinta's husband Robbie and their two children. I am thoroughly enjoying every moment of it. My time with Faolan is like a dream as the little chap is such a smily baby and a joy to play with. After such time away the moments with him are a gift. Being together with Tara all day and every day is so refreshing to me after months apart of relying on weekly phone calls. She knows me so well because she cares for me so deeply and our conversations are always intimate. Our hosts these first days love to chat and have made us feel so at home from the first moment. I have felt so comfortable in their house, with their children, and as a part of their lives. They don't realize it perhaps but that comfort and friendship is exactly what this weary chap needs at the moment. Tomorrow we are off to visit some more friends but we'll be back here before months end. Take a look at the new album of pics. Plenty of Faolan and a few of our hosts and their chillins.

Now to continue the story. Day two I was as sprightly as a new born gazelle after my fab night sleep. Had plenty of energy for seeing the Aya Sofya and Underground Cistern before catching an evening Galatasaray (great news for Cahit) match with motorway crossing accessories. The Aya Sofya was originally a Christian church but was later fitted for mosquedom by the Ottoman's. The lighting and the colors inside really impressed me and I ended up snapping more than a few shots in all areas. A mixture of Christian and Muslim symbolism was something I had not seen before. I was inspired to one day learn to write in the Arabic style as it is far more artistic than any penmanship these hands have mustered. Thoughts emerged in my time there as to the stark contrast between Christian life in Cappodocia and the huge church scene of old Constantinople. I can never rationalize the motives of those who created massive structures in honor of one who gave all that he had and was to those that he loved. It reminded me that the message and actions of Christ were never meant for the grand halls but for affecting the lives of those that might never have been allowed to set foot within those halls.

Details about the Underground Cistern had given it all the appeal of visiting a squatter toilet but my Dutch friends had assured me of its charms. After seeing the place I agree that it was worth a gander. The ambience within included soft playing orchestra music and dripping water from above. On Lovable Quirks now you can see this now red lit cavern that once housed much of the water supply. It was built at the Eastern Roman Empire's peak when obviously money and manpower were no obstacle. At this point in the day I was enthralled with the idea of seeing my first league football match. I was told by Cahit in Can that me seeing Galatasaray (one of the big three teams of Turkish football) play would endanger our friendship but it was the only game to see all weekend. He is a Fenerbahce fan to the core so naturally I must support another squad. In my months of travel I have yet to see a single match and so this night I was not to be convinced out of the attempt.

Myself and Ashley prepared ourselves to go and discovered that one of the hostel employees, Mustafa, and two other guests, Ana and Anita, were desiring the same. Mustafa was fairly convinced we could get tickets even though the hour late and the time for the game approaching. The five of us hopped into a cab and were on our way. Mustafa the lucky sod got the front seat while we other four squeezed into the designed-for-three back seat. Warm we were in that heavily intimate of circumstances. Ana and Anita have come to Turkey from Slovenia for a few weeks of travel. We had plenty of time on the way to the stadium to chat as the way was long but more pressingly the traffic was a bit of a nightmare. When we did arrive the line for tickets spelled our doom as far as getting in. Mustafa, though, seemed undaunted and sent us to the back of the line while he headed in to the fray at the front. Five minutes later he joined us in line with five of the best (tickets that is) in hand. How the task was managed I shall never know? There was no time for questions either as we made a dash for the entrance. Three full bod frisks and pat downs (number two was the least enjoyable as the chap was no proponent of touch-me-tender) later we made it to our sunflower seed covered seats and prepared for kickoff. The match itself between Galatasaray and Sivasspor was a thorough thrashing with three goals scored by Galatasaray in just the first half. The more impressive entertainment was the enthusiasm and comraderie of the attending fans. The cheers and chants rarely ceased and in one corner a conductor of sorts kept them coming loud and frequent. At one point fans on one end called to those in our area who called back with successive lines and this went on for some time. In the second half I'm given to understand that Sivasspor got one of their own back but as I'm prone to do I spent the whole time chatting and witnessed none of it. The chance to know another of our Creator's masterpieces always takes precendence over any and all distractions. When suddenly Mustafa was hustling us out I had no awareness that the game's end was approaching. He had us out in the street in moments. Then at feverish pace we were hopping barriers and racing across a motorway to catch a cab. There were few moments for stopping to smell the proverbial roses on that venture. Back at the hostel the lot of us joined Kate and Anika and together we spent the evening chatting and puffing on a communal hookah pipe.

Day three lacked some of the tourist energy of the previous. We met Ana and Anika for brekers before heading to Topkapi Palace and its repititious jewelry displays. I don't wish to be too hard on the place but there are only so many gaudy necklaces one chap can view. Perhaps a variety of layouts would have improved matters as most rooms were set up the exact same way. Islam also seems no stranger to relics as teeth and hair from Mohammed abounded in one of the main rooms. His mantle there remains enclosed in a solid gold casket behind thick glass. A few strides across a courtyard and I ended up in the circumcision room. Cold but colorful tiles decorated the place where many a young lad awaited the chop. An iron contraption no doubt put to some torturous use sat near the fireplace and little pools for water lined the room's side. Heady spot for a chap to visit considering its purpose. We alotted only a short time for the palace visit and what he did have was probably enough. Our Slovenian chums met us for lunch and afterward since no one had energy for more museum jaunts we went for fruit teas and baklava at a cosy spot. I am reminded always that that which is most memorable of my journey is not churches and museums but those that I have shared these moments in the company of. In the evening we had to say our goodbyes to Ana and Anita as they are off to Cappodocia and later the west coast. Hopefully I will be able to connect them with Serap and my other chums in Kusadasi and they can give them the grand tour of the area that they gave me. I now have two good friends to visit in Slovenia. I thoroughly enjoyed their company and the conversations we had.

