Part 2

We took the day to go to Ankara.

When we arrived, we were given the choice of going to visit the castle or seeing the Anatolian Museum. This was rated the best museum in Europe in 1997 (I think) and since I know next to nothing about Hittite art, I was game to go.

Thanasis and Yiannis from Greece went too and they were able to explain me some things about the Greek influence in Turkey. Very interesting.

The museum was not, unfortunately. There are only so many fat goddess statues and broken shards of pottery I can take in one morning. The most interesting part was seeing the Kazakhastan delegation follow their president around. They had video cameras and tonnes of security.

Afterwards, we wandered around the little streets close to the castle. Thanasis, Angelos, Jenny and I explored the shops and I bought a nargile pipe. It was a lot of fun being a tourist. I usually try to blend in with the locals but instead I just went with the flow. None of us spoke Turkish and it was obvious all the store owners were trying to rip us off.

Eventually, we met the others for tea at a Turkish coffeehouse. It was lovely! Dark wood, cozy... I got some apple tea which was basically warm apple cider. We also split some cheese and potato crepes. Delicious!

Afterwards, we drove past the museum to see the street blocked off with soldiers everywhere. Turns out Mahmoud Abbas was paying a an official state visit to Ankara and went to see the museum. Good thing we went as early as we did!

Later on, the group split up and we decided to go to the mall to do some shopping. But first, the Greeks wanted to find a Citi Bank. We wandered around the downtown for two hours trying to find the proper bank. !@#$ Eventually, we found one and then made our way to the mall. And what did we see there? A Citi Bank outlet! !@#$

Finally, we met the others at another cafe. As most of my friends know, I abhor smoking. However, seeing as I was in Turkey, I partook in the nargile pipe experience. It wasn't bad at all! We got apple flavoured tobacco and while it was nice, it's not something that I'll be eager to experience again any time soon. And yes, I do have pictures of me with the pipe!

Later on, we went to a Doner Kebab restaurant. The food just kept coming and coming and coming! Word to the wise: don't come to Turkey if you're on a diet. I gained over 5 lbs in the three weeks that I was there. The food is so good!.

Side note: Although I will not touch a lentil with a ten foot pole, I absolutely adore Turkish lentil soup. Maybe I'll make some this weekend!

We ended up at a small club where we drank beer, danced and watched the football match.