the end draws near

I'm getting over what I hope to be my last illness here in Turkey. It wasn't food poisoning this time-- just a virus being passed from friend to friend here. Almost all of us have had it now. But, as I laid on the couch listening to the call to prayer, I realized that in 6 days this will all be over. No more call to prayer five times a day. No more amazing food that I can't get enough of (until I get ill). No more using charades and random mutual vocabulary to communicate. No more of this amazing country that I have grown to love.

This summer has been incredible-- full of new friends, hilarious mishaps, breath-taking views, big cities, tiny villages, interesting bathrooms, mini fat camp, deep conversations, a new kind of peace, answers to questions, and even miracles.

My job for the next few days is to finish up my writing project-- and I've got a lot to do. I'd love to tell you all more about this very special project in person. I think they'll even allow me to continue to work on it when I get home.

I owe you guys pictures from this last month-- since I haven't posted anything since Greece-- and that was in June. But, I can't do that until I get some more writing done. Wish me luck ;-)