1.TECHNOBIRD IS IN ISTANBUL

1.1. Zeynep ÖZDOĞAN-Yayla Primary School

Technobird is a very popular eTwinning ambassador and a technologic bird. Turkish etwinners have been so successful and popular recently. That’s why Technobird is wondering Turkey and Turkish people so it decides to travel to Turkey. European NSS calls Turkish NSS and gives information about Technobird. Turkish NSS makes an announcement on live etwinning.net and is looking for volunteers. Better Together Project’s family is a volunteer for this mission. All members of the project in different cities will take Technobird around their cities. They collaborate with each other. They are so excited and happy. They look forward to meet Technobird.

Yayla Primary School students and Zeynep teacher meet Technobird at the airport. Yayla Primary School surprises Technobird with an exciting helicopter tour. They get on the helicopter and travel over İstanbul. Technobird is so surprised and so happy. When they pass over Sultanahmet Square, Technobird notices a large and a colorful place. It feels excited and wonders what it is. One of the students says “Tulip Carpet”, “this is the largest tulip carpet in the world”. Technobird can’t believe in its eyes. It says “it’s amazing and fantastic”, “I ‘d like to see it”  so they land on Sultanahmet Square. Technobird and the students take a lot of photos here. Then they go on sightseeing tour.

The Sultanahmet District is the heart of historic old Istanbul. This is where you’ll find Topkapı Palace, Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia Museum), The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Cami), The Byzantine Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Istanbul Archeological Museums, Great Palace Mosaic Museum and so on. They visit all one by one. Technobird is fascinated by these historical places. At the end of the tour they are so tired and hungry. One of the students says Sultanahmet is famous for its meatball, turşu, piyaz and ayran. They go to the famous restaurant at this district. They eat their meal. Also they eat traditional desserts called “künefe” and “sütlaç” then they drink Turkish coffee. Technobird loves the meals so much. After delicious meal, it buys some Turkish delight and some souvenirs.

Now it’s time to say “Goodbye” They take photos. Technobird says “I’m so happy to be here with you and I love you, thank you so much indeed” The students say “we are so happy, too and we love you” Technobird leaves so happily and visits another amazing places in İstanbul…

1.5. Bahar ETEŞ-Vali Rıdvan Yenişen Primary School

The  Maiden’s Tower

One  day  while  Vali Rıdvan Yenişen Primary School  4th  grade  students  and  their  English teacher Bahar ETEŞ  were  reading  their  books  in  the  garden ,  a  strange bird came  near   them  by telling  something. They  were  shocked:

-Are  you  a  bird?

+ Yes, I’m.

-But, How  can  you speak?

+  Forget about  all  the  birds  you know. I ‘m  “Techno  bird”  and  I’m  the  most    clever, curious  and  cool  bird  in  the  word. I walk  all  around  your  country  to  see  interesting  and  historical  places. Now  I’m  in your    city .  Which  place  should  I visit  in your  city?  Can  you  help   me?

-Of  course,  Techno Bird.  It  is  our  pleasure. We  would  like  to  visit “ The  Maiden’s  Tower”  with you.  Let’s  go. J

The  Maiden’s   Tower  ( Kizkulesi ) is located off the coast of Salacak  neighborhood  in Üsküdar district, at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus. It   dates  back to the 5th century BC.

It’s  name  comes  from a legend   According  to  the  legend  there  was  a  princess  who  was  locked  up  in  the  tower  by  her  father. She  was  locked  because  a  prophecy  said  her  father that  the  princess  would   die by  a  snake  bite  at the  age  of 18. Although  her  father  put  her  in  the  tower  he  couldn’t  manage  to  save his  daughter.  A  snake  hidden  in  a fruit  basket caused  her  die.

There  is  another  legend about the  tower. So,  sometimes it  is  called  as “Leander’s Tower”.  This  legend  is  a  sad  love  story. Hero was one of the priestess of Aphrodite living in the tower. One day she went to  a ceremony in the temple.  She met Leandros there  and they fall in love with each other. Leandros swam to the tower every night to visit his love, meanwhile she was holding a torch to guide him in the dark waters towards her in the tower. But on a stormy night Leandros couldn’t see the light because it was put out by the winds, and he swam all night loosing his way until he was drowned. Hero, seeing that her lover died, she also jumped into the water and suicided. Actually,  this  story took  place  in  the  city  of  Abydos  in  the  straight  of  Dardanelles  not  on  the  Bosphorus.

