Merhaba

Marhaba, is hello in Turkish. It's been a wild ride since I left Australia. I thought Australlia would be a nice transition before making my way into a country where they don't speak English. I was wrong. I think Australia is more American then America is. Anyway I landed in Istanbul and had plans on meeting a friend of a friend named Anil. I couldn't understand anyone or read any of the signs so I kinda just wandered till I got to the main city center. I found some wifi and met him. 

I stayed the night at his the first night, he had a beautiful view and he took me around. We went to the Galata tower and walked down Istiklal street more then a million people walk down this street a day they say??? Sounds like a lot but it was very busy. I've been able to see the famous Sultanahmet (blue mosque), Hagia Sofia a Greek Christian Orthodox Church turned mosque with beautiful tile artwork Of Jesus from 534AD, also walked through the Grand Bazaar that is 66 streets, 3600 shops and employs more then 30000 people. Also went and saw Dolmabahce palace built in 1800 and was where Ataturk their liberator died. It had 285 rooms no big deal.

The second night Anil had to go to his parents so I moved in with one of his friends Hazar. She and her roommate have been so kind letting me stay for almost a week! We went and sang karokee a night, I sang Beat It by Michael Jackson of course. 

Her cousin led me around a day to show me the city and so I could get to know the public transit system ( very easy) and I walked on Europe and Asia in one day booyah. I've taken tours of Topkapi palace and saw Moses staff (didn't look as big as I had imagined) and toured the Basilica cistern (underground water tank from 600AD, and have been to Taksim square multiple times. This is where they had the Gezi park protest and riot that happened in June last year. Still many riot police around to prevent another riot.

Yesterday I got to experience a Hamam (Turkish bath), the one I went to was the Cemberlitas hamam which was built in 1584 and I had an 70 year old man bathing me. It was very awkward but a great experience. The room is the temperature of a sauna and you have 120 degree water thrown at you from this old man. He rubs you to get all the old skin off then scrubs you down with soap and throws buckets of water at you. I was giggling the entire time because it was so funny and a completely different experience. 

Besides that I have been eating many different Turkish foods all so good and and they serve mussels outside of all the bars at night so you can eat them between bar stops. They were so good. 

The few things I've noticed since beig here is that there public transist is extremely good, the people try to sell you anything and everything in the street, how unprepared I was to come to another country that doesn't speak English but I'm figuring it out quick. But the biggest one is how conservative everyone dresses. Especially the girls they cover every piece of there body and they don't wear tight clothes. 

It is joked that they have a mosque every 7 meters They have so many. They also play the praying music from every mosque everyday 5 times a day

I think next stop is Romania just cause I can. And I'm leaving here Monday! Hope all is well and Remember not everyone speaks English 

This is what I've been using to get around. They use trams, subways, and buses to get around.

Istiklal street

Galata tower

Hagia Sofia 

Basilica cistern 

Crossing to Asia 

This was at a bar I stumbled upon

Dol palace

In the Hagia 

 Blue mosque

 This is where the riots were taksim square

7th largest suspension bridge in the world, as well as a mosque getting renovated. 

Topkapi palace

Lots of tea

That's a Turkish kebab 

Gone for a Drive

Time is Flying. Only 6 more days in Australia and off to Turkey I go. So we Rented that van, and at first i was so pumped on it but as the drive went on I was not the biggest fan of it. We stopped in South West rocks and slept in a Van down by the river, a local told us we could sleep there for free. The mosquitos terrorized us and the humidity was unbearable. We did not sleep very well but was up with the sun and continued our drive to Coffs Harbour. We rented surf boards and it is nothing like surfing behind a boat. i never got up once and the locals were very annoyed that we were getting in the way and just looking absolutely ridiculous. We helped a guy launch a hang glider and watched him for a bit and he told us we could camp for free at Saphire beach. 

