What a day I had yesterday!!

Usually I strongly dislike surprises. Ok. I hate them. I like to plan things out in a somewhat orderly way and then plan for disasters and then happily make everything work in the end. 
 However,  yesterday: That is Monday on the 13th of June (sorry, since I have not gone to bed yet, I am considering yesterday Monday, I do that all the time) Anyway
  I saw, late Sunday night (OK 2 am Monday morning) A post on FB from my friend Ryan. Ryan is an old family friend. He was my younger brother, Kendal's Mission companion serving   an LDS Mission in Russia. Anyway, Ryan said that he was wondering what he would be able to do in a 12 hour layover in Istanbul on his way to Tajikistan. I gave some ideas but sadly because I am not living in Istanbul I can not go there... I had not been able to talk to Snuggle and I had to work. Well, I finally told him to call me and strangely, I was told at 1 pm (Monday) that I did not have to come in to work on Monday!! Can you believe it? Of all the Mondays I did not have to work and Snuggle did not have to work and I could go to Silivri! I went and at 3:30 pm I got a phone call from Ryan, saying he is in Istanbul and was wondering what he could do: If we could see each other ! I said for him to come to Silivri and we would take him around Silivri! He came and met Snuggle and I was so happy to have Erkan meet someone as close to a family member as he::: until my real family can meet him, but I am so excited! They became instant friends and they just hit it off. Of course I am not surprised as Snuggle truly is an amazing man and so good to me. Ryan said he has never met a finer person and said how wonderful Snuggle is. I think that yesterday got being spontaneous it was a WONDERFUL surprise! We just had such a delightful time. 
  We took him to Kale Park, and Ancient Castle now, a Park with 2,500 yr old columns all over the par, laying there as a reminder of the grandeur the Castle once had. Some column bases have crosses on them, which of course, are ruins from when Christianity was at the height here. 
We then went to the fish market right on the Marina. Snuggles friend took care of us quite well. Salmon here is shipped from Sweden and I really like the Salmon Shish here and I had Snuggle order that, we also ate a fresh salad and colas with bread. OK... ONE WORD::: DELISH!!!!
   The food here in Turkey is marvelous if you know where to go and what to say to them for them to  make it amazing! The salads are my favorite here. So light and just fresh!!! Love it. 
Ryan and Snuggle usually do not like the fish, and neither do I however, you can not sell fish and it has just a marvelous flavor.  We then walked to the beach and then Ryan had his first ayran. 
Ayran is a drink of half water, half yoghurt, and a little salt.  I had this at first and thought... Dear Heavens they are going to kill me! It is so disgusting... Then last Summer I drank it while I was sweating hot in Istanbul. This stuff is an acquired taste but really... If there is a little more yogurt and less water and it is perfectly mixed and creamy it is easier to drink and really good for you.  Ryan drank his first and made the same funny face I made when I first drank it but his stomach ache that he had 10 days before had completely gone! 
  I am not saying I am a Dr but I will say: I kissed my brain today when Ryan wrote me and told me that he no longer has his stomach ache! 
  I will be looking forward to more times in Turkey with Ryan and HOPEFULLY Veronica his wife!  I also hope more friends and relatives come to visit me in Turkey, we would have so much fun entertaining them!

The Snug with Ryan: New Friends!

Our Salads and waters... OH I love eating near the Marina!

Another shot with the bread having arrived

Ryan and I... Looking great for being Jet Lagged and a LONG fight and day ahead!