Yesterday and today have been do-little days. Ashley has been sicker than a dead dog since Sunday night and only began to recover today. Varying degrees of cholera and what not seems to be the diagnosis. Kate joined him today which meant they have to postpone their journey to Greece for tomorrow. Yesterday Kate, Anika and I attempted another ferry ride to no avail and instead headed to the Grand Bazaar for wall to wall shopping. The place was again far too tourist driven and much more expensive than others markets I have been. When a seller has one hundred copies of the same map and wants 100 lira for one you know you are being jipped. I enjoy a good haggling session but not when the starting price is already light years from what it should be. It is quite a change for me that in Istanbul everyone with something to sell speaks a good bit of English. I have struggled linguistically everywhere but here. One chap approached me with a Sylvester Stalone look and sounding script. I knew more clearly than ever then that I'm in the tourist haven of Turkey. I'm glad to know it doesn't begin to represent the intrigue afforded by this country. In the evening we (still minus Ashley) visited a friend of mine from Can. I met Eray during Bayram when he was home from school and was glad to meet up with him again so soon. We didn't have a lot of time together but that amount we did I enjoyed as I had my time with him before. We had only time to go to his favorite Heavy Metal bar (cool place actually) and then for a bite to eat (best kebab I have tasted). I feel so incredibly blessed to have made so many connections with people here. It is overwhelming when I try to think of all those in Turkey that I have had time and experiences with. Today I've lounged around writing this and chatting with the two patients and Anika. I am glad that we had this last day together as the time has flown.

Tomorrow morning I will be headed to Ireland. I couldn't express in a few words what this time will mean for me and this post is long enough already. Needless to say I am very excited and am going to relish each moment with Tara, Floyd and babs to the fullest extent I can. That babs is in for some major uncle lovin'. Take a look at the new picture galleries I have posted. The first Istanbul gallery gives an idea of the sights I have seen and in the last two pictures you can see my companions. Ashley, Kate and Anika in the first. Myself, Ana, and Anita in the second. The smaller Istanbul gallery has pictures I snagged from Ashley's collection as well as a few of my own and pictures from the football match. The chap you won't recognize in that gallery is Eray. Also in that gallery I added a picture of a bizarre book advertisement. The Pope is here in Turkey this week and that book just came on the shelves it seems. Then the last gallery posted lets you finally see my hosts in Can, Nihal and Emre, and their baby Uras. I threw in another picture with Cahit as well, though he has been in plenty already.

My journeying to Istanbul started with an uneventful busride followed by a madhouse shuttle to Sultanahmet, the city's tourist hub. The shuttle bus driver seemed keen on displaying his credentials to this weary tourist. He was hell bent on sideswiping any parked car in range and destroying the lower limbs of any and all poor sods unlucky enough to be crossing the road. After each attempt at "death or glory" he would look over to me with a proud smile and utter a few words in Turkish. I imagined them to be something to the tune of "Aren't I a bad ass." The chap in the back seat with the ten-pack-a-day smoker's voice was continually yelling at the driver throughout the journey. Driver was having none of whatever ten-pack was saying and would yell back and wave his arms in a slightly obscene fashion. This led ten-pack to make repeated phone calls which would again be roared out. As driver would make comments ten-pack would repeat them at five times the volume into his phone. I sat enamored with the novelty of their ridiculous conversation. It seemed as two actors on a small and unconvincing shuttle bus stage. Eventually ten-pack's stop was found and with a few more wails and weezes he was off with two large sacks of belongings. Driver then re-mustered all his energy toward ending my existence until eventually I was dropped at the doorstep of my hostel.

It felt strange at first to meet up with my old chums from Berlin. Ashley and Kate arrived in Istanbul two days before myself and a friend of theirs, Anica, the day before me. It seems so long ago that we were together for the World Cup final and since that time they journeyed thousands of miles west and I the same east. We had hinted at meeting up again in Istanbul but I never had considered it would happen. I arrived at the hostel before nine a.m. and found them still dozy from sleep and in their jim-jams. Apparently some German chap named Hans had barged in to their room two hours earlier with his sights set on stealing my bed. They were prepared for my arrival so Hans came as a bit of a shock and they had to turn the poor bugger out. I was happy to not discover a bed time guest named Hans in my weak and exhausted state. After the initial shock of seeing each other after such a long stint we chatted for a short while about where our travels had taken us before I attempted a nap but to no avail. I decided instead to join them for brekers before we hit the town for the afternoon.

That first day I wandered with them despite my exhaustion to the Blue Mosque, Spice Market and a ferry ride a meager distance up the Bosphorous. At the Blue Mosque the relative volume of the call to prayer was a tad overbearing. Small town mosques with small speakers were nothing compared to the decibels put out at this place. After a long wait for the faithful to emerge from within we bagged our shoes and took a look round inside. It was very impressive in its architecture and the four of us sat and gazed for a short while. Afterwards we headed to the docks and found the ferry that we guessed went the furthest upstream on the Bosphorous. Poor guess sadly and we made it only a short ways before the ferry docked at another port and then turned around and went back. It was amazing, however, to see the grand buildings lining many of the coastal areas. I imagined the reaction of sailors and travelers entering the city in Istanbul's hayday. They would have been overwhelmed at the sights and sounds of this bustling city. The numbers of markets, churches, and palaces is greater than those of other cities I have visited. Our last venture was a trip to the nearby spice market. I must admit twas a bit of a let down as it lacked any real variety. It seemed to me to have the same teas and few spices in each and every store. I had hoped for heady and intoxicating aromas and more of an original atmosphere. Tourism has created there a sterile and catered environment. Away from touristic areas I have found markets to be far more natural and cultural. I saw the Spice Market as a place that local people would not go because it is no longer meant for them but purely for tourists and that killed my enthusiasm for the place.