We woke up and made breakfast in the back of the van. on the road again we stopped in Lennox Head and went swimming in a lake they have their. It is surrounded by tea trees so the lake is dyed dark brown and cant see more then 6in deep in the water. it was a bit erie but so amazing and warm. That was our shower for the previous 3 days. Byron bay was just up the road and it is a little resort town for surfing, Similar to Breckenridge in Colorado for Skiing.  

We met up with a friend of a friend and he offered us a couch to stay on which we gladly took. We beached, met friends, and hung out the 2 nights we stayed in Byron. WE also went to a spot with a rope swing and as i was getting out of the water i came within 2 feet of the Brown snake (2nd most deadly snake in the world) and Brannan came across a spider the size of his hand. this place has some crazy animals. This place was gorgeous and probably my favorite place so far this trip. 

We continued north to Glass House Mountains, which are very similar to that of Devils Tower but much smaller but like 5-6 of them. WE camped here and made our way to Steve Irwin Zoo the next morning, and then on to Brisbane where we walked around the city, went to the city pool, and met a couple who explained how the Game Cricket was played. 

WE flew to Melbourne the next morning. stayed at a hostel $38 dollars a night and shared the room with 12 other people. We got grounds pass to the Australian Open, watched some matches, and then went to a Twenty20 cricket match that night in the Melbourne Cricket Grounds holds 100k people. The Stadium was ginormous. We went on a tour to the 12 apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London arch, all along the Great Ocean Rode. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. We Swam in the Gorge and the Bus driver said he had never seen anyone swim in it. That night we went out with a bunch of the Hostel kids and had a ball dancing the night away. We got the Oportunity to go to a Lumineers concert in Melbourne and had a fantastic time. 

The Next day we checked out and flew to Perth where my buddy Lachlan (was on exchange to Montana State Last Year) lives. We got to celebrate Australia Day (There Independence Day) out on a bunch of boats and met many of his friends. 

We have been having a Ball and im sorry my spelling is so horrible. (im an Engineer) Hope all is well with everyone else, here are some pics and Next Stop TURKEY.

Sydney

First and foremost the water after flushing the toilets do not swirl the opposite way that they do and the States but they do drive on the wrong side of the road. I apologize for not updating this more often as I have not found an easy way to do so but right now I am in the Public library in Coffs Harbour Australia. We rented a Van yesterday and have been driving North to our destination in Brisbane where we will then be flying to Melbourne. Sydney was an amazing experience with beautiful views and architechture that is astounding. We checked out the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and took a Ferry to Manly beach. We Rode bikes to Bondi beach, Got extremely lost,  and also went to Tamarama beach and Camp cove a more local beach. The waves here are large if you in the right spot and My body surfing is seriously going next level (no money to rent board). Check me on the cover of Body Surfer Magazine next month, haha jkjk. We have been to many local pubs as well as some large clubs as i have never done this sort of thing and it blows my mind how many people they can pack into some of these places. We went to IVY, World Bar (serves drinks in Tea Pots), Bereford ( Artist Montgomery played live and i have never heard of her before but amazing), and Scubar with World Famous Crab Races. Have had so much fun and have never walked so far in my life. The weather is flawless and my skin is the color of a Tomato. Hope all is well With everyone else and Keep checking for more updates.

PS.. We had a random police stop this morning and both had to take a Breathalizer, we passsed of course but just so you all remember no drinking and driving even in Australia.

About to Begin

The journey is about to begin, in the Denver airport thinkig about the adventures to come. With no real plans insight it ought to be the time of my life, meeting new friends and building stories for friends, family, and future generations. Just wanted to thank everyone I saw over Christmas break. Had a blast with all my friends out for my birthday and all those who joined me for New Years. The time is now and reality is here. Wish me luck as I tackle the rest of the world. Oh and also I want to thank my family for everything they have done for me. Jamie and Lora thanks for the great weekend up in winter park with the family! Love you all hope everyone enjoys the blog! And let me know what you think or want more of as I post.


Here is a picture of my bag before and after





Let's Go!