Last days and a few thoughts

Carpet shopping

Too many beautiful carpets - after looking at dozens it was so hard to make a choice..... This was a great shop; the owner spoke excellent English and was assisted by his 83 year old "Baba" (father).  As with most Turkish businesses, we were offered tea, and they even had apple tea for us.   He also gave us a ride home with our three purchases in his car.

A different style of Muslim cemetery in Ankara

Kugulu (swan) Park

This was the small lovely park very close to our apartment - we got to see the seasons change here.

The BYU Chamber Orchestra stopped in Ankara on their Eastern European tour and performed at Bilkent University with two local performers.  Very well done.







Probably the greatest thing about traveling is the chance to meet new friends.  The hard part is saying good-bye, but I am confident we will meet again and that reunion will be sweet.

Our Senior Primary class; front L to R:  Christian Goff, Zeynap, Jessica Goff, Sasha Flanigan, Sarah Lewis.  Back: L to R, Bryce Lewis, Deb, Brigham Erimtinger, Roy
We really enjoyed team teaching the Old Testament and quickly came to love these wonderful children.

Our favorite missionaries: Elder Alton and Elder Levitt

Goff family in their Easter dresses from Grandma

Bud and LeeAnn Fackrell 

Tazehabadi family: Tara, Tina, Mina, Irani 

Lewis family

Hansen family: Suzie, Ralph and Suzie's mother - Annette

Ralph was the Air Force Attaché in Ankara as well the Branch President.  Suzie had an amazing voice and organized the Women at the Well Fireside.  Annette held a weekly quilting group to tie coverlets to give to refugees (10,000s in Turkey from Syria, Iraq, & Iran).

What I will miss about Turkey:
- The view from our apartment overlooking the city.  We could see Ataturk's mausoleum and the large mosque.  It was spectacular at night.
- yummy fresh bread
- walking everywhere I wanted and taking a taxi home if needed
- Nisantashi bazaar where all the sellers would offer samples of exotic, unique foods
- Selep - winter-time hot drink made from powdered ground orchid root
- Sacrament prayers in Turkish in our small Branch
- friendly shop keepers at Ulus
- friendly Turks especially in the small villages
- new Bechtel friends at the office
- being within walking distance of church although uphill going but downhill coming home :)

 I will not miss:
- the crazy Taxi drivers that sometimes went much too fast
- Turkish drivers period.
- grouchy checkers at the grocery shops
- expensive long distance phone calls to my family and friends in the US
- very few low-fat food items at the grocery shops (lots of things are laced with honey!)
- not having a large clothes dryer
- my tiny and temperamental oven