I added a photo gallery to Lovable Quirks so have a look. Some of the photos are from places I have yet to describe but bear with me as the reports are coming.

I'm safe and sound in Istanbul with my Aussie chums. Seeing a few of the sights but taking it easy all the same. Awaiting my Ireland voyage with cross legged and baited breath anticipation. Here are two last birthday well wishes that arrived a little late but are much appreciated. While some of my readers (all three) may be sick of these they mean the world to me.

---------------------------------
Dear Sky, Happy Birthday (belated but not forgotten),
What can I say but that I love you and miss you and yet I am so happy for you. I remember the day you joined our family, it was sudden but expected, swift but painful, a real surge of blissful emotion when I realized I finally had my little boy after 3 girls (though I was not really trying that hard). What's love got to do with it, my dear boy. Plenty! Life was rough and ready in Lisduff but simple and a daily trip_ back to the basics of life. It seems another world ago, since the 7 Warrens were back in the old country. I do enjoy being a mom, more than ever but YOU are a son any mother would hope to have. ... Please put on the longjohns, the heavy jumpers, the wellies, the gloves, and whatever else it takes to stay warm in the land of your ancestors. Don't forget the copious cups of tea and lovely bread, warm brown soda bread ,how are you!!! You are so Precious, or is it precocious, or the precursor of an exodus back to Europe of the Warren brood, God only knows what will become of us all. We are linked forever in Him for eternity, what a wonder to contemplate. What a birthday you are having, No way could it ever be equaled at this present time. From your mummy, mommsie, sweetcheeks, mother and otherwise the old one. With lots of love and bologna (slang). xxxxxoooooo

---------------------------------
hi skyler - a paperbirthdaycake with candles ( sorry I m a little late) from urfeld - but - with a lot of good wishes to your Birthday . All the wishes come from my heart. I wish i have a really birthdaycake for you. (next time when - OR IF? - you here) sorry my english is so bad. I hope you enjoy the time to travel every day. god bless you xxx ooo xxx maria

Today I am heading off to Istanbul for a week before my journey to the Emerald Isle. I hope I will be able to post from Istanbul but right now I have no idea. If you have read my birthday post please don't forget to read about my time in Cappodocia and Ankara as those posts will explain the last pictures I put up. Here are a few last birthday wishes from chums at home and abroad.

--------------------------------------------
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYLER -- When I first met you we were both real shy. Now look at you travelling all over the world not knowing who you are going to meet. I'm so proud of you for doing what you dreamed of for so long and even better you haven't forgotten about your friends in the States. Have a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to your visit. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, LOVE YA, SANDY

--------------------------------------------
skyler aka skywalker, well at least thats what the YWAM outreach team from brazil liked to call him. i first met him at weisek and nancy's home in southern poland. i thought, who is this tall american traveling around europe and how did he end up in poland? because usually only polish americans visit poland. those questions were soon answered and i was amazed at how blessed he was by god to be able to travel like he is. i was sure glad to be able to talk with an american as i am sure he was glad to see two more americans, my brother and i. while he began to answer those questions and how he got to europe/life story i began to see how important his family is to him. he talked of his siblings and parents, growing up ect. the greatest thing i heard him talk about but most of all saw, was how he talked about his savior. thier were only a few conversations about the lord, due to time of course, but as he talked about jesus living in his life and how he has changed his life forever i began to see jesus through him in a way. hard to explane if you havent experienced this sort of talking to someone who knows the lord but walks with him daily. that really encourged me to press on walking with the lord in my daily life. i was blessed to meet a man who really treasured his walk with the lord. so far, even growing up in church i havent seen men his age really walking with the lord in thier every day life and it was so great to see that skyler! may the lord richly bless you on your birthday! your friend, em

I am well convinced that I am the luckiest chap on the planet. I'm twenty four years old today and to read these well wishes from my family and friends I am amazed and so thankful for where my Savior has taken me and who he has created me to be. Alright I've said enough. That's hard to write and I'm sure for you all to believe.

-------------------------------------------------------------
We all know that Skyler is an extraordinary person who has brought something into each of our lives in a special way. A birthday is a time to honor and remember him and his gifts to us, and it would be a real shame if had to extol himself this year although I’m sure he could do a fine job being gifted as he is with many words. The most extraordinary thing about Skyler to me is he is the only person I know who has let the true love of Christ pass from his mind to his heart and therein bursts forth life. Not too many of us have seen or known love the way he expresses it, and although not perfect it is a joy to experience. And to top it off he is not even boring-he’s fun, has a great sense of humor (this even being one of his sin areas!!), enjoys the richness that life has to offer, is very caring, passionate, a servant to the core and a joyful giver. I can honestly say there are not many like him and he is one of the great gifts in my life.
I’ll save the other amazing details for the next birthdays, as there will be many more and I hate to be repetitive.
Skyler, I love you and admire you thoroughly and hope and pray that your 24th year will be the best yet,
Your better in most
Always, Tara


