Sorry it's been so long since our last post. We've had some computer difficulties, but mostly we've just been very busy. We've gone a few mini-holidays with our friends, who have been so amazing. Turkish hospitality is really unrivaled. We are still astounded when we think of all the nice things they have done for us, such as taking us on a wonderful vacation to the seaside! We went to a lovely seaside town along the Marmara about three-four hours from Istanbul. Then they took us sightseeing along the coast and through the countryside. Mom and I nearly died when we saw the turquoise Aegean peeking through the olive grove covered hillsides. We were ready to stop the car and settle down in a nice little village, until we noticed all the women of the area were the ones outside working and sweating like crazy. After seeing one woman carrying two extremely large metal containers of liquid (we assumed water) with no destination in sight, we decided maybe Turkish rural life was not exactly a page out of Under the Tuscan Sun. However, it still looked really wonderful, and I'm sure the people who live in the villa's on the seaside did not have it so rough. The second evening, Ozgun's parents took us for an amazing fish dinner right on sea. Marco really branched out from his regular fish sticks by eating a whole fish including the eye! (which grossed out his mother, but I have to admit that I really admired his adventures spirit). Then, on the last day they took us to swim in the Aegean. It was the clearest water I've ever seen. (I've never been to the Caribbean or South Pacific which everyone says is the best, but let's just say neither Virginia Beach or Santa Monica compare). Everyone had a really great time. The kids had a great time at the beach. Osman helped Marco and Carolina skip rocks and they all had fun splashing around. True to form, I stepped on a sea urchin and ended up with about 100 needles in my foot, which was almost as bad as having our new friends operate on my less then freshly pedicured feet. All in all it was a great weekend. We love our new friends, and love it here. I guess I just can't say it enough. It was really wonderful, and the vacation was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for us.