One More Day Till Istanbul

We head off tomorrow for Istanbul, after a very long wait, lots of anxiety about packing and flying, so it will be good to finally get there and enjoy the city and friends for a month. Things have really fallen into place; Margaret Matthews has been wonderful, lending us her apartment, arranging for a ride from the airport and setting us straight on a few ways to get around in the city. Hasan, too, has been more than generous, buying our tickets to and from Gocek, arranging a ride if we need it, and just being a good friend. I have gotten in touch with many RC students and b-ballers through Facebook, so it would seem I will have lots of people to see and have conversations with. Most of my students if not all are in their 50's, with grown children so it will be interesting to see what we talk about. I wonder how politics will enter in as well; most of them still seem very liberal, if not socialist and I am not sure of their attitude towards the US. We are meeting the Eptings at John Chandler's home the day we arrive for a drink. He, too, has been so accomodating and willing to help out with making us feel at home. I hope that I can repay him and the school in some way, that I have something to share with them, both faculty and students. It's strange how, since we have arrived in Darien, I have not thought a moment about the lake, only about the grandkids and our trip to Istanbul. We have had a great stay here in Darien, the highlight being the boat and swimming on Sunday; a beautiful day, we anchored off an island, swam, cooked hot dogs and sausage, enjoyed the sun, and talked. Julia was able to come in from the city so we talked quite a bit about Turkey. She loved it and crammed as much into her three days as we did in seven years...a bit of an exaggeration but she did see alot. Yesterday, Evie and Beth went shopping, so I went into the city, walked for a couple of hours, then spent two hours at the MOMA, starting on the fifth floor with all the recognizable impressionists and worked my way down to furniture and housewares. Two hours is just right. Rami met me for lunch at Haru, a bustling sushi place; the outdoor pation was filled, as were most tables inside, so we sat at the sushi bar. We finished the night off with Jamie Olivers pressed potatoes, chicken thign s, cherry tomatoes and herbs. I am sitting in a Barnes and Noble, enjoying my new netbook, as I write this. Early mornings are very busy for Beth, sending three kids off to school. The most enjoyable part is watching the metamorphosis of Tyler in the morning, as he dons he khaki's, button down shirt and tie. He looks like a completely different kid from the day before, grown up and serious. No wonder parents love these schools, that require a dress guide, including a tie. I am going to head home for lunch, as Beth and Evie are no doubt still shopping.