-------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Scooter,
Another year and another chapter in your book, I am glad to be apart of your story and you’re a part of my novel. I am blessed to be a part of a great family, you all are so different in your own ways. I love that you are a very caring fellow from the days in your green pool and now we are in-laws and you are the uncle to my son. A brother I consider you and you will do great things, they will write books about you. Comedy? Drama? Educational? Romance novel? Another chapter in the Bible? I am proud that you are traveling and doing many things that people just talk about and being able to share your adventures with us all here. We look forward to seeing your red bearded mug again and it is less than a month so get ready sweet cheeks I will be seeing you on the Emerald Island. Happy Birthday “iyi mutlu lar” Have fun in Turkiyi, have some raki for me. Love Floyd


-------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Skyler:
Happy Birthday, Skyler! I really miss you, Paul
Happy Birthday, Skyler! I hope you have a grand birthday and that you will have a really good life!
Happy Birthday, SKyler! I hope you have a really great time on your birthday. Come back to us!
Happy Birthday, Skyler! Bah Ty! David
Happy Birthday, Skyler! Hope I get to meet you one day! Jonathan :)
Happy Birthday SKyler! Hey Bro! It was precious to have spent time with you in Greece - let's do it again, somewhere else (Ireland one day? Poland too)
Happy Birthday, Skyler! You are mature beyond your years - and this traveling will mature you even more. Guess you're right around the corner from finding the one - youre so ready! We look forward to seeing you again - and watching some Fawlty Towers, or something like that!
Love from all of us on this very Happy Day!
Wiesiek, Nancy, Jonathan, David, Timothy, Hannah Joy and Paul and Happy our dog!


-------------------------------------------------------------
The smell of fresh bread always reminds me about You Sky. It's your birthday so I invited myself to your world with a handful of words. I hope you don't mind. When you entered my world for a while I was trying to figure out what was it that made you so special. Now I realize it was your sincerity. Your words were real, sometimes unwanted, sometimes hurting a bit, sometimes funny, sometimes weird, sometimes filled with warmth and care. Always true. That's how I remember You. You're so fortunate. You know that.
Nikosh and Marcin are singing happy birthday for you and they're quite a choir, it's a shame you can't hear them.
Love from all of us
Milka


-------------------------------------------------------------
November 22, 2006
Skyler,
It's not quite the 22nd in Phoenix, AZ but I'm pretty confident it is wherever you are right now. 24 in Turkey! Hopefully as exotic as it sounds. I can remember much of those 24 years being around for at least 8 more! I remember your cute blond curls, your blackened front teeth, your first day at school, your love of soccer and your fractured wrist. I remember you suddenly getting tall, your endless nightly bag repacking, the first car with the broken seat and expensive stereo, your first job. I have watched you change from socialite, to shy, to despairing, to life-and-people loving (quite few transformations) I have watched with a mixture of awe and fear never guessing that it would all lead to who you are today! At one time you sought only to fit in, now your strive for anything but that, which is truly what sets you apart. That and your love of people! Our family is the lesser without you. I hope your 24rd year is one of your best, that your travels are stress-free, that you find what your looking for and that you are at peace. Though my words to you are infrequent, I love you as much today as I always have, far too much to even describe.
your sister,
Lisa

-------------------------------------------------------------
Skyler - the self proclaimed, but as of yet unproven, Stallion.
November 22nd 1982, a day that will live in infamy among Argentineans everywhere, the date that Skyler Mark Warren arrived on the scene. Hard to believe that was nigh 24 years ago. And now look at you, jet setting off to distant lands; pilfering portal usage from the unsuspecting Turkish, stuffing your undercarriage with an obscene number of Grecian mandarin oranges, navigating the perilous Albanian pot holes, drinking copious amounts of coffee with the Croatian mechanics, running through Polish towns clutching your bog roll, terrifying campers everywhere with random early morning coiffure adjustments and depositing your fluids on every surface from Krakow to Nowy Sanz. (We have been keeping track).

We are very blessed to get to share these amazing adventures with you and await your postings with as much enthusiasm as a todger has for todgering. You are a wonderful lad; loved by all you know you and have known you. Your strong desire to truly know people is evident in the way you connect with others no matter where you are or what the language differences. Your wonderful smile could melt the knickers off an 80 year old blind woman. You are willing to seek after relationships and not wait for them to come to you. You are forcing yourself to ‘let go and let God’ and by doing so inspiring the rest of us to remember why we are here.

So today, your birthday, we celebrate you; the man, the myth, the ever so gently violated by 17 Argentineans legend that is Skyler Warren.

Happy Birthday and get stuffed,
Love always
The Willis 4


-------------------------------------------------------------
Skyler, you are my most treasured friend. You are:
friendly
out-going
funny
honest
intrepid
intelligent
caring
and 10,000 other good things I can't name. You are loving and lovable. I only wish I could be with you on your special day. Know that even though we are apart, I am celebrating with you in spirit. HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
[aj]


-------------------------------------------------------------
Some angels told me a birthday is coming up. They said it was sky's birthday. A bit confusing at first. Why would the sky have its birthday on the 22nd of November? But then I remembered....sky...skyl...skyle....Skyler...yes, that Irish American or American Irish (however you wanna put it) dude that stayed with us for the first weeks of the World Cup here in Germany.

I met him on my flight to Atlanta in May (on may way back to Germany). Having to sit between two guys in the middle seat, and having spent three weeks with one of them already, I thought I should talk to the hairy face next to me who was reading this funny book... at least the little that I could read sounded strange to me. But knowing that Sky dude a bit more by now, it fits all together with his love for philosophy. He was a bit shy at first, because he was surprised that I started talking to him, but then he opened up quickly. I as quickly then invited him to stay at our place when he would come to Köln (Cologne). A few weeks later without any further notice he then suddenly came by and accepted to stay at our place for a while.

