So I will be making the move from Sacramento to Santa Cruz here VERY soon. After burning man I got home and decided it was time for change. It all fell into place so easily and immediately and I feel like it must be the right path. I start work on monday at my new job, and get to move into my new place in a couple of weeks...couch surfing in the meantime (thanks friends!).
I will miss all my Sac buddies but there is plenty of room for you to stay in my new place, so dont be strangers.

I dont even know where to begin - this was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Its so hard to be home again...

The Aegean Journey
27th April – 12 May 2007

27th April Overnight international flight to Istanbul.
28th April Arrive Istanbul Transfer to Hotel Hali (0090 212 516 2170) in Sultanahmet, the old city. Dinner will be at a local restaurant with Gypsy musicians. LD
29th April Istanbul Sightseeing of the old city. Topkapi Palace: home to the Ottoman sultans with visits to the Harem and Treasury. And The Justinian Cistern: built in the 6th century. After lunch we will visit the famous Suleymaniye Mosque where Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife Roxelane are buried. Dinner will be at the famous Kumkapi village with gypsy musicians and dancing in the streets. BLD
30th April Istanbul Free morning for relaxing or shopping the Grand Bazaar. Afternoon we will take a cruise on the Bosphorous Straight. It is one of the world’s most strategic waterways and runs and irregular course between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. D
1st May Gokpinar Village House (0090 252 373 5750) Early flight to Dalaman for a full day tour to Dalyan and Turtle Beach; famous for its mud baths and Lycian rock tombs. We will take a private boat tour along the river to visit the mud baths, rock tombs, and the famous Turtle Beach. Late in the evening we will arrive at the village house. BLD
2nd May Gokpinar A day of learning the village life. The music and dance center is located on the mountain top with breathtaking views. There will be time to relax in the hammock, tree house, hot tub, or take a walk and find your own quite place. Later, there will be a village party with drumming and dancing. BLD
3rd May Gokpinar Another relaxing day of village life with optional local sightseeing. BLD
4th May Bodrum Harbor Enjoy a quiet morning at the village as we say goodbye to the group going back to Istanbul for the Gypsy Festival. Later in the morning we will transfer to Bodrum for a visit to the Hammam (Turkish Bath) or shopping in the bustling town of Bodrum. After 3:30 we board the yacht for our Blue Cruise. Dinner and overnight will be in Bodrum Harbor. BD
4th May – 10th May Greek Islands We will be sailing the Dodecanese Islands of Greece. Blue Cruise is the term used to describe sailing a yacht on the Aegean Sea. This traditional built, handmade wooden boat is called a gullet. It has a private bath in each cabin. The captain, crew, and cook are very experienced in handling the boat and catering to all our needs. Delicious Turkish cuisine, including 3 meals and afternoon tea will be served each day. Beverages and bottled water are available for purchase on board. The captain and crew are continuously at our disposal. There will be excursions offered to explore each island. BLD
10th May Kusadasi Charisma Hotel (0090 252 618 3266) We disembark the boat after breakfast and journey up the turquoise coast to a farm where we will shop at the local farmers market and enjoy a cooking class and a delicious meal in the farm house. There will be drumming and dancing with a local belly dancer and friends. BLD
11th May Istanbul Morning flight to Istanbul and transfer to Hali Hotel (0090 212 516 2170) B The remainder of the day is free for shopping, walking the cobblestone streets and enjoying lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes, or relaxing on the hotel rooftop terrace to take in the awe inspiring views of the old city. Optional tours offered: Hagia Sophia: in Greek it translates-The Church of Divine Wisdom. It is one of the most important and impressive buildings ever constructed. A landmark in Istanbul; it was built in the 6th century, converted to an Imperial Mosque during the Ottoman Reign. It was the greatest church in Christendom until St. Peters Basilica was built in Rome a thousand years later.
The Archeological Museums: There are 3 museums in the complex. They include treasures from Nineveh and the oldest writings from the Hittites and Egyptian kings, Greek and Roman marble statues from 500 BC, and Ottoman and Turkish art. Depending on your interest in very old art, fine statuary and tiles, you could spend between one and four hours in the museum complex. The easiest way to reach the museums is to go to the first court of Topkapi Palace (the tree-filled area open to the public without charge), turn left about midway into the court, walk down the cobbled street and look for the museum complex on your right.
12 May Transfer to airport.