Tue 31 Oct 2006
Posting has been slow and I’ve been a bit less creative these past couple of days. I just got back though and I promise to have uploaded some of the many pictures I have on my camera. You can ring in the month of November with them.
(See? I could have just said, “I’m tired bitches.” But I didn’t. So eat that, I’m nice).
Until then I’m curious, what are you guys (everywhere) doing for Halloween? And costumes, yes we’d like to know what you’re going as.
Merci beaucoup.
Muahahaha!
Mon 30 Oct 2006
This is a taste (<-- haha get it?) of what it looks like before dinner at my place.
Sun 29 Oct 2006
Today (October 29th 2006) marks the 83rd anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic.
Sun 29 Oct 2006
I can’t wait until the Borat movie comes out, due for release on November 3rd (in the US and UK). Here is a deleted scene:
Don’t know who Borat is? He is a “Kazakhstani TV personality.”
I’ll post more videos upon request!
Fri 27 Oct 2006
That my Lufthansa flight had free Internet, but I used up all of my battery during my 6-7 hour layover in Munich. Only about 10 minutes to go…
but Internet in the air? Cool! 
Fri 27 Oct 2006
Is run by Vodafone who will charge you 5.95 Euro (or roughly 13 dollars) for every 30 minutes online. One of the most expensive I’ve ever come across.
You’ve been warned!
Fri 27 Oct 2006
I’m in the airport now waiting for the Lufthansa counter to open up. I arrived to watch the sunset here this morning - quite an impressive site. They’ve been playing American 80s music and the place is deserted, except for this guy on my right who is killing off his second large beer (at 8am)!
I must admit I considered it too.
I wish I had a camera to take paparazzi photos like Cousin Bucur’s site, but it ran out of batteries weeks ago. I’ve got some pretty interesting army stories when I get back.
It was funny when I arrived - I don’t have any paper tickets due to some changes in my flight schedule, so half deaf from my ears being blocked up I went to the Lufthansa counter. It went something like this:
What time is your flight?
Ah…good question, I don’t know. I’m going to Washington, can’t you tell me?
What time is the flight?
Hmmm…I think 12.
Then some confusion and we finally figured it out. That is if I heard everything correctly :?? If not I’ll be having beer and shnitzel for lunch 
The lady was all pissy.
Okay, so the beer drinker just came over to ask me how I got online. Turns out he’s Turkish and his name is Erol. Erol likes beer. Germany is cool that way.
Updates to come soon - my weeks in the army, the places I got to see in Ankara, and your usual travel advice/random info. Okay, I’m running out of Internet credits so I’m out!
Thu 26 Oct 2006
Heading back to the States is always difficult - but this time more so than before 
…but opportunities await, and the only thing between Point A and Point B is yourself.
I miss everyone already 
Thu 26 Oct 2006
The past three days of bayram ended yesterday here in Turkey. You can read all about it here, but I thought it would be a good time to introduce you to Tom Brosnahan. I had the opportunity to meet him last year - he wrote the first travel guide on Turkey after his first trip there in the 60s as a member of the Peace Corps.
He has since written many good books about Turkish traveling, life, and culture - but it’s his website that really caught my eye. It gives any information you could want about Turkey from an American point of view - the questions he asks are the ones most people think of first:
Mon 23 Oct 2006
Lugano is a small and very Swiss city in the south of Switzerland. Everything is close by and even I was able to map out a good part of the city while I was there. The first thing you notice when you get out of the train station is the stunning mountain scenery and as you walk across the walkway the amazing Lake Lugano.
You might as well be in Italy as any other language (other that perhaps German) will get you nowhere. I don’t know any Italian but learned that “ciao” will get you very far. I’m so ignorant that my sister had to teach me please (por favore), thank you (grazie), and you’re welcome (preggo). If you don’t speak Italian beware. You won’t be greated warmly - but I can’t blame anyone, I should have picked up a word or two before I came. My goal is to learn very basic tourist Italian before the new year. You should do the same.
Ticcino is the canton that Lugano is located in (Ticcino = the Italian speaking part of Switzerland).
Lots of expensive shopping - a few bars and not too many clubs. My sister says (and I noticed) that people in Lugano are older and the primary reason for being there (other than studying) is to shop. Every expensive store you can think of is there (Dolce & Gabana, etc). I’m not sure how much partying the Franklin students can do - though I’m sure they’ll find a way.
Inside the Orario delle Sante Messe Church.
Chocolate, chocolate, (and coffee) everywhere.
Shopping district of Lugano.
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