That Skyler really loves talking. That's his favorite. So we talked and talked...until my brain would get heavy and I needed to say Good Night.... The next day or so it could happen though that I was asked some of the same questions again. So I wondered, was it because of my English that he didn't remember? But we found out that with the huge number of questions he was asking, it was not easy to remember all of them and the answers as well. Which I think by now is one of his "lovable quirks".

Always a comforting warm smile on his face. A hug when it's needed. And man, you should get an option to get homemade bread from him, and the pasta by the way is lovely, too. An open heart for people and relationships, that's him! We had great conversations about God and our savior, and about people, and our dreams and plans.

Sky really cares for people, and I still want to learn a lot from him, even though we are far away from each other, but I think that it is possible despite the distance. I hope he finds the place of his ideals soon, so he can start working on the next goal that God has set before him.

THE END

Hey Sky, love you a lot, and I hope you enjoy your birthday. I'm looking forward seeing you soon. I'm sure February will come quicker than we can imagine right now.

God's blessings for you today, and tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and then the day after that day, ......

xxxxooooo Cathrin

If you would like to send me something for my birthday please don't try to send as a comment. Apparently some have tried and the comments function has turned out to be a piece of the brown stuff. That is not true about the function but I think that those of you that tried forgot to answer the question at the end. That question is there so I do not get spam. It is the "What country am I from?" question. In future also if your comment doesn't go through you can press back on your browser and should still be able to try again or copy what you wrote and email it to me. If you tried to send something for my birthday and it was lost please send it again by email even if it is late. I know it is hard to write something like that twice but I can assure you it means so much to me!!!!!!!

Below I have posted about Cappodocia so take a look at that first. Turkey's capital is famous for little on the touristic front but I was fortunate to have a contact there. I stayed for one night in the city on my return trip from Cappodocia. Ufuk and Zeynip were my hosts in the matter. I had a marvelous time especially trying to communicate with Zeynip via a Turkish-English dictionary. With the dictionary at hand some conversation was possible but later in the center of Ankara it became increasingly difficult. Especially when I mentioned my desire to purchase an electric razor for cutting the ol' mop. We had to summon the assistance of an English speaking doctor to manage that translation. To get to meet the doctor however, she and I had to wear the shoe coverings that are compulsory in many hospital wards. The blasted coverings kept tearing as I tried to stretch them over my regulation ski length feet. I managed eventually though and the doctor explained to Zeynip what I was after. A short time later we found just the device for dead skin genocide at a nearby store. I have had enough of the front seat jobs in the Citroen. I had tried once again recently to plug my electric razor into a normal socket. I was determined to cut my hair in the comfort of the hotel but when I turned the razor on and saw that it would and could end my life I quickly relinquished. I am happy to have the new razor for all of my hair care needs.

My one touristic jaunt in Ankara was to Antkabir (the mausoleum for Ataturk). Mustafa Kemel Ataturk is Turkey's national hero and the founder of their democracy. I must in the coming months or years read much more about the man who is honored with statues and words of praise around this nation. The mausoleum was an impressive site atop a hill overlooking the city. It is a testament to the legacy that Ataturk left behind in the hearts of the Turkish people. I was pleased to see so many Turkish people there even on a midweek day. Further encouragement to find out more about the man who the site was built to honor.

I left Ankara on Friday night and have since been back here in Can. Yesterday I spent another afternoon out fishing with Cahit and some more of his buddies. Cahit seems quite the socialite considering the number of friends he keeps. I am not complaining about that but am impressed at the number of people I have met through him. We caught few fish (Cahit and I none) and Cahit is convinced that I am bad luck on the fish catching end. I'm convinced that our fish bait had all the appeal of a piece of cardboard. Today, Sunday, I relaxed the day away at Emre and Nihal's house and had the opportunity to make some olive and goat cheese bread which I regrettably have yet to try. It feels really good that with the odd hundred bread making trials behind me I can really experiment with fillings and bread types. I will be hanging out here at least until Thursday before heading to Istanbul and my trip to Ireland's shores.

If one wishes to see how early Christians lived and survived then this is the place. The region lies in central Turkey amidst surrounding flatlands. Hundreds if not thousands of houses and churches were carved into the rocks. It was wonderful to wander the area searching for places to explore. One could easily spend a few weeks doing just that and not discover all. I was blessed to meet there two fellow travelers from Holland. Robert and Klaartje are on their way to India overland through Iran and Pakistan. They were marvelous company over my four day stint in the area. I immediately felt that I was a friend with them and thoroughly enjoyed our chats and wanderings about the area. One night I joined them at a traditional Turkish restaurant they had discovered. The low tables and cushions for seats made for relational bliss and we spent all of an evening there. Sharing this journey I'm on is somehow always the sweeter. I should also mention Spotty the tour dog. This dog lives at the hotel where we stayed and the owners discovered an excellent way to avoid walking him. Any time guests wish to explore the area the dog will literally guide them and then return them when they have had their fill of wandering. I'm not sure that he follows any tour maps but will guide in and out of canyons and back to the hotel. Marvelous. Day two we (minus the dog) took a guided tour of most of the main areas. I'm glad that I did because the area is large and I could not have seen it all with buses. I was however dissapointed that the guide knew little detail of the Christian history of the area and instead gave more of a general historical overview.

The times had no doubt been treacherous for those early Christians as it seemed ever place was built to allow for a swift exit if needed. The most interesting place I found to be Derinkuyu, one of hundreds of underground cities. This city of sorts has eight levels (apparently there are more) and at one time housed about ten thousand people. This for periods of up to six months. Each city was connected with tunnels of up to seven or eight kilometres in length. As I wandered its levels with the tour group I tried to imagine what life would be like living underground even just for a day. The tunnels were cramped, the light of course perpetually dim (this with modern lightbulbs throughout), and the air thin. In the past air vents reaching all levels kept air circulating but it could not have been the same as the air quality at the surface. I thought how difficult and dreary a life it would be.

