Holiday Times

 Today is the first day of a major holiday in Turkey. Actually, it's not just a holiday in Turkey, but an important holiday in Muslim countries around the world. Here, it is called Kurban Bayramı which means "Sacrifice Holiday." Today, Muslims are sacrificing sheep, goats, cows, and, in some countries, camels, in remembrance of God's faithfulness to Abraham when he intervened in the sacrifice of Ishmael (according to their tradition).

Once a sacrifice has taken place, Turks divide the meat, give some to the poor, give some to friends, and then keep some for themselves. Of all times in Turkey, it is this day that highlights the stark contrast between my home culture and the one in which I currently live.  Last year, we were in Istanbul on this day and as we walked up the street we passed animal skins on the sidewalk, blood running through the gutters, and got a glimpse of animals hanging by their legs in a slaughter area.

This year, we were invited to attend a sacrifice by a close Turkish friend, but we declined, as I believe it would be something that my children would have a hard time understanding and, in turn, letting go of. Instead we're using the next six days (it's an extra long break as it also bumps up into the Turkish Independence Day) for family time and to enjoy the benefits of an extra calm Ankara. 99% of shops and restaurants are closed the next few days, and a majority of people leave to go back to the village or city from which their extended families are from. So, we are taking advantage of empty, calm streets, a quiet building (the downstairs neighbors are gone), and absolutely no construction/drilling noises.

We headed out to a huge park with some new friends our age. They recently moved to Ankara to work for the State Department, but they happen to be from St. Louis, and we happen to know their parents, so we've had great fun getting to know them. 

Here is Zach wearing their baby girl. :) 

 We also headed out for a morning of football and running on the track.

 Can I just brag on Eli for a minute? After a crazy summer of traveling and non-schedule, I realized that Eli THRIVES in a structured environment. He goes to school 4 days a week and quite frankly, comes home with such good and mature behaviors. It's not that they are necessarily teaching him that, it's because he's so insanely extroverted that being with peers all day fills his needs and calms him. And, one of the things that I'm SO THANKFUL for is that we put him in Turkish school at such a young age. His Turkish is awesome. I actually had a Turkish stranger ask me the other day if he is Turkish. She said, "He doesn't look like it, but he sounds like it." It's true. And, because of that, he can easily play with any kid his age. He is fearless in approaching children and flips from speaking English to Turkish depending on who is playing on the playground at the time. 

 

And then there is my little Noah who is just quirky and laid back, but thinks he's 10 years old. Noah can play by himself all day, or be the life of the party in a crowd. He loves all things that are above his age range (because of his brother) like Legos and Star Wars and glue and scissors. He hates holding anyone's hand, and he is currently obsessed with wearing rain boots (not pictured).