Eymir Lake fundraising event

My school was having a function this morning that we were required to attend.  It was a fundraiser (I think) for the handicapped and all were wearing shirts that had the word englesiz "without disability" which I never got a clear answer on what the message was there - (or exactly why we were biking around a lake for handicapped people).

I didn't actually feel obligated to go - I'm sure my absence would have been overlooked with my infant at home and the imminent rain this morning, or even using Teoman's sickness would have been enough to cancel.  But I had wanted to go with the whole family - it's a fun place to walk, and even though Teoman and Tolga stayed home together - I put the double stroller and the girls in the car with me.  (Sides note - my girls, my daughters - that's fun to say).  

They had announced to meet at 8:30 at a certain gate - and true to my school's terrible communication skills - they were not at that gate.  The even started at 9:30, and I was wandering up and down the road with a whole bunch of other people looking for our group.  Most were sitting having tea in the gardens next to one of the many bicycle rental place kiosks.  I walked with several others from school to where our crew was - passing the "start" of the event which consisted of our gym teacher / assistant principal on a bike with a bull horn.  It didn't seem like a good turn out with the weather and all.  

I went in the garden and found different ones from our English department spread out at three different tables - oddly separated from each other in their own cliques, drinking tea and smoking.  I knew our department was broken, but I thought we just divided by our grade levels.  I made the rounds saying hello to the different groups, the principal coming to say hi and see the baby along with this woman in administration who I always see but I don't know her function.  (Administration is much more disconnected with the daily happenings of school than American schools, or maybe public schools).  Other teachers came by to see the the girls and I sat with some friends and drank tea - no one in the garden seemed keen on actually walking around the 12 km lake - but we did enjoy the short time together before the rains came.

eating simit and cream cheese

a peacock!