Tuesday Travels - Elaiussa Sebaste

This was a weekend trip we took last Summer.

The Elaiussa Sebaste, or what remains of it, is an ancient city site right outside of Kizkalesi that was built in the 2nd Century AD. Yep, 2nd century. I can't even begin to explain how surreal it is to be climbing up and around on structures that are that old. We have also felt it weird for us to be able to get so up close and personal with these artifacts and relics. Not that we're complaining, because it has been amazing, but back in the States the same site would have roped off areas, Do Not Touch Signs, and a tour guide. Not in Turkey. Maybe because there is so much that is historic here, it's not as big of deal? The amazing becomes common?

So as it was, we were on our own touring the relics of the Elaiussa Sebaste.


Like how there is a house built right above the theatre?








Another part of the ruins are across the highway.




Part of the aquaduct.






Climbing on the ruins.




The tiny tiles amaze me.


I like the pillars, too.






A very large lizard!





These were just a few pictures of what we saw that day. I hope they have done the place justice. :)

Tuesday Travels - Kizkalesi

Back in early July we spent a few days in Kizkalesi, another Mediterranean coastal town. Kizkalesi is in the Mersin province and it's English translation is "maiden's castle."


The legend of Kizkalesi Castle is that a fortune teller told the king that his daughter would be killed by a snakebite. He thought to protect her by building this castle off the shore to protect her from snakes. The castle didn't protect her though. In the end, a snake was brought to the island in a basket of fruit, and she was bitten and died. Apparently the same story is told for a Kizkalesi Castle in Istanbul, so who knows if the tale is true or not.


This beach was definitely more crowded than the one in Karatas.


Give Brennan a pail and shovel and a spot to dig and he's good.


I think he was building a castle.


There were vendors walking around selling about anything you could imagine. That takes some skills to balance a big tray of bread on your head. Also check out the lady sitting on the left. That is one version of a Turkish swimsuit. Basically fully clothed, including a head scarf.


Brennan has such an easy time making friends. He met this little girl at the Rain Cafe, a little restaurant that was close to the hotel where we stayed. I don't know how much they understood each other, but they had fun playing games.

In Kizkalesi there is another castle onshore called Korykos Castle. With it being so crowded, and so HOT we spent our time in town on the beach, but both castles are open for touring. Kizkalesi isn't too far away from us, so we plan to go back on a slower weekend.

Tuesday Travels - Karatas Beach

It's hard to believe we've been in Turkey for over a year now. Last year started terribly with me breaking my ankle, so we were unable to do much or go far from the house until the summer months came around. We did get out as soon as I was able, but those adventures never made it to the blog.

Well, with a new year comes a new start, and since I know you all want to see some pictures of Turkey, I'm going to backtrack and post about those trips until I get caught up. As you can see, I even got really clever, and I'm calling the catch up posts Tuesday Travels.


Are you ready?

Our first stop is Karatas Beach, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Adana Province. I don't have many pictures, because I spent most of the time just enjoying the beach, and not taking pictures.


Karatas Beach. It's pretty cool when you go to the beach in Turkey. No sooner than your feet hit the sand, a beach attendant is there to bring you chairs and an umbrella. (For a small fee, of course.)


The water was nice and warm. Brennan loves to swim. I think this summer we need to get him into swimming lessons.





Like I said, not many pictures of our trip to Karatas, but we had a fun time. It is on our list to go back to this summer.

Dressing Up, Bowling, And A New Carpet

Hello Everyone! First of all I would like to thank the sweet reader who emailed me to see everything was ok with us since it has been so long since I last posted. And also for everyone who has mentioned they miss my blog posts and enjoy reading and keeping up with us. I miss it all too. Since I've gotten so far behind, though, it just seems overwhelming to start again. I'll get it together soon. Maybe I'll start with a year in review, and do monthly recaps until I catch up.

But for now, I want to share our fun-filled weekend with you.

First there was this. Which was technically not a weekend event, since it was on Thursday night, but is going to make the cut regardless, because anytime we are able to get all dressed up, get a babysitter, and go out by ourselves is worthy of documenting.


Aren't we cute? This was a graduation ceremony/dinner for an ALS class that included one of Jason's Staff Sergeants. Congratulations Eric!

On Saturday, we HAD to go visit Sparky the Fire Dog and his friends. Earlier in the week, Brennan's kindergarten class went on a field trip to the fire station for Fire Prevention Week. While they were there, the firefighters told the kids they would be at the BX at 10:00 on Saturday, and everyone needed to come. Brennan took that to heart, and on Saturday morning, he was ready to go bright and early with this fireman hat on.


Looks like a future fireman to me!








Sparky!


He was just a little excited to have on the fire suit and to stand by the truck.


One with Daddy.


A hug goodbye for Sparky.

After our visit with the firemen and Sparky, Jason had to go work on a squadron Halloween project and Brennan and I went to the commissary. I know that doesn't sound like fun, but since we weren't getting much, I let Brennan push around one of the kid size carts, and he had a blast at that.

Later that evening, we went to a  BBQ at some friends' house. It was nice just to sit back and relax. We had a good time conversing around the fire, playing cards, Brennan played Wii with some other boys, we all had some great food (and there may have been a few drinks for the adults.)

Then Sunday was pajama day! Yay! Brennan and I are big fans of pajama days, and since he started school we haven't had a chance to have one. Jason, not so much, but he does occasionally enjoy a lounge around the house day.

On Monday we went into the Alley to one of the carpet shops. Originally, we weren't planning on buying anything, but after being offered a really great Columbus Day Sale deal, we ended up coming home with this new addition to our Turkish carpet collection.


What do you think? This is the biggest carpet we've bought so far. It's a nice and neutral grey, so when my frequent urge to redecorate strikes again, it should transition just fine. (Speaking of redecorating...some of that will be happening soon, so stay tuned!)

After our carpet buying trip, we headed to the bowling alley for some bowling and pizza.


It was Brennan's first time bowling. I think this picture sums up how he felt about that.


He used the rack for a little bit.


But most of the time he wanted to bowl like Daddy.


Checking out the scoreboard controls. Does anyone actually know how to score bowling by themselves anymore?


The monster face. This is Brennan's current photo face. I think it's payback for all the times I've told him to smile with his teeth, haha.








Pizza at the bowling alley must be better than pizza at home. Brennan ate a whole small cheese pizza all by himself.



Jason was the bowling winner, of course. Sadly, I think Brennan beat me at a couple of games, too. We'll just say that it was because he had bumpers.

Yep, that's it.