We can't believe it's over....

It is hard to believe our trip is ending soon. We have enjoyed it so much, and it will be hard to return! On Friday most of us presented our topics to one another. We felt among friends, which made the presentations even better. I was very impressed that the principal had been to a Montessori in Boston, and valued the learning style and in fact had incorporated some of the Montessori philosophy into their programs, which I was able to see later at the school. The presentations were all very interesting and inspiring.

At night we went to the Rio Bravo restaurant. After a good meal we danced until past midnight to a Latin style two man band that made great music. We encouraged most of the bar/restaurant to join us on the dance floor. One of the highlights was the La Bamba party train. We are now staying at a 5 star hotel, Conrad, overlooking the city.

On Saturday we traveled to the kindergarten and the elementary/middle school to tour and then finish our conference. We were impressed by the schools' facilities, artwork and furnishings, and we enjoyed hearing about the others' programs, including our Turkish hosts. We had a great lunch in the school cafeteria (we never had food that good in my school cafeteria!)

Then we went to Hagia Sophia, a museum/mosque/cathedral. The many layers of history show how important Istanbul has been to so many over the centuries. Then we went to the Grand Bazaar, a shopping area to match no other!

At night we went to an amazing place called Sortie. It is part night club, part restaurant and occupies a large open air waterfront area. We dined al fresco, sampling a delicious variety of Turkish foods and drink. We celebrated Patty's birthday and Alice and Bart's anniversary. We danced and talked the night away and arrived back at the hotel at 3:30- in enough time for some to get ready to get to the airport for their flight home. The Turkish people really know how to have a good time- and evidently the Americans do as well.

We left the next day for the airport at about 12:30 and said good-bye to the those remaining. We will never forget this great experience.