It's a Nice Night for a....bus ride: Thoughts on Slowing Down

People have asked me how I manage to cram all of what I'm doing into the time I have been here. Trust me, everyday is an adventure and as per usual, I don't sleep like I should (but more than school! I get at least 6-7 hours here!!) 

This week, I've slowed things down a bit to enjoy a "normal life" in Istanbul. What constitutes normal (at least for me)? Several things: 

1) I got to see the doctor. As if I lived here. (See previous post) 

2) I enjoy 5 hour dinners with Texan Turks on top of a roof of a building. You see, the Turks know how to slow it down and appreciate a good time. For instance, the next day, when we were both still hungover (or rather maybe still a little...), everyone asked, "What did YOU do last night?" To which we both replied, "We had dinner." And it was true. We had plate upon plate of mezze, delicious fish, hot pockets that are from heaven, and fruit. The fixed menu was unlimited food and drink. Hmmm... I never laughed more in Turkey than about our future gypsy tears business.

3) I grocery shop. Always an adventure. 

4) I.... cook. Yes. I cook. Or attempt it. I buy the ingredients and pray that I cook things that won't make me sick. This week, I tried making the mezze with yogurt, lemon, oil, and watercress. I forgot the garlic. I tried making a chicken, grillable cheese, zucchini, and onion dish with a peppered yogurt sauce and pasta. Not bad, but seriously needed some other flavoring. 

5) I exercise. At least a half an hour each day. Count my commute, and then you have an hour. 

6) I work. I write e-mails, and I make plenty of phone calls. 

7) I make plans for trips to visit family members. 

So this week was my first slow-ish week. Thank god. After dinner dates and surprises every day of every other week, I was happy to slow things down a bit. Until they get crazy again with some projects for work next week, my travels to the South East, and my Kosovo adventure coming up. 

Upon looking back at my time, I realized that I never had a routine really. Ever. Finally, I get one week to know what it is like. Its nice, but I'm happy next week and this week are going to be crazy once again. :) 

Tonight I'm going on a bus ride to Ankara to visit my sister. Lovely right? It may end up into a "danielle does Konya" trip on Sunday to see the birthplace of Mevlana Rumi. Who knows at this point though. I just want to take some advil PM and go to sleep on the bus.