Hmm ... it's Independence day. I went to an independance day party yesterday over in Kadikoy. I hadn't ever been there. Actually, I hadn't ever taken any of the comuter ferries. I left the house around 5 PM and went to purchase an akbil: a magnetic form of bus pass... it works on the ferries too. Then I went searching for the bus. Generally, I just walk to Taksim and look at the list of stops on the buses and choose an appropriate one. This time I couldn't find any that said Eminonu or Karakoy. I asked someone and he pointed across the square towards Tomer, where I take Turkish lessons. I walked across thinking the busses there probably go North along the Bosphorus. Sure enough the first one that went by was going to Bebek and Emirgan. The bus stops all have beautiful maps of Istanbul with lists of busses but I haven't figured out how to tell which bus stops where. Once again I pulled out my pathetic Turkish and asked. The guy said that I was (wonder of wonders) at the correct bus stop. A few minutes later the bus rolled up. My Akbil worked and I was on my way to the ferry station at Karaköy. I found the ferry dock without a problem. The ferry station is a two story building that floats on the water. You can feel it rocking. Lately, thanks to my state side friends fears for me, I have been noticing the lack of emergency exits in buildings. When a bomb went off in a shopping mall a while back, the casualties were due to being crushed in the panic and not actually from the bomb itself. I've begun surveying buildings for alternative exits. Maybe being prepared for such a thing will make it never happen.

I love ferries as a form of public transportation. It is relaxing to sit on the boat watching the water and feeling the cool air. (view of Eminönü from the Ferry) I suppose it would get tiring if you had to do it twice a day including days when the weather was bad... But, on the weekend, when it isn't too crowded, and the weather is hot, it is a beautiful experience. There is a little bar inside with trays full of tea glasses. Men walk around the decks selling tea, water and other drinks. I sat on the deck, occasionally snapping a photo.

In Kadiköy I managed to find the party. Tori had found sparklers, an American flag, statue of liberty napkins, and Kentucky Fried Animal number 33 or whatever. It turns out Tori's roomate, Jeri is friends with Hazem and Nadia. She speaks Arabic and is going to Tunesia in September. She is my age and lived in Egypt for 2 years. There were several Turkish students . We ate and lit sparklers. In the distance, someone lit off some large fireworks. Perhaps it was the American Embassy party... or more likely... a wedding.

So, it is Independence day and I am celebrating the fact that I don't have to live in my country.

Woo Hooo!