Day 1: Taking Flight

Day 1 Saturday 03/02/07
12:05 a.m. EST
Our journey as 19 world travelers began as we departed from Atlanta roughly three hours ago. We began our travels on a pair of steel wings, soaring thousands of feet above our familiar world below and headed to unfamiliar territory to form relationships with people we don’t know and to see things we never thought we’d see.

On our primary flight from Atlanta to Paris, France, some of us watched movies, played games, read books or magazines and slept as much or as little as possible. By the time we started flapping out across the Atlantic, half of the group was asleep in an openmouthed head bob position. Sleeping and dreaming steadily through the turbulence of family and friends back home, of the rest of the semester that lies ahead of us upon our return, or, quite probably, of the events to come and the people we’re going to meet in Istanbul and Northern Cyprus. Our spirits are high with anticipation of the unknown as we all fall asleep 30,000 feet high in the direction we’ve all been led.

5:15 a.m. EST
After 8 hours aboard our Air France flight, we arrived in Paris, France at 11:15 a.m. Paris time, with just less than 45 minutes to catch our connecting flight to Istanbul, Turkey. We quickly transformed from a cultural exchange team to a University track team, sprinting from point to point to get to our departing terminal, on the other side of the Charles de Gaulle airport. The airport was under construction, which didn’t help the odds in our favor of getting to our gate. A few members of our team ran ahead of us to let the airline know we were indeed coming, as fast and as safely as we’re allowed. Luckily we made it through a security checkpoint and on to our flight with literally a few minutes to spare. We take off up into the turbulent blue skies, flying right over the city of Paris where we can clearly see the Eiffel Tower below us along the flowing waters of the Seine River. We’re 2 hours and 45 minutes from our 2-day destination. Our team leader will be waiting for us at the gate in Istanbul, Turkey. From there, our path is uncertain, but we remain anxious…and sleepy.

9:45 a.m. EST
Touchdown in Istanbul, Turkey. As we descended into the skies of Istanbul, and over such landmarks as the Bosphorus Bridge, a lot of us were taken back by how huge the city is. Not only that, but mosque after mosque were sitting alongside each other in rows around the city. They were a symbol that we had reached our destination. After receiving an Istanbul stamp in our passports, we made our way to baggage claim, where no one was missing anything. We then loaded up in two buses in the direction of our hotel, Hotel Troya. The sun was beginning to set on the city, with the moon rising out beyond a mosque. As we curved our way along the streets of Istanbul we took note of our surroundings of people passing by on foot and in a car and also advertising of shows, restaurants and businesses. We were definitely not in Tigerville and for some of the group members on this trip; it was the first time ever being overseas. Istanbul is beautiful. There is a quietness of a gentle soul in the eyes of the residents. Our bus driver, who spoke no English, would wave at everyone he knew next to us or just simply at the sound of a honk. We arrived at the hotel, met up with our team leader at last and the trip definitely sprung into motion. We all went out for a bite to eat at a genuine Turkish restaurant, and ordered many things from the menu for everyone to share plates and sample the country’s food. Our first course was a cheese ravoli (not ravioli), which tasted similar to tortellini or a mixture of hamburger helper and macaroni and cheese. We then got Turkish pancakes with spinach and ricotta cheese, followed by a colorful array of salads, delicious meat platters and a small glass of hot tea. Our first meal together as a team wound down and we made our way back to the hotel before crashing in the bed. Tomorrow will be a full day of sights in the city of Istanbul. Students exchanging culture, literally on the other side of the world.