Staycation

Did I mention that we have been spoiled rotten lately? Well, incase I didn't...we were lucky enough to have three long weekends in a row due to local and US holidays! The last one was actually more like a 5 day weekend and we enjoyed just relaxing as a family. We are still waiting on our car, which is actually fine because we were happy to just have a "staycation" with plenty of things here in town to still do on our list! We relaxed, enjoyed great company from our neighbors and did just a couple of little "must do's". One of these days I promise we will make it to the Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofya) Karin:)

We did a quick stop outside the Rumeli Hisar Fortress, which is beautiful and amazing up close; but sadly realized that because of the holiday, the hours were different, (so we moved on but no biggie, we'll have many chances to go back)

We then took a picture perfect stroll down the amazing boardwalk along the Bosphorus! It is nice and wide, you can walk for miles, and if you are early enough it isn't even very crowded! We all just love it. It is one of our favorite things for sure to do. Here we also encountered the "adventure" of the weekend when we came across a situation with a naked man, a pack of like 15 stray dogs at his beckon call, and 10 cops trying to get him under control! I was doing fine, until I realized one of the dogs was a huge brown pit bull...hmm, not my first choice of places to be, walking down a street past a growling stray pit bull. The man ended up jumping into the water and the dogs were all barking at the cops, etc! We inched our way past the whole thing and continued on our way, but will always remember our "fun" morning!

Next we made a stop at Starbuck's Coffee in Bebek, which everyone has told us we have to do at least once, because the view are wonderful! It was true, the patio on the back is RIGHT out on the water. We got some smoothies and muffins and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Starbuck's Bebek. Check! (It is hard to tell because of the lighting, but the water is right there)

Next we went to Bebek Park, which we had also been told is a great little "must do" with kids. It is right on the water as well, and had lots of great toys. The boys never wanted to leave, of course.

Later we went to our new favorite burger place (same one as on Istiklal Cadessi, but different location) and I just thought this picture was funny. I love my boys.

On the 11th of September, in support of America (and because of an intense desire for Krispy Kremes, mentioned to us earlier in the week-thank you Courtney:) we decided to do what we could! We headed to this huge mall (I'm told it is the largest in Europe?), picked up several dozen doughnuts (to freeze, ya know), and ate Sbarro and some KFC! And, incase you were wondering...the doughnuts were INREDIBLE! They tasted sooo good when I had been wanting them so badly!

Sometimes just doing not a whole lot of anything is just what the doctor ordered! Who knows when this will happen again though...there's a whole lot more of Turkey calling our name! Ephesus, our next long weekend has your name on it!