The Mall

I'm baaaa-aaack!  Jordan and I really haven't done much worth blogging about so I have been MIA.  We got all of our stuff a week ago so we've been setting up our house and getting settled.  Before our stuff was delivered, we were told that there had been some severe damage to four out of the five crates.  Luckily, everything made it in one piece with just a few pieces of furniture suffering only mild dents and scratches.  I will post before and after pictures once our house is finally set up for your viewing pleasure.

The real reason for this blog post is to talk about the mall.  Jordan and I went with our new friends and close neighbors, Jeff and Katie, to The Optimum mall that just opened ten minutes from our house.  We all piled in to the surf (see prior blog post) as Jordan took to the Turkey roads for the first time.  This brings me to my first pic...

I snapped the picture too late but you can see this guy hanging out of the back of the truck filled to the brim with stuff.  Keep in mind this was taken going down the main drag at a decently high mph.  Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to take the picture of the two year old riding with his dad on a moped with no helmet or seat restraint.

We walked around the mall which was way bigger than I was expecting.  It was four stories of shoes, clothes, makeup, furniture, and even a bowling alley.  We had a late lunch at the food court which consisted of KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Sbarro, and....

Can you say RANDOM?!  

The coolest thing about the mall was the view from the foodcourt...

For dessert we had this...

Kiwi and bananas smothered in this...

I forsee this being a regular stop on all of our mall trips!  DELICIOUS!

AND If you're not in the mood for chocolate, you can head to the CORNinCUP kiosk for a treat...

Perhaps we'll hit this up next time!

We had a blast and I can't wait to head back for some serious shopping!

Jordan and I plan to start traveling in the next few weeks so instead of pictures of chocolate fountains and Popeys, we'll hopefully have more entertaining views to share with you!

The Car

Before we left the states, we decided to sell Jordan's 2000 Ford Explorer.  When Jordan first got to Turkey, his first priority was to find a car to buy.  Little did we know that within just a few short days, he would find this Toyota Surf for sale.  He snatched it up and bought it before I could even see a picture of it...that wasn't stressful at all!  I was skeptical at first but after taking a few rides in it, I think I'm going to grow to love the Surf.

Some of you are probably thinking, I've never even heard of a Toyota Surf.  Well I wasn't familiar with this particular model of vehicle either.  Please notice which side of the car Jordan is sitting on in the first picture.  According to Wikipedia, the Surf is the Japanese version of the Toyota 4Runner so the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car.  And NO...the Turks don't drive on the left hand side of the road.  I see many curbs being run over in my future and possibly being able to obtain a position as a mail man.  Wish me luck!!! 

We Have Arrived

Both Laytons have officially arrived in Turkey.  It has been a long journey for both of us but we are here and we are ready to start our two year adventure. 

I have promised most of you a blog, so HERE IT IS!  My plan is to keep all of you at home updated through this, so please help keep me accountable for posting stories about our life and our travels that are soon to begin!

We love and miss everyone so much and can't wait to Skype you soon!!!

DISCLAIMER:  I apologize if anything you see on my blog is in Turkish.  Some things on my screen appear in the foreign language and I still can't figure out how to adjust it!