The WIEA Workshop (see link below) opened on Wednesday, May 30.  About 70 people from six countries are attending and it is being hosted by Kadir Has University, a private university in Istanbul located on the Halic (Golden Horn).  The weather continues to be spectacular.  The talks and panels today were satisfying and the poster and networking social events even more so.  The bus trips between the hotel and the conference site were smooth and quite quick considering Istanbul rush hour (traffic challenges in Istanbul rival anywhere in the world).

http://wiea2012.auburn.edu/

Randy took about 7 guests to the Dolmabahce Palace and the Topkapi Palace.  He lost one husband (Ricky Ammons) but Ricky found his way back to the hotel without incident.

Ladies at the WIEA 2012 workshop

The first poster session was a big success

Hulya Yazici explains her research to Allison Farmer-Jones

Zeki Ayag (Kadir Has University) and Alice Smith, workshop organizers

On the balcony relaxing after a long working day

Jeff Smith tries the first Bulgarian beer

And the second (prefers this one)

Alice and Jan Twomey - another wonderful shared travel experience

Sadan and Kristi Smith with the Galata Tower in the background

Workshop attendees at the opening banquet

Enjoying sisterhood in Istanbul

Bill and Kim Needy came all the way from Arkansas

Rym M'Hallah and Randy catch up at the banquet

The opening conference banquet was at the university in a dining room overlooking both the Halic and the Bosphorus and the Turkish wine (very good by the way) was flowing.  This was proceeded by a pre-party on our hotel balcony with a few friends which included tastings of Turkish and Bulgarian and Greek wines and Bulgarian beers.  The after party was at the pub next to the hotel (The North Shield) and involved more Turkish wine and beer.  All in all, the day went well and was pretty fun too!