from Luke

I have enjoyed Istanbul several times over. A highlight has been the Hagia Sophia, which was staggering. Its historical significance is incredible. Despite what Tim says, the Dolmabache Palace was not even in the same league as the Hagia Sophia. Another fun time was when I became retarded for a brief spell. We met a man from an English school on a Friday. He was from the States. Saturday, we met a lady at a different English school. She told us she had learned English at the school and stayed on to teach. Later that afternoon, we returned to the school we had visited on Friday. While we talked with him, I decided I'd ask him how he learned English so well- if he had learned it at the school like the lady had. Mustering my courage, I dove in, and before it was completely out of my mouth I realized what I was saying. Everything went into slow motion- my speaking, John and Bob's facial expressions. The man's response jolted us back to real time, when he shouted, "Are you STUPID?! I mean... I don't mean to be rude, but that was a DUMB question!" I turned red. We left soon afterwards. That was a neat time. I love all the people I love back home. I hope you're all doing well.