One week from today I will be on a plane home. Im not sure yet how I feel about that one. We had class this morning and then met up at 1:30 to go to the Sakirin Mosque, this is the mosque I had mentioned before that we tried going into but a ceremony was going on at the time. This mosque was just built earlier this year and is the first mosque in the world to be designed by a woman. The mosque is on our side of Istanbul, the asian side. We grabbed our usual number 19 bus down to the ferry dock but instead of going on the ferry to the european side we got in a minbus taxi to get to the Sakirin. We made a deal with him to wait 20 minutes for us to take us back to Kadikoy (the ferry dock). I was very excited to see this mosque not only because its the first mosque designed by a woman but because its so new. I was looking forward to seeing a comparison and contrast between old and the new. The outside of the mosque is beautiful. The inner courtyard I really liked as well. Pictures will be posted when Im home since its on my good camera. The inside of the mosque...there were aspects I liked and aspects I did not like. The colors I enjoyed and I liked how there were clear windows and pieces of work you could see through to the outside. I personally felt like it was bringing nature inside. Not sure if thats the point but that was my take. The minbar was just too modern looking. The mosque is beautiful though and Im so glad that we were able to enter it this time.

After the Sakirin Mosque we went back to Kadikoy, myself, Colleen, Miles, and Robyn decided to go do some shopping since this week is SUPER busy. Plus Miles wanted to get some things for friends that were girls so he needed some help. We went back to the Calvary bazaar since Robyn and Miles had not been yet. I got some more things there and one of the shop owners remembered me so gave me a free evil eye pendant. I bougth a necklace from there this time too (yes another necklace Vicki!!) Me and Robyn decided to leave the bazaar early to catch the call to prayer in front of the Blue Mosque on video. We agreed to meet back up with Colleen and Miles at our favorite place to eat at 5:30. The call to prayer starts around 5:15. We sat down on some benches right in front of the mosque and got into position pressed record at 5:15 that way it was ready for when it started that thing didnt start til 5:17 and ended at 5:24 thats a long time to hold your arms up especially with the sun beating right down on you. So hopefully it turned out good. I am for sure going to miss hearing that everyday 5 times. Last night was the first night I heard the morning one. I happened to wake up at 4:30 and shortly after that it began. We met up with Miles and Colleen for dinner and then we went to the spice bazaar for Colleen to grab some things. I may end up going back there before I leave once more (for the third time!) Now Im back on campus its almost 10pm and im exhausted. Tomorrow we start our full week of things so I will be very tired. I cant believe this is my last week here. I already miss it and Im still here. I promise to do a blog before I leave just about that...leaving and coming home.