Since though I have considered a different perspective. Many churches of comfortable Christianity lack what these people must have had, community. They would have been some of the first to hear the message that relationship between man and God had been restored. Together they accomplished incredible feats in the midst of hardship and persecution. In contrast I grew up surrounded with apathy related to the message of Christ and an overwhelming lack of community in churches. Two thousand years later the greatest event in human history has been reduced to a Sunday morning ritual in many parts of the world. It meant so much more than that to those who lived and oft died for their decision to follow after their savior.

I have added three new galleries to Lovable Quirks. The first is from a picnic with Cahit and some of his buddies before I went to Cappodocia. In the Cappodocia album you can see pictures of my Dutch companions and of the tour dog.

I know that I need to fill you all in on my week at Cappodocia but I want more time to do the place justice. For now I have a brief proposition. My birthday is coming on the 22nd of this month. Rather than me write a breathtaking piece about how wonderful I am I thought I could request such from you all. If any of you would like to you can email me something and I will post it to the website. Of course if you do not want me to post it but still want to email me you are more than welcome to just do that (it would be a pleasant change from the current situation). If you send me something to post I can put your name with it or not, it is up to you. This way I can keep with the birthday tradition without sounding too vain. Oh and lastly if you want to write something but it would be easier for you in another language that is fine.

The comments are working now. I'm glad to see one of you made use of it (Aran your mansion in heaven will be massive). As I said the link to add a comment is at the bottom of each post. I would really love to hear what you have to say about different posts if anything. I know now that some of you have comments but I do not hear them until months later. Sometimes I know I could add more information about places and people but do not think of it when writing the post. Please make use of that now that it is an option. Even if the comment is along the lines of "this is a load of Grade-A B.S." at least I know something of what you are thinking.

My hope is that by days end you will be able to post comments to this site. At the bottom of every post you will now see a link that says comments but right now it is not working properly. If you are interested to do so then perhaps try later today or else tomorrow. I would like to hear what some of you have to say. So you know to complete the comment you must answer the "Where am I from?" question at the bottom before you submit it. I will head to Cappodocia tonight for a week but hopefully can post at least once from there.

I got off of the phone this evening after long chats with Tara and my parents and was floored at the gifts I have been given in this life. At the age of 23 I have gotten to experience cultures and to explore wonders of nature that some in a lifetime will never see or even know exist. In my former job I had the opportunity to affect the lives of hurting and desperate people. I could offer hope, real love, a simple hug, friendly smile to those who in most cases have never experienced such treasures. After the confusion of my childhood years now I no longer have to wonder why I am on this earth or what my purpose is in this life. I have begun now to live out that purpose and to experience true contentment in its fulfilment.

The most valuable treasure that supercedes and binds all else is that of relationships. First and foremost with my savior Jesus and through him and in him all others. While I spoke to Tara through Skype this evening she had a webcam on and I was watching her little boy Faolan playing. Not all of you know this but I got to spend the majority of waking hours with that little chap during his first month. I was there for his entrance into this world. To have the gift of being with Faolan for some of his first moments and now today to watch him playing and laughing and talking(squeels and grunts but talking nontheless). When I spoke with my parents for a moment my niece Faith said hello to me and later my mother told me that my nephew Colin was walking around. The first I had seen of Colin walking was in the Willis Album on Lovable Quirks. When I left it was the start of his crawl phase and now he is walking and I dare say running at times. I was reminded of each visit to my sister Aran and that in all of the last times Faith would run to the door and shout "Uncle Skyler" at my arrival. These moments, treasured times even with ones so young, are what I am chasing after in this life. I have devoted my life to loving others as Jesus did but the truth is that I have received the greatest rewards. By putting relationships first (Jesus first) I am realizing life to the fullest. What offer of wealth or possession could match the joy in my heart tonight? If you haven't already please also read the post below about my marvelous sis.

The birthdays just keep coming. Today is my sister Lisa's birthday and another opportunity to extend some well deserved kudos. I am so blessed to be part of a large family, each of us having dynamic personalities. Lisa is no exception. She is one that gives her all to any goal that she has set for her life. She cares deeply for the people around her and is willing without hesitation to go to great lengths to help another in need. I will never forget the day of my departure from home when I was seventeen. Her tears of concern and care for me had a profound impact in reminding me that my well being occupied an important place in her heart. I have always known that were I to be in need she would at the very least kick the shite out of a mountain side in an attempt to move it on my behalf.

I mentioned that she gives her all but why not expound. I honestly haven't met another human being who commits himself/herself so thoroughly. Whether it was to the completion of nursing school or a first full marathon Lisa does not waver in her efforts. I was there to provide hugs and kisses at the end of that marathon and as always amazed at her accomplishment. In her work as a nurse I am certain that to those around her she is an inspiration. She loves to be challenged and to increase her knowledge and effectiveness. Situations that she adds her efforts toward are undoubtedly and swiftly improved. I hope that in my life I can achieve such a level of commitment to those things I set before me.

There were times when I was younger that I thought her foolish to drop everything in order to help someone. She has a willingness to answer a need before it is even presented to her. If a hesitation does exist it is certainly not evident or long-lived. It is that same attitude that I wish to maintain. Not being one to ask if the other deserves the help but rather considering the need and if I can fill it. When I am reminded of such things I am so thankful for the example she has shown for my own life. Hers is another birthday that I must miss this year but in spite of I am blessed to use this writing board to celebrate who she is and how her life affects my own.

