Warning Trojan Horse Ahead

We arrived today in Gallipoli, which is about four hours SW from Istanbul. Driving down the Asian coast of Marmara would take longer so we drove west and then crossed the Hellespont by ferry, where Alexander the Great crossed the Marmara on his quest for world domination. The air was brisk and we could taste the exhiliration of victory. However, the ANZAC and Ottoman troops in WWI were not so lucky. Over 110,000 people died here in 1916. This bittersweet strait is deadly, even for Leander and Hera (an old poem that tragically ended when they drowned swimming across the strait). Nonetheless, our trip is cool but it is freeeeeezing cold.

Today it didn't rain, which is a nice change. Earlier we stopped at an ancient Byzantine castle and ran around on the walls and bunkers - it was fun. Two people have gotten sick so far - hopefully it isn't because of the dead chicken heads we were playing with in the streets - haha just kidding. Hopefully the rest of us will stay healthy, but if we don't, our group is essentially a walking pharmacy, so I think we'll be okay. I bought a mosaic lamp and a Turkish rug yesterday -whoops it's a good thing I have a job. So much for traveling on a budget.

We're seeing Troy tomorrow, then on to Pergamum (Bergama), Sardis, Smyrna, Priene, Epheses, and Didyma. I'm excited! Check out the Macalester homepage, my picture is on the front page www.macalester.edu. Bye!