USA 2005

Members of Servas Turkey, (Ismail), his wife (Ayfer),
and their 11 years old daughter (Damla) and their
3 years old son (Okan) have receintly visited U.S.A.
for 16 days between July 18 and August 3, 2005.
They left Istanbul on July 18 by Turkish
Airlines scheduled flight (TK-1) at about noon
time. They arrived to NY JFK in the evening
after a 10 hour flight.
They got their luggages from Terminal 1 and
took free AirTrain Shuttle to Terminal 9.
After a very detailed Security Check, they took
the Amirican Airlines scheduled flight (AA-185)
from NY JFK to LA. It took them 6 hours to
fly from NY JFK to LA.
When they were in LA, it was 01:00 a.m. July 19,
2005. After leaving Istanbul, it took almost
24 hours to get to LA. The time difference
between Istanbul and LA is 10 hours.
Their friend BOB was waiting in his car at
Terminal 4 of LA airport. Thanks to BOB for
picking up this family from the LA airport
since they were very tired after this long
trip (10 hours from Istanbul to NY JFK +
6 hours from NY JFK to LA).
Finally they arrived to BOB and GAY's
condominium where they stayed for the next
4 nights. BOB works as a doctor for 2
hospitals in LA and GAY is retired and
looking for a part time job.
During these 3 days(4 nights), they visited
some areas in Pasadena (LA), Universal
Studios in Hollywood, Disneyland, Little
Mexico in LA, etc.
Since BOB was working for his hospital,
he had discounted tickets for this family
of 4 for Universal Studios and Disneyland.
They all had a lunch together at a
Mexican Restaurant in Little Mexico in LA.
Many thanks to BOB & GAY for their
hospitality and everything.
They rented a car from LA airport on July 22,
2005 for a week.
Ismail drove from LA to San Francisco, Oakland,
7 hours. In Oakland, they stayed with their
Servas Host Linda who works for a library
in Fairfield which is about 1 hour drive
from Oakland. Many thanks to Linda for her
hospitality. Next day, they left Oakland
and visited some attractions in San Francisco
including Fishermans's Wharf, Pier 39, China
Town, Aquarium of the Bay, downtown area
of San Francisco, Historic Ships Pier, an
old Submarine, an old WW2 War Ship, famous
winding Lurmont Street, Golden Gate Park, etc.
They also had Harbor Cruise Tour, passed
under the famous Golden Gate Bridge, became
very close to famous Alcatraz Island that
was used as a jail long before.
For the next 2 nights, they were hosted
by Kirk, Nanilee and their 6 years old son Neil
in San Francisco. Okan and Neil played
a lot with Neil's wooden trains.
Next day, they visited the Muir Woods National
Monument where you can see
the tallest trees on earth.
Muir Woods is a few miles North
of Golden Gate Bridge.
Many thanks to Kirk, Nan & Neil for
their hospitality.
Next day, they left San Francisco and
drove to Modesto that is about 2 hour
drive east of San Francisco.
In Modesto, they stayed with their
Servas Hosts Fred and Mary for 2 nights.
They all had dinner together in an
Indian Restaurant in Modesto.
Between these 2 nights, they visited
Yosemite National Park that is about
3 hours drive east of Modesto. They
had breakfast in this National Park,
visited all the attractions in the
Park, visited the Glacier Point that
is the highest point in the Park where
you can reach with your car.
Many thanks to Fred & Mary for their
hospitality.
The next day, they left Modesto and
drove to Santa Barbara where they stayed
for 2 nights with their Servas Hosts
Michael & Brigitte.
Ismail have day-hosted Michael & Brigitte
in Istanbul in May 2005 and shown them
Blue Mosque (Mosque of Sultan Ahmet),
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici),
Aya Sofya (known as Haghia Sofia in Greek
and also called the Church of the Divine Wisdom)
and Miniaturk where you can see most of
the historical buildings of Turkey in
miniature form. Michael & Brigitte have
been to Istanbul for only 5 hours during
their one week Cruise Ship Holiday that
started from Venice, Italy.
In Santa Barbara, they visited the
Botanical Garden of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Zoo,
The Waterfront and Stearns Wharf,
downtown area of Santa Barbara, etc.
Many thanks to Michael & Brigitte for
their hospitality.
They left Santa Barbara on July 29 and
drove 2 hours to LA where they left their
rental car. From LA to NY JFK, they took
Americal Airlines scheduled flight (AA-22)
that lasted about 5 and a half hour.
When they landed to NY JFK, It was mid-night.
They sayed in a hotel very close to JFK
airport for 1 night. On July 30, they
rented a car from NY JFK airport for 3 days,
drove from NY JFK to Dunkirk, that is one and
a half hour drive from Niagara Falls State
Park. It took them more than 7 hours drive
from NY JFK to Dunkirk. In Dunkirk, they
stayed with their Servas Hosts, Marianne
and Paul for 2 nights. Between these
2 nights, they visited the Niagara Falls
State Park. They visited all the attractions
in the park including Aquarium of Niagara,
Observation Tower, Festival Theater(A History
of the Falls is shown), Maid of the Mist(Get
on board for the ride of your life), Goat
Island, Luna Island, Terrapin Point, American
Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls,
Three Sisters Island, Cave of the Winds
(including Hurricane Deck), unlimited rides
on Niagara Scenic Trolley, etc.
Many thanks to Marianne and Paul for their
hospitality.
On August 1, they drove from Dunkirk to
Brooklyn where they stayed with their Servas
Hosts Billy and Justine.
Ismail have day-hosted Billy and Justine in
January 2005, when they spent 10 hours in
Istanbul when they were on their way to
visit Cairo, Egypt. Many thanks to Billy &
Justine for their hospitality.
After staying 1 night in Brooklyn, they
left the rental car at the NY JFK airport
on August 2, 2005. They took the free
AirTrain Shuttle to the Terminal 1 at
NY JFK airport. They took the Turkish
Airlines scheduled flight (TK-2) from NY JFK
to Istanbul. After about 9 hours of flight,
they were in Istanbul after this long trip.
They were very tired after this 16 day holiday.
Many thanks to everybody who made this holiday
possible, enjoyable, valuable, and unforgettable.
They recommend all travelers to see
and visit these destinations when they have
time and energy.
With their best wishes.
Thanks.

ismail+ayfer=damla+okan