As I sit here in the hotel with the sweet sound of urination in the room above me I am thinking of communication. Those of you who know me best know that I am not one to keep the lips sealed. In fact at times some might have thought a little of the super glue was in order to keep my trap shut. Sadly the needed strength has yet to reach the shelves. In these five months I have experienced some of my deepest frustrations related to this issue. I am one who not only wants to be able to communicate myself to others but also to explore the depths of all in range. My life is rich because I choose to try in all of my relationships to gain real and deep levels of intimacy as opposed to only scratching the surface. I am passionate to discover the joys, the desires, the pains, the humor, the hopes, the quirks, the giftings, the fears, the loves that dwell within each of us. What is life but to know and to be known? I know not. The desire of our creator and the desire that drives my life.

What is it like for one such as me to have to communicate through a middle man or not at all? In a word or two it is feckin (not to be confused with its vulgar counterpart) and oft overwhelmingly debilitating. I have been humbled in a way that I could not otherwise be by these experiences. Most especially here in Turkey I find myself passionately desiring to communicate but the barriers of language make levels of such impossible. When I meet someone new normally one of my hosts tells that person in brief who I am, what I am doing in Turkey, what kind of work I do. Pertinent information certainly but had I the chance to cut loose there is so much more I could say and so much I would long to know. I am oft in group situations where I can only sit and listen. The language and the communication shared brings intimacy, brings laughter, brings empathy but for me it is merely sound. The other day I felt like a child in the early years who cannot yet understand the world around him/her. I gained an incredible admiration for the development and acquisition of language in a young human being. To learn to speak. To learn to recognize sounds as language. Acquisitions we take for granted but I can assure you that this poor sod is in awe of them as result of my struggles.

Once a depressed and angry teenager was I. I felt that in me was nothing of value or worth communicating. Felt that I had nothing to offer to the lives of others. In the last years my savior Jesus has taught me otherwise. He has taught me that within my heart lie elements of our infinite creator. Beautiful elements that together with those of others make up God's perfect character. I long to share myself with those around me and know that the gifts God has given me can and do affect the lives of others in incredible ways. In knowing the hearts of others I am in awe and I learn more of who God is. In these moments I am without my main tool in the development of intimacy which is language. Relationally speaking I am as a cripple and I am really feeling it.

In the midst of the struggle I am so glad of the experience of it. I have a new and a greater love for our creator's gift of intimacy. Only in the absence of something can you experience the incredible longing for its return. I understand more our creator's longing for intimacy with each of us. A longing for which he sent his son to show humanity who he is and how far he would go to restore that intimacy with us. We so often choose to put a million things ahead of our relationship with the one who formed us. Many spend their lives never seeking to know him in spite of that gift of his son. How deeply should one search to discover such a love as our creator has for us? The more that I know of him the more passionately I long to know. I am glad of an experience that reminds me of the precious nature of intimacy and how I should treasure it. Look out all of you in Phoenix. When I return next year with this renewed passion for intimacy expect me to be on all of you like white on rice, flies on shite, bodyhair on a Greek chap. Oh and for those who want an update I now hear grizzly bear style snores in the room above me.

I had intended to spend a few in one of Turkey's largest and instead spent only a few hours and skidaddled. I have countryside on the brain I think because now on my travels the dynamics of big cities irritate me. Upon arrival I took a taxi ride (mistake which I hopefully will not have to repeat) from the bus station to the center of the city. The twenty minutes in the taxi cost me the same money as the seven hour bus ride from Izmir to Can. As I sat in the taxi and watched the counter increase with hellish speed I laughed at the irony of it. How that taxi driver sleeps at night I know not.

I was set to meet Floyd's friend Yener at a Burger King (all taxi drivers know this location apparantly) but had no idea what he looked like. I sat in front of Burger King looking as foreign as a chap can look without holding a neon sign. I figured the bags and the blond beard would be a dead ringer but I now realize I should have accosted all entering the premises to ask if they knew Floyd. Yener somehow entered unaware of my presence and I lost feeling in the lower half of my body as result of the cold. After the thousandth fan of grilled meat entered the restaurant I realized enough was enough. Also two young chaps had decided to use the area in front of me as soccer goal and were kicking a plastic cup dangerously close to my forehead. I searched for and eventually found a payphone and discovered that Yener was already inside the restaurant. Despite valiant attempts at prevention the tone of the ol' voice changed. In the walk back I regained my composure however and was all smiles (perhaps not "all" but I had at least one good one in me) once more.

Two comments turned the tide of my possible stay. The first was that he would have only the hours of 8-10pm to do anything. The second was that I would pay about thirty euro minimum for the night in a hotel. Extended stay in the city suddenly had all the appeal of a hot jam roll from behind. I told Yener I would prefer to take the night bus on to Can. We went to a cafe and chatted for a while before I headed back to the bus station. Speaking of the cafe brings up a quick question that anyone may attempt to answer for me. Why is it that in a big city a cup of tea costs 1.50 while in a small town the same cup and quality costs 0.50? You must pay for the view that a concrete jungle provides I take it. I got a free shuttle (was unaware of this possibility at entrance) back to the otogar (bus station) and had two hours to wait before departure back here to Can. I have added four new albums of pictures to Lovable Quirks with more to come upon development. The first two I put up are from my travels. The other two are old sets of pictures from 2004 when we (siblings and friends) hiked into the Grand Canyon. It was one of the best experiences of fun and friendship that I have yet had in this life. For those of you who don't know, Lovable Quirks is not only for my pictures but also my family and friends in Phoenix. Pictures from birthdays and Thai festivals are happenings in Phoenix.

