Since TOM I think things here have been the average sort of never-having-enough-time busy. I honestly can't remember where last week went and what exactly I did, except I do remember having to say goodbye to some really great people. So it is when the end of the summer draws near and all of these foreigners trapsing all over the planet have to scurry back for thesis writing, job getting, and school starting. This Saturday will be more of the same, as we are having a gathering at the Latin Force (the apt. where all the Latino trainees live) for food, fun, and farewells.

This past weekend was also pretty uneventful, as I was taken completely by surprise by one of those small, annoying colds that turn your nose into a faucet and leave you just exhausted enough to not do anything outdoors or too physically active, but not exhausted enough to stay cozied up at home. I think my body is still a little pissed about me shoving meat and bread down my cake hole instead of sweeet sweeeeet vegetables, packed with all their vitamins and nutrients..mmmmmm. Well, that was the last straw. I've made a solemn vow to really make a consolidated effort to my health, ground breaking I know, for who would consciously want to take care of themselves? Complete madness.

As my Sunday plans of exploring a nearby waterfall were replaced with observing my nose as a leaky faucet, I've decided to make this Sunday the big day. By taking a series of dolmuş and the metro through various towns and villages, you are supposed to end up about 3-5kms away from Suuçtu waterfall. I think it sounds like a jolly good adventure and am really looking forward to it.

Last night was the first night of something called the Rhythm Project organized by local ngo Local Agenda 21. They had an idea to do something for World Peace Day (Sept 1st), and wanted to gather people from different countries to play music together. The grandiose vision is proving that even individuals from different backgrounds, who don't even speak the same language, can come together through music. They approached Aiesec because the grant the ngo applied for to get funding to bring foreigners to Turkey was rejected, and so what better place to look? At the moment the trainee tally is two German, a Taiwanese, Tunisian, two Ukrainian, a Costa Rican, and me. I think there are about ten to fifteen Turks. But don't picture the Boston Symphony, think more like Stomp. We're using no authentic musical instruments, only pots, jars, keys, jugs, etc. I think it could turn out to be pretty cool, and at the very least I meet some pretty cool new people, whose crazy Turkish names I'm doing a pretty good job of learning if I do say so myself, and I get to play with "instruments!"

There is another meeting tonight for the Rhythm Project, but first priority goes to Indian Culture Night at the Aiesec office! I'm quite excited about it, because even after having my share of Indian friends, one can never learn enough about a culture. Plus maybe they'll have samosas! Wishful thinking, but a girl can dream, can't she?!