Mersin

I was a little hesitant to go to the hometown of my hubby but aside from the 15 hour bus ride, it turned out to be such a great trip. I got to meet his mother, father, sister, and his brother’s fiancé. They were all so great. Although we couldn’t really speak to each other in the same language we seemed to get along so well. I absolutely loved their home. They have this great balcony that comes off the kitchen and looks over the sea. If I lived there I would spend every day on the balcony.

Kiz Kalesi. The fortune teller told the king that her daughter was going to be killed by a snake. The king built this castle to keep his daughter safe but when the servents were taking fruit to the princess a snake snuck in to the fruit basket and poisoned the girl in the castle. This is the beach where we swam. We were a little lazy to swim out to the castle but we did explore the one just behind us on land. It was so intricate. I couldn't believe it. But it was fun to sit on the old walls looking right down to the ocean and a little scary because if we accidentally fell off we would have totally died on all the rocks before hitting the water. A little scary, but sooo much fun.

Near the Mediterranean Sea in the Mersin.
 

My baby eating "the best Tan Tuni in Turkey."  

Sefer's father  

Driving up in the mountains in Mersin.  

The fam took me out to dinner at this beautiful restaurant somewhere up in the mountains. The view was gorgeous and the air was so fresh and the food was probably the most delicious I have yet tasted in Turkey.
 

Mmmmmmmmmmmm...........Turkish food. I absolutely LOVE the meze (appetizors). There was natural honey, dolma, humus, fresh cheeses and yogurt, and such great salads. Not only that but we were also served fish AND chicken. We ordered waaaaaaaayyyyy too much and Sefer's mom kept telling me to keep eating. I was so full but I couldn't resist the food was amazing! No one can say no to this. 

Megan, Me, and Serina ready or a rock'n night on the boat. 

AIESEC Boat Party

The AIESECers set up a nice little boat party on the Bosphorus with the Alumni, trainees and AIESECers. The trainees were a little disapointed at first because it took so long to get the drinks flowing but in the end it turned out alright. We saw fireworks both in the sky and between a one cute little Turkish-American and her new Turkish friend who would like to remain anonymous. There were AIESEC dances, Turkish chants, and a public viewing of a drunken man trying to pee in a Turkish toilet while the boat was rocking. After the boat docked we all headed to Cambaz to “bridge the gap.”

Neslihan AKA the Turkish-American and best friend Julia AKA the girl from YALE 

Bilal and Utku on the boat with the Bosphorus Bridge in the background.  

A great picture of the AIESECers and Anata. 

The start of a new lovely relationship. Battle it out boys! Lets see who wins.  

Serina, Megan, and Julie busting it out on the dance floor. A bit difficult while drunk on a rocking boat. Bravo ladies! 

This is for everyone who is constantly asking about the drinking habbits of the Turks. I think they have a pretty good idea of how to party. Tolga sneaking a case of beer from the bar to give his friends easy access. Thanks Tolga!! 

Two of AIESEC's "most likely to be 'Hipsters,'" my man Sefer and my girl Elif.  

"Bridging the gap." 

Aakash and I at good old Cambaz the night of the boat party.