Below are links to some music that I heard in Greece. The first two are by Greek artists and give me some major goosebumps each time I listen. I'm not sure why but I find the voices of the artists intoxicating. The last two are good driving tunes that you may or may not have heard before. The last by Bob Sinclair is a great feel good tune. Click the links to listen or right click and do "Save link as" to download.

Mixalis Xatzigiannis- Ola i tipota

Mple- Ton Idio to Theo

Juanes- Adios le Pido

Bob Sinclair- World Hold On

What sick and sordid adventures have I been involved in this week? Well nothing of that nature sadly. My host here in Kusadasi is Serap, a cousin of Nihal and a student at the tourism university. I have enjoyed a week of exploring the area with Serap and her chums and again having some well needed rest. She has a wonderful group of friends and they have rolled out the red carpet of welcome for me. All must study English as part of their studies and my arrival has given them the opportunity to practice their skills. I am impressed by the amount of time they have for each other. In each of the places I have been thus far in Turkey there is certainly more of an emphasis on family and friendships than I witnessed in all my years in Phoenix. Those being my passions in life it is a joy to be in this environment. Those I have met have shown interest in my background and my travels and have tried to share elements of Turkish culture with me. There is an obvious and genuine desire for real frienship.

On my first full day in the area we attempted to hit all of the local hotspots. I went to Ephesus, St. John's Basilica, the House of the Virgin Mary, and a village where wine is produced and there is a strong Greek influence. As a result of their studies I got much of the tour guide information especially from Sinan who has spent time in the United States and speaks English very well. It was a nice change from wandering about with no idea what I was seeing. The highlight of the day was Ephesus (Efes) because of the sheer size of the ruins. It was easy to lose a few hours wandering about among the remains of more than two millenia of history. In trying to imagine how it looked I realized what a beautiful city it would have been. Hopefully in the next few I can get some pictures up of the place.

Since that whirlwind of a day I have been relaxing especially as the demands of school have limited the time with my hosts. Every evening however I have spent with them and having much opportunity to build relationships. I've been introduced to a few more Turkish foods, all of which I have enjoyed, and am finally remembering a few Turkish words. With each new language I have needed some time to adapt to the different sound and to have the chance to actually use the words that I learn. Tomorrow I will return to Izmir for a few days and hopefully meet a friend of Floyd's (my brother-in-law for those who are unaware). Thereafter I will return to Can and my car (I desperately need some warmer attire as the sudden cold has shriveled all of my bits) before any further exploration.

Birthday number two is today and belongs to the only blood brother I shall have in this life. Stephen turns twenty today. It is an amazing thing that he and I are now in our adult years. We were together always until I was sixteen and so much of my life before that I cannot imagine without him. He was my closest friend at times of chasing cows in Ireland and through times of incredible cultural changes when we moved to the United States. There are moments especially after that move that I cannot imagine having faced without our constant companionship. When I think back he was always stronger within himself than I and more able to adapt to the changes we faced.

Thinking of him now I am proud as his brother of the intelligence he posesses. I think that schools in the United States weren't equipped for such. His ability to retain and understand information is incredible. Sometimes in speaking with him I am amazed at the knowledge he has obtained. Whenever he attempts to learn something new whether academic or otherwise I cannot recall a failure. I know that throughout his life if he is challenged and can increase his knowledge he will be a success. He is also one who will always lead others. The strength that he has within himself means that he does not need to depend on others for approval. When we were younger I remember being inspired by his confidence in approaching people that I would have soiled myself at the thought of talking to. He was often one to be the comedian in front of people twice his age and take it in stride. Throughout his life that confidence in him is something others can be supported by when their confidence is failing.

I am excited that I have been a part of my brother's life and for all that the future will bring for him. As my brother his life is woven in with mine and in that I am blessed. Hopefully in the next years we will be reunited here in Europe and continue to share this life as we did in all of the early days.

I am at the moment in a town called Kusadasi and will tell more about it soon but first there are two birthdays to address. The first which I am two days late in mentioning is that of my brother-in-law Ken. He joined the family in December of 2002 when he married my youngest older sister Aran. One could hardly blame him for wanting to join up though I think the decision to do so is a weighted one. Making oneself a part of an already large and close knit family circle is no easy task. Ken has been well able for the job however and much of our family gatherings now would not be the same without him. I have always been impressed at his desire to make himself a part especially at the beginning when we weren't always the most welcoming. One of modern society's acpects that I loathe is when married people cut ties with their families and isolate themselves from that support structure. It is a gift when a member of your family marries and their spouse wishes to make himself/herself a part.

In my time with Ken I have always enjoyed his ability to include humor and seriousness in our conversations. A vast majority of people err on one side or another. We have had chats on the side of nonsensical BS and others that Aristotle might be proud of and I love that both are possible. Some of my fondest memories with him are when math tutorship was the intended action but instead we spent the hours chatting about various alternative subjects. I have never seen him in action at work but I know that he will always be a success especially in terms of leadership with other people. He is one that does not think of himself as better or higher than others because of the roles his work has given to him. At the same time he demands a high standard from himself first and no less from those he must lead.

I am inspired watching Ken with their two children. My niece and nephew display a grace and intelligence that is a testament to their parents love and care for them. It is blessing for me in my pre-childrearing years to have the opportunity to be a witness to members of my fam experiencing those early joys and difficulties. It allows me to be better prepared and I have also enjoyed being allowed to be a part of their early lives. Ken had made his life his family and that is something I love to see. He was and is the eighth member of the fam and the post is well filled.