Hotels

This week I decided to put up some pictures from the hotels we will be staying at, as well as the website for each hotel. Feel free to also look at any travel reviews as well.

Turkey

Istanbul: Hotel Hamidiye

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Bursa: Hotel Anatolia

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Ankara: Hotel Ickale

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Cappadocia: Hotel Dinler

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Konya: Hotel Ozkaymak

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Pamukkale: Hotel Lycus River

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Kusadasi: Hotel Pine Marina

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Canakkale: Hotel Akol

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Greece

Athens: Pan Hotel

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Heraklion: Olympic Hotel

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Rethymnon: Kyma Beach Hotel

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Matala: Zafiria Hotel

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Naplion: Nauplia Hotel

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Olympia: Olympic Village Hotel

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Delphi: Acropole Hotel

It's getting so close, less than 2 months left!!!!

Enjoy the rest of break. =)

Current Events: Turkey

Update on American Embassy attack: The bomber at the US Embassy in Ankara was confirmed to be Alisan Sanli, an identified terrorist who had previously attacked two government facilities in Istanbul in the 1990s. He was imprisoned following these attacks, but was later released, at which time, he fled to Germany. Sanli returned to Turkey just days before the attack by illegally sneaking across the border on a boat from Greece. (February 2, 2013)

American tourist murdered near Istanbul. Sarai Sierra traveled to Istanbul alone to pursue the opportunity to capture once in a lifetime photos, a passion of hers. It was her first time overseas and although she stayed in contact with her family in New York City daily, they lost communication after two weeks on January 20th. Her husband then arrived in Turkey on January 28th to inquire about her disappearance, and discovered her body five days later with stab wounds and head trauma. There are still no leads on the investigation. Some of her pictures can be found on her Instagram: Sarai Sierra. (February 7, 2013)

Two exhibitions opened in Istanbul. Last week, two galleries have opened new sections that showcase the political violence in Turkey’s history. On display are many old newspapers, photographs, and stories of street fighting and demonstrations that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. This is somewhat controversial, as many citizens feel that it parallels current opposition forces in Turkey now. (February 8, 2013)

Cooperative meeting between Greece and Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, and Greek Foreign Minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos recently met on February 15th to sign several agreements benefiting both countries. This should  increase cooperation of both countries, helping Turkey with its potential EU bid, as well as Greece with the financial crisis. It is also intended to serve as a model of peaceful relations for other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean states. (February 16, 2013)

New source of potential conflict between Turkey and Syria. Rebel forces have taken control of Syria’s largest Hydroelectric dam, the Tabqa Dam along Lake Assad. In the past, attacks along the Syrian border, including a minivan explosion and shots from a mortar shell, have killed and injured many Turkish citizens, prompting the Turkish government to threaten retaliation. The development over this dam further increases the sense of instability along the border as well as tensions between Turkey and Assad. (February 11, 2013)

Sources:

New York Times

Hurriyet Daily News, Istanbul

Week 3 Lesson for Greek

Γεια σας,  (Hello, ya-sas)

Καλημέρα - good morning = kalimera 

Τι κάνετε - How are you? = Te-Kanete

καλα - Good = kala

και σας - And you? = K-sas

I hope all is well, and you guys are practicing your conversational skills. This week we got a book that Heidi gave us that has our itinerary and all the information that is needed for our trip. Thanks Heidi! They look great! 

The first couple of pages are the day to day schedule of where we will be. Also it has all of our topics for the papers we are to be writing so hopefully you are writing those. Next are the hotels we will be staying at (A copy for the parents might be a good idea) and the EMERGENCY number for Heidi when were over there and our Flight information.

Since writing out all the words would be very long, here are some YouTube Videos that go over the majority of the words we learned this week. 

A Conversation of Name and How are you: (Corny but helps)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m24bdMkntk0&list=PLC9EC6E390B4B22E5

 

A Basic Video for Dining words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KczLykw25as

A Basic Video for Shopping words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLZGArGyYfw

A Basic Video that recaps some of the words as well as introduces Numbers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYu4Mf6FVIk

A Basic Video for Questions and Directions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjbSRC93aTg

Something to Look Forward to next Weds. We are learning numbers! Start practicing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Y3Q2tgRBs