Fenerbahçe

Game day! Heading over to the Asian side soon to catch the big fenerbahçe vs. galatasaray soccer match tonight. Unfortunately our seats are way in a corner of the stadium despite the fact we bought our tickets at 10:02 and they went on sale at 10:00. These fans are legit. I'm more excited to see the fan base than the actual game. Should be a "ballin" time... (hah get it?)

TOMORROW

Yet again another event that I have been looking forward to all semester is finally here: SPRING FEST. This all-day carnival is a celebration held on campus annually. This year we have four Turkish performers gracing our campus. Two of the performers are the most famous Turkish musicians EVER in the history of Turkey. They are like the Justin Bieber and Beyonce of America (except obviously not that cool). Tarkan and Teoman are the headlining acts. I hope there is a moon bounce and cotton candy like the American carnivals I know and love....

TEOMAN

TARKAN

Pamukkale Teaser

You would think a place this beautiful couldn't be real...

Public Restroom Side-note:

A lot of the time public restrooms (such as the ones in restaurants) have lights that are triggered by motion sensors. These motion sensors have very very short timers so that if you stop moving for more than 10 seconds (I am not exaggerating) then the light turns off and you're sitting there in the dark. For this reason I have perfected the "potty dance." It is a combination of the robot and shimmy. It involves a lot of intricate hand motions and head bobbing. In these situations with the motion sensor lights you have two choices: either use the restroom in the pitch black and remain vulnerable to zombie attacks and giant spider bites OR do the "potty dance." I usually choose the latter.

Surprise Surprise

Awhile ago I applied for the mentor program with UNCW's International Programs to be linked with incoming exchange students next fall. I was loving my exchange experience so much that I figured why not be a mentor back at home? I hadn't heard anything back from them since my application so I brushed it under the rug and relatively forgot about it.... until I got an email back with this image attached.....

Apparently my application was an automatic binding contract.....

So meet your new UNCW Exchange Student Mentor, Stephanie Renaud..... HOLLA!

Fun fact.

Today an older Turkish gentleman lead Hannah and I under a fence, through high grass, around the corner, up the hill, climbed over a gate, and into an old abandoned castle at the top of Selçuk. It was sunset and it was glorious.

Hostel life

Im munching on some pomegranate pistachio Turkish Delight in my hostel bed. With 10 other beds around me in this room decorated with Australia and New Zealand posters. Hannah is journaling and listening to country music. My hair is all wet and up in a towel from the shower which was satisfyingly hot but uncomfortably cramped. I just painted my toes and noticed a blister forming on my heel because now it's flip flop season. We are visiting Selçuk for two days and then going to Pamukkale and Kusadasi before heading back to school in Istanbul. My life has turned into a revolving door of hostel beds and my university. However, recently I have been spending more time away from campus than actually on it. My roommate is probably starting to forget what I look like. But all this travel is worth it especially this weekend because we are going to PAMUKKALE!

Pamukkale is THE reason I decided to study abroad in Turkey. I was surfing the Internet last year and stumbled upon a beautiful image of the white hot water springs. It was so fascinating I researched further and found out that there are actually loads and loads of such fascinating things in Turkey. Then I discovered Istanbul and Koc University and the rest is history.

When I visit Pamukkale I will have come full circle. Can't wait can't wait.