Biddy in Madrid-y: Rome and Istanbul: Splugen and Kitty Hookah

Finally, our second big trip with the program: ROME AND ISTANBUL! Both were as awesome as expected, and I'm starting to feel very lazy so I think I'm just going to give the highlights instead of the play by play.

ROMAAAAA
Visited: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Arch of Titus, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum, Sistene Chapel, Piazza de Popolo, Victor Emmanuel Monument

Group pic!

Highlights:

Seeing my Phi Sig Sig seeesters! We went to a karaoke bar on Tuesday and some club on Thursday, and they're all beautiful and wonderful and it was AMAZING to see them/ gossip with Kaedy.
After karaoke bar, I was extraordinarily hung over the next day and almost puked in the Roman Forum. But I didn't so I count that as a win in my books!
My first meal in Rome was fried chicken. Great decision.
FOOD. SO MUCH PIZZA. SO MUCH PASTA. SO FUCKING GOOD.
I'm not really an art person, but the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica absolutely blew me away.
Me and Nate Bronstein accidentally got in a beer chugging contest in a bar and he won. I've never been more disappointed in myself.
Playing kings in a hotel room is a great way to get to know everyone in your program.

So hungover I literally could not lift my head

Just try to say the name of this beer without giggling.

herro

LITP

ISTANBULLLLLLLL

Visited: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkaki Palaca, Hippodrome, Underground Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Galata Tower

Group pic!!

Highlights:

FOOD. SO MUCH FOOD. LAMB. CHICKEN. MEZEDES. DONER KEBOB. AND BEST OF ALL BAKLAVA AT EVERY MEAL. INCLUDING BREAKFAST.
People here are really aggressive when they try to sell you things/ get you into their restaurants. My favorites were:

When three girls were walking with a guy, they would call out "Charlie's Angels!" This worked especially well when we were with Charlie Dale.
"Are you tired? Come sleep with me!"
"Do you want scarves? OR CHILDREN?"

I bought 9 scarves in the Grand Bazaar. I don't even wear scarves. I can never be allowed there again.
We went to the royal palace, which is now a museum. The two best parts:

The Harem, which we decided was the precursor to the sorority
The Circumcision Room. Really?!?!

I look downright ethnic with a headscarf on.
And the best part of any trip or moment or place thus far in my life, KITTEN HOOKAH!!! We stumbled upon this place in a small alleyway near our hotel, and it was MAGICAL. There was hookah which is all well and good, but the best part were the three KITTENS that lived there! So fucking cute, I was obsessed with them. We went here three nights in a row.