Dear Rotary,

For nine months, I have been a guest of your beautiful country and before returning to Germany, I'd like to thank you and give you a short impression on my stay.

I don't pretend to fully understand the dimensions of all the events which took place during my stay, but I learned a lot about Turkish point of view about politics and the world.

In the beginning, though I had other things on my mind. At my arrival, I was overpowered by the size of Istanbul. I was
uncertain about how my life would be aand if I would find my place among the Turkish people. In German schools, we learned nothing about Turkey or its history. For Germans, Turkey resambles sun and the promise of "thousand and a night".

As I slowly explored part after part, I saw the huge contrast of this European Metropolis with its beautiful and mosques and remains of the great Ottoman Empire. Of course I visited Topkapı Place, Blue Mosque etc.

One of the most precious memories ismy visit to my friend's family during Ramazan Bayramı. The whole family (40 people) welcomed me with so much hospitality and real friendship which I will remember forever. For the first time, I fell at home here in Turkey.

Ulrike NEHLS