Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople… Why did Constantinople get the works? That’s nobody’s business but the Turks…
Clearly – when I get around to updating the Stats page – this song will take the cake for most hummed throughout Turkey. And it’s fitting too, seeing as there were bigger and more important changes awaiting us in that city than the grand name change of 1453.
After putting in almost 5,000km over some of the most grueling, treacherous, beautiful, hottest, dynamic, and peaceful roads on the planet, Cory is returning home to continue his studies at Michigan State. Leaving Tashkent two months ago, Theo and I put him through the “sink or swim” bicycle touring learning plan to get him ready for the desert; not only did he “swim,” but he did so gallantly on a bike that I thought at times may not complete another pedal stroke. We had quite the adventure together – mid-night subtle shoving matches vying for space in the tent, sudden hailstorms that left our backs and shoulders in ruins, panoramic views along the Black Sea that rivaled any Bing image – and I can only hope that he will have a couple more stories to share back at school than the next kid. I think we may have to wait, though, before our parents can handle a few more gray hairs before we invite our sister to join along as well. Either way, Thanksgiving dinner will be a boisterous one this year.
And of course, with football season starting today, who better to ride with than two fellow Wolverines. It’s time to take on Europe.