Some time ago

we walked into a school in Lviv. We needed some information on English language books for the school in Ivanivka, which is badly under resourced. We met the English teacher there, Oksana. The school - Lviv Academia. A much respected school in Lviv, we were to find out.
Oksana was more than helpful in book suggestions for the school in Ivanivka in the Chernihiv area that we were trying to support. With monies raised through trawden4ukraine, family, and friends, we were able to buy books 
But it didn't end there. We were able to establish contact between the English teachers in, respectively, Ivanivka and Lviv ; Alla and Oksana. An invitation went out for some students and teachers of the school in Ivanivka to visit the school in Lviv. And today it happened, with students and teachers arriving in Lviv.
First they went to the school in Lviv, followed by tours of Lviv in the tourist train. Must have seemed quite surreal.
We hope it's a positive experience for both schools, and that it will be able to continue.
We continue our few days in Istanbul. Unbeknown to us, we are here at the Eid holidays. And a 3 day national holiday. And Istanbul is packed to the rafters. We have never seen such crowds, as for example, around the so called Blue Mosque.
However everywhere we go, we are met with kindness and helpful people. Whether it's how to buy tram tickets, or in a famous bookshop, Galeri Kayseri, which Turkish authors, who have written in English, we might like to read. 
Today we took to the waters of the Bosphorus, on boats that criss cross the straits. And at the same cost as a bus or tram ticket, about 65p. Memorable.
We have also been able to visit a Mosque, which was incredibly beautiful, with a thick, richly blue carpet covering most of the floor, with a beautiful chandelier hanging from the domed ceiling.
We have also been able to visit Gülhane Park, a park filled with tulips,  which, apparently originated in Turkey, along with hyacinths. A riot of colour.
It's ridiculous, but I feel guilty at having a few days off. I know it's completely irrational but there you go. 

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