Last   legend  belongs  to a  Turkish  hero Battal  Gazi.  Accorting  to  this  legend ,  when  Battal Gazi  came  to  surround Istanbul(Constantinopoli) he  fell in  love  with a  daughter of the landlord.  He  couldn’t  manage  to surround  the city and  he stayed the  tower  for seven years because  of  his  love. Because  the  landlord was afraid  of Battal Gazi abducting  his  daughter , he  put  his  daughter in  prison ,  in  tower.At the end of the story, Battal Gazi on his horse escaped the girl from the tower and also took the landlord’s treasure.
After that case there was said an idiom ”early bird catches the worm”

(Atı alan Üsküdarı geçti in Turkish).

So far ,  the  tower has been  used  as  a  customs  house, quarantine, lighthouse, castle,   tower , store , defense  and  home  for  retired  naval  officers.

Today, The Maiden’s  Tower (Kizkulesi) is a very famous  for  its   restaurant  , cafeteria-bar and  even its  summer  weddings. You  can  watch  amazing Bosphorus and the old city, from  the  tower.

1.8. Sakine ÖZÇİFÇİ- Namık Kemal Primary School

Today, as we are playing at the school yard, I hear a voice, look at the sky and see the most magnificent and interesting bird in the world. It comes close to us and settles on a branch. All of a sudden, it starts to talk to us. We are surprised and even afraid but also curious. I go near it and and ask :

“ What are you? or Who are you?” It laughs at me and starts to tell:

“ Hello guys! My name is Techno Bird and I’m a bird as you see. I fly over the cities, meet the children and listen their stories and learn everything about their cities especially their historical places. I love learning a lot. And I’m a fan of history, so it’s your turn. I come to Silivri and pick you to tell me these. Do you want to feed me with information?” We think a bit and smilingly tell it: “ Of course, we’ll. We are glad to meet you and it’s the best time for history telling because we have a school trip to Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) in the afternoon. You can come with us and hear the story with us. “That’s great.” it says. “But you have to meet our English teacher, Mrs. Özçifçi, first.” I say. We go to the English classroom and wait for her. She comes to class and see Techno. “What is a bird doing in my classroom?” she asks. Techno answers: “ I’m a guest of your students and if you let me I will come to school trip with you.” Mrs. Özçifçi looks with a shock in her face. “ How can you talk?” she asks. “I’m special, ask me no more.” says Techno. She calms down and says

“ It will be an interesting day, Ok! You can come with us.” We clap our hands and spend the rest of the lesson in an excitement.

In the afternoon, we are waiting at the garden. Mrs. Özçifçi comes and says: “Namık Kemal Primary School! Are you ready for the trip?”

We all shout saying Yes! Then we take the road.

We come to Basilica Cistern. It is dark and interesting place. We meet our guide and start the tour. He tells us the history of the place:

“One of the magnificent ancient buildings of İstanbul is the Basilica Cistern located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya). Constructed for Justinianus I, the Byzantine Emperor (527-565), this big underground water reservoir is called as Yerebatan Cistern among the public because of the underground marble columns. As there used to be basilica in the place of the cistern, it is also called Basilica Cistern.

The cistercistern is 140m long and 70m wide and covers a rectangular area as a giant structure. Accessible with 52-step staircase, the Cistern shelters 33y columns, each of which is 9m high. Erected at 4.80m intervals from one another the columns are composed of 12 rows, each has 28 columns.

Except couple of the edged and grooved columns of the cistern, the majority of them are shaped as a cylinder. Two Medusa heads are at the northwest edge of the cistern, are the great work of art from the Roman period. These attract the most attention from the visitors. As the legend has it is, Medusa is one of three Gorgonas that are female monsters in the underground world in Greek mythology. The snake-head Medusa, has the power of gorgonising the ones that happen to look at her.

That monster story makes us thrilled and excited. We want to hear more about that story and Techno agrees us, of course. So the guide gives us more information about Medusa.

