Hello from Turkey!

I would like to send the first update to the parents back home that the group had a great dinner at Pirpirim, a restaurant in between our hotel and the airport. We are in the Grand Anka Hotel in the area of Istanbul known as Findikzade which is quite an exciting, commercial district. For dinner we had a selection of appetizers, salads and meats which everyone sampled until we were all very happy and full. Everyone is settling into their hotel rooms after dinner as we were obliged to head straight to dinner to maintain our reservation. The group has also had a short meeting where we once again made sure to introduce ourselves and to go over some guidelines for the trip.

We, and especially us as the guides, are so happy to see all of the group's smiling faces. We are meeting tomorrow morning at 8:45 am to begin a day of touring a few historic sites such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrom, and Topkapi Palace.

Best to all in Georgia as we are heading to bed for a good night's sleep for tomorrow's new journey!

KCW