Arrived in Chicago!

All a bit tired but safe and sound!  Next stop: Sioux Falls 

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Day 10: Ankara

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Today started with a 9:30 am departure to the Turkish Parliament, known in Turkey as the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. While there, our tour guide walked us through the General Assembly and the areas surrounding, such as the entry point for important politicians and dignitaries, and the wreckage from the 2016 Parliament bombing. We learned about the physical division of the Grand Assembly: elected representatives sit on the floor, dignitaries are situated above and to the left, high ranking military and judiciary personnel view from the upper, right section, and the press sits in the back along with other spectators (see photo below). Parliament has 600 members elected by proportional representation. Perhaps one day I’ll be entering through those tall and shiny doors as a diplomat! Next, we spent time at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ataturk essentially founded the Turkish Republic, and led the Turkish National Movement during the Turkish War of Independence...
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Day 1: Istanbul

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