According to a rumour; Medusa is a beautiful girl with black eyes, long hair and attractive

body. She is boasted with these and she is in love with Perseus. Athena, a powerful Greek Goddess, is in love with Perseus, too. So she is jealous of Medusa and turns her hair into snakes. Now that she turns everybody looks at her into stone. Then Perseus heads of her anduse it to defeat his enemies. Medusa sculptures and gravings are used for protection in great buildings in ancient times. So these columns were built in the cistern.

These are very interesting things for us, we listen them like they are bed-time stories. After the tour finishes we gather around Techno. We are curious about its ideas about the Cistern. “What do you think about it?”

“Do you like the trip?”

“Have you ever heard such a story?” “Say something, please!”

Everybody is talking and asking questions like these to Techno Bird. He listens us quietly and looks at us a while. Then it says:

“Turkey is a very beautiful country with its history and natural beauties. I see most of them and am amazed of them. You are very lucky. This country is your legacy and you should learn and protect it very carefully. This beauty is yours and your sons and daughters and grandson and granddaughters. You should be very happy to have all of these beauties.” Then it flies to the sky. We think what it says a bit. It is right and it gives us a very important lesson, we will never forget.

3. TECHNOBIRD IS IN İZMİR

3.1. Belgin DAŞDEMIR- Kaklıç Primary School

3.2. Zarife TORTOP ÇELTİK– Melih Özakat Primary School

3.3. Duygu KARAKUŞ- Cengiz Han Primary School

3.4. Bahriye AKKUŞ- Seferi Hisar İMKB AİHL

3.5. İnci ÖNDERLİ- Misak-ı Milli Secondary School

3.6. Ülkü Ünver ÇELEBİ– Anafartalar Primary School

It is a wonderful İzmir morning. It is sunny and hot. As coordinator teachers of Better Together eTwinning Project, Belgin DAŞDEMİR from Kaklıç Primary School, Zahide Zarife TORTOP ÇELTİK from Melih Özakat Primary School, Duygu KARAKUŞ from Cengiz Han Primary School, Bahriye AKKUŞ from Seferihisar İMKB AİHL, İnci ÖNDERLİ from Misak-ı Milli Secondary School and Ülkü Ünver ÇELEBİ from Anafartalar Primary School organize a big trip to Sasalı Wildlife Park with their students in the project. Because the park is one of the most popular attraction centers of İzmir, they want to show this area to their students. While they are playing sack racing, they hear a voice among the bushes. The sound is very electronic, strange and disturbing. They go to the bushes with all the children quietly. When they remove the bushes, they see a bird that looks like a robot with mechanic arms. They are very surprised. The bird is singing happily but his voice is really bad. The bird says he visits the students

who make Better Together Project and learns the beauties of their cities because he loves travelling. They are too excited to help this interesting bird. All the partner schools of Better Together Project in İzmir share different areas of İzmir and start to help the bird one by one to discover the city. After chatting for a while, Kaklıç Primary School students Zeynep and Sukeyna offer to visit Sasalı Wildlife Park and İzmir Bird Paradise together because their school is near the park and they can give a lot of information about it. Technobird thanks and accepts the invitation. Zeynep and Sukeyna begin to inform.

“Sasalı Wildlife Park is Turkey’s first and largest wildlife park that sits on an area of 425 square metres in Sasalı, Çiğli. It lies between the Gediz River and Tuzla Street.   It is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. It contains 1500 animals in 128 species, 250 kinds of plants and 3000 trees. You can see African Savannas, a Tropical Center, and The Children’s Zoo, Asian elephants, tigers, lions, wild birds, bears, a wolf shelter, a monkey island, cafeterias, a beautiful pond and a gift shop in the park. After opening in 2008, at becomes so popular especially among kids in a short time   because they can spend hours there without getting bored.  They can touch, pet and feed the animals in the children’s zoo. They can see tropical plants and feel the atmosphere of rain forest in the tropical center. They can explore watch towers, track and playgrounds in the park. The park is open 365 days a year.”

After having a good time at Sasalı Wildlife Park, they leave for İzmir Bird Paradise. It is an archeological and natural protect area where 289 birds’ species live.

The students from Kaklıç Primary School go on telling about İzmir Bird Paradise:

“It locates around on 8000 hectare area in Çiğli Çamaltı Salt Marsh. It’s one of the most important wetland in Turkey. There are visitor center, bird observation towers, binoculars and touring bikes in the Bird Paradise.Each year more than 50 thousand birds visit the region. Flamingos, pelicans, herons, storks, swallows are some of species in it. As well as birds you can see many mammals, fish, reptiles, rabbits and foxes on the hills.”

After the long and nice trip, they feel hungry. Now it’s time to taste the famous food of İzmir. One of the most popular foods in İzmir is meatball with potato and tomato. Technobird wants to taste the meatball so that Zeynep invite all to her house because her mother cooks it very well. They accept the polite invitation and go to Kaklıç where Sukeyna and Zeynep live. Kaklıç is a small and nice place which is famous for its fresh bread, egg,milk and meat. They arrive at Zeynep’s house and eat İzmir meatball with fresh bread of Kaklıç. After the delicious meal, Technobird thanks to Sukeyna and Zeynep for this beautiful day. And then he flies away to meet the team of Melih Özakat Primary School, eTwinning coordinator Zahide Zarife Tortop Çeltik and her students will take him to Bergama to explore the beauties and food of Bergama the next day.

Photos from Sasalı Natural Life Park and İzmir Bird Paradise Trip

Today Alsancak Melih Özakat Primary School students and Technobird are very excited about this trip because after visiting Sasalı Wildlife Park they want to visit Pergamon with Technobird. It is a very curious bird. Pergamon is one of the most important culture and tourism centers of İzmir. There are a lot of historical places. Students tell Technobird all about Pergamon during the visit:

“The history of Bergama, one of the most glorious settlements of the Hellenistic Period, goes up to the seventh century BC. The city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon, which lived for about 150 years between 281-133 BC. The ancient Pergamon city was built on terraces built at Fortified Hill; temples, streets, social and commercial plazas and the Hellenistic Period have been among the most spectacular city centers. The Temple of Zeus, Dionysus Temple, Athena Temple, Demeter Temple, Pergamon Library, theater, gymnasium, royal palaces, Traian Temple, waterways, fountains, cisterns and arsenals are world famous monuments built at Fortified Hill.”

They go to the Sanctuary of Athena altogether. There are Pergamon Library and Athena Temple in the Sanctuary of Athena. They see some statues with Technobird. The Pergamon Library collection consisted of 200.000 books including bundles of papyrus and parchment. Then they see The Temple of Zeus and Dionysus Temple. It hosts big festivals. The Citadel Theatre, seats 10.000, was the first theatre of Pergamon and the steepest theaters of the World. Technobird flies to The Temple of Trajan and sing with them. Agora is the central spot for public gathering and of financial-political life of the cities during the antiquity. Technobird admires the places they visit altogether.

The students go on informing Technobird about Pergamon:

“Gymnasium, in ancient times, functioned as a wrestling, discussing throw and long jumping training facilities for competitors. The Red Basilica, the Roman Theatre and

the Amphitheatre are very interesting. 50.000 seated Amphitheatre represents one of the unique architectural forms in Anatolia. The Bridges of The Salinas River are still being in use. Asclepius is an ancient medical complex built in 4th century. It is also known as the first psychiatric hospital. There are a lot of statues in Bergama Museum. It is also among World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.”

    Now they are very hungry so they want to eat something. Bergama meatballs, chickpea pie, Bergama Tulu cheese,carnelian leblebi (chickpea), and the eggplant meal are very famous in Bergama. Bergama meatballs are very delicious. After the meat has been rested for a certain period, it is fried on wood fire with specially prepared condiments and it is eaten with piyaz and yogurt. The eggplant meal, which is a kind of olive oil roast made from whole eggplant, peppers and tomatoes in wood fire, is also famous in Pergamon. Chickpea pie is made by placing boiled chickpeas inside the dough… They want Technobird to taste all of them.    After their trip ends, they wave to Technobird  altogether. This time, Technobird flies to meet Cengiz Han Primary School Project team both eTwinning coordinator Duygu Karakuş and her students in the project to visit Ephesus Antique City and Virgin Mary the next day. Photos from Pergamon Antique City 

Bergama meatballs, chickpea pie, Bergