Hanging with some great colleagues at Duden Beach in Anatalya Turkey...a nice slow day of conversations and not too many planned activities.

Lunch at a very cool grotto in Anatalya.  Fish was incredibly fresh.

Lunch....I love food.

Old town, Anatalya Turkey

Mediterranean boat ride.

Coastline from boat, Anatalya, Med Sea, Turkey

My trusted, loyal camera of the last 5 years (waterproof, fall-off-motorcycle-proof, never failed) finally bit the dust today as I dove into the Mediterranean Sea and the waterproof compartment came open.  Fortunately I was able to dry the photo card in the sun and save the last photos this good friend would capture.  Another camera, another chapter.

Fresh fish, great food, greater people.

The end of destroying a fine plate of local fish.  That is Anil Ali, our host, in the background.

Another incredible dinner at the home of a local resident.  They outdid themselves with food and courtesy, almost....just almost as great as the recent dinner hosted by Dr. Kate and family for the Russian guests back on good old Trevanion.  Fun to be on both sides of these events, at home and overseas.

The reason it is called Mediterranean Blue and why nothing else on earth looks like it.

Ahhhh, a fine day soaking in the Mediterranean.

I thought this was interesting.  It is Friday (Prayer day in Islam, like Sunday in Christianity) and followers are fairly observant, even in a market area with the retail led lights blinking.  I was both impressed with the adherence and intrigued by the lights.  Not any different that commercial world I live in, but new and interesting to me.

More food, more great spicy food.  Ahhh

Dr. C, Gediz University visit.

Friday is prayer day (like the Christian Sunday) and it is very respectful, though I could not help but notice the flashing retails signs that keep soliciting right during prayers.  No different that the tv adds that run during religious shows, but interesting nonetheless.

I like food and to me this is the perfect light breakfast, serves at Gediz University.

Arts and Sciences, Gediz University, Izmir.  Good visit.

No question I like US flag best, but I like all flags flying proudly in the wind, Turkey no exception.

Back out on the Aegean Sea.

Aegean Sea, crossing into center city. Izmir, Turkey

Dinner at the home of Faruk.  A true feast, we were the family's first ever American guests and we were treated like royalty.

Dr. Caryl Sheffield giving a lecture at the 2000 year old amphitheater at Ephesus

Ruins at Ephesus, Ismir, Turkey

Colleagues Nihat, Sandra, Terri

Ephesus Turkey

2000 year old latrine at Ephesus.  Slaves were used to sit on the seats and keep them warm for the patrons in the winter.

Home of Virgin Mary high on a mountain top in Ephesus, pretty cool place.  Discovered in 1891 and visited by 6 popes.

Found a few hours to wander the streets today.  The people I meet in Istanbul are fascinating and friendly.