Unfortunately, my name is Constance.

Sometimes I wish my name was Caroline.
Not cuz I hate the one I've had
But simply cuz all them boys would surely go mad
Over me and my darling name,
Oh my, oh what a sight!
Those boys would line right up to my door clear past midnight.

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

They'd all be linin' up at my front step
Comin' from miles and miles around!
They'd be tryin for my attention,
Yellin and shoutin my name

"Caroline, oh Caroline, Oh Caroline won't you please!
Just come out here, oh, Caroline,
We think you're just the bees knees!"

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

I'd come out on my terrace,
For a rich gal I would be,
My golden curls would be a bouncin'
And all them boy eyes fixed on me.

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

I'd pick me out a good man,
Pick him right out of that patch.
My mama would be proud and say,
"Sweetheart, that ones a catch."

And he'd say
"Caroline, oh Caroline, Oh Caroline won't you please!
Just take my hand, Oh, Caroline
Won't you plumb just marry me?"

Sometimes I wish my name was Caroline,
And here's the reason why
I'd find me a good man,
And with him I'd get to fly.

But today that's not my name,
No, it never will be mine.
But I'll dream until the day I die
That my name would be Caroline.

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

"Caroline, Oh Caroline, Oh Caroline, I'd be!
God won't you name me Caroline,
So I can be happy."

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

Pomukkale, Turkey

No more second hand smoke, camel dung or baklava...

We are going home. Because home is where the heart is. Unfortunately most of my heart will be in the Midwest with my parents, and they will not be at home upon my arrival. But such is life. 

Last night was probably the most fun I've had in awhile... which is the equivalent to a couple of days since I've been having such a swell time. Anyway, it was our last night in Istanbul and a group of us decided to hit the town and try to see all we could see before we left. One of our goals was to also perform Istanbul by They Might Be Giants. If your ears have not been plagued by this exceedingly catchy song, please stop reading this blog and look it up on YouTube. Its essential. So we took the local, very crowded transit system and headed for the Spice Market down town. Upon arrival, we set up shop, with myself playing the kazoo and back up vocals, Mr. Weller on the uke and vocals and Mr. Chadwich mainly looked awesome in his authentic Turkish fez hat. It was a hit. We had quite a few admirers gathering to hear our melodious song. 

My favorite part of this exertion was after we sang Istanbul and the small crowd around us asked us to sing an encore. We picked a lovely song called 5 Years Times by Noah and the Whale (great song/band, check it out). It was quite the hit, and there were people dancing little gigs and trying to sing along with us even though they had no idea what we were singing. It was only after we were done that our little crowd decided to move along, when one man told us goodbye and said, 'Just like your song! Where ever you go there will be love, love, love!'

People, no matter what language we speak, where we live, food we eat or even songs we sing, all have one thing in common: we all want to love and be loved. We all want some sort of hope in our lives that there is good in humanity. There is. You may disagree with me, however, the next time you feel like a cynic or skeptic, try singing. It just might make you feel love. 

Unfortunately, No One Can Go to Constantinople.

So this is our last full day of our trip. I'm sorry I haven't been able to blog as much as expected, but some of the hotels we have resided at are slightly greedy about sharing their internet with poor student travelers. But anyway, we are in Istanbul, Turkey at the moment and spent most of our day at the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar. I don't think I've smelled so many... unique smells all at once. My nose was a bit overwhelmed by the time we cleared the area. There were also as many smells as there were people... so many people. I feel as if personal space does not exist on this side of the world being as mine has almost left me completely, due to the immense swarms of Turks that I have closely encountered today. But lack of personal space or not, today was a good day. I bought some mate and apple loose leaf teas (which I was more than elated about), some Turkish Delight, and also some souvenirs for some friends- you know who you are. Tonight we are finishing our wonderful day with a Bosforous cruise through the city. Looking forward to the lights and sounds of the city. Overall, I have loved Turkey. Although I did find myself strangely craving falafel today...

Cappadocia, Tapioca and Bread

Yesterday we barely made our plane to Turkey, much to the annoyance of the passengers that had to wait for about an hour for us to arrive. But we are here, and that's all that really matters right now.

So I'm sitting on the patio that is right above our hotel swimming pool, contemplating on whether or not I'm going to pretend that I have gotten lost and somehow not make it onto the bus tomorrow morning, so that I can live in Cappadocia forever... I've seriously fallen in love with this place. It not only is dry and warm (which would be good for my general well-being) , but the scenery is magnificent. Its as if the good Lord shaped this place with his bare hands and not only called it 'good', but excellently precious in his sight. The sun seems to shine extra lovingly upon all that lives and breathes here, and the wind does not howl, because it is perfectly content.

Today we visited the Gerome Open Air Museum, which was a plethora of houses and churches, carved into the side of lava formed cliffs. These places were amazing! It was like lightly stepping into a whole other world. Late in the day we went and visited the pottery shop of Chez Galip, one of the most famous potters in Turkey. Having taken some pottery classes before, I was in awe of this man's craftsmanship. He wheeled a masterpiece (one that he considered junk) in a matter of seconds; something that could take me hours. After the day, we retired to our rooms and then went to eat dinner at the extravagant buffet provided by our hotel. There I helped myself to bread with dipping oil and herbs. A perfect ending to a wonderful day.