Çanakkale & Bozcaada, SAY HEY?

This weekend, my adventure (read as: Russell's planning) took me to Çanakkale and Bozcaada. There are four other Fulbrighters in Çanakkale... but unfortunately we missed out on seeing two of them (next time, Shannon and Devin, if you're reading this!).

Çanakkale, for you history nerds out there (looking at you, Kuski), is a seaport located on the narrowest point of the Darnelles (or Hellespont) on the Asian side of the Aegean. More fun facts: Çanakkale is not far from ancient Troy (again, Kuski), and from here, you can visit the various monuments and memorials to the lives lost during the Battle of Gallipoli (one more time for good measure, Kuski).

Basically, from what I've seen, it's a beautiful city. It more or less puts Balıkesir to shame. It's right on the water and it's gorgeous. Feel free to explore below, but only if you're not a Fulbrigther and trying to decide if you're going to come visit us in Balıkesir. 

On our way!

The Trojans probably chilled here.

Check out them Dardanelles!

Pide for dinner!

Çanakkale!

I'm bitter.

  

Not too shabby of a shot, huh?

The next morning, Rebecca (a Çanakkale Fulbrighter), Russell, and I headed on over to Geyikli to catch the ferry to Bozcaada. 

Rise and shine, suckers!

Bozcaada has mad history! Settlement on the island, which is at the entrance to the Dardanelles, dates back to the Early Bronze Age; since then, the island has been under the control and possession of the Greeks (it was originally known as Tenedos), the Byzantines (because what didn't the get their hands on),  the Venetians, the Genoese, and the Ottomans (HEYYY!). Pretty much a smorgasbord of history, which I loved. On our first day, Russell, Rebecca, and I made our way around the island by bicycle. Needless to say, I was hurting by the end of the day, but I sure did see a lot!

Hellooooo, Bozcaada!

Just a little tea to get the day started!

Where we stayed! Prime spot, y'all.

A cemetery in the middle of a super historical mosque. All of these guys were important Ottoman officials.

Borek for breakfast? Oh yes.

On our bike-tastic adventure!

Azayma Beach!

How is the Aegean Sea this clean?!

This whole "Mary standing in bodies of water" is going to be a thing.

The rough life of a Fulbrighter.

A Turkish guy on Azayma Beach was selling meringues. Pretty much delicious.

A Greek Orthodox monastery dating back to (what we think was) the 1730s.

A Greek inscription on the water fountain at the monastery!
(Translate, Kuski?)

Rebecca! What a cutie!

Bozcaada is known for its grapes and vineyards.
We ate these! (Read as: we stole these!)

Bozcaada also has a wind farm that generates enough daily
power for approximately 30,000 people. Not too shabby, Turklar.

This is where me and Rebecca's adventures for an elusive lighthouse ended.
Note the despair in her face.

Our dinner! (That poor fish never knew what hit him.)

Oh, pastanesiler, how you will be my downfall.

The view from the roof of our hotel!

The sweet, sweet end to my first day in Bozcaada!