I have been an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for more than 37 years, and I love learning about cultures and countries.  Six years ago I taught a very bright young man in high school who had just arrived from Turkey.  Ogan brought his mom, Dicle and younger brother and sister to an after school jack o"lantern carving activity I was hosting, and Dicle and I became good friends. Even now that I have retired, I still tutor the younger brother who is now in high school.  Dicle, has shown me pictures of Ankara and Istanbul, given me guide books to architectural and historical sites, told me stories of her visits to Ephesus, Troy, and Konya, and given me a beautiful statue of "fairy cones" that she brought back from Cappadocia.  I have been using an online app to learn some Turkish, and I dream of the day my husband and I can travel there and cross from Europe to Asia, relax on the white sands of Konya, see the travertine pools in Pamukkale, bathe in Turkish baths, and eat true sis kebabs!  Being in Turkey during its historic centennial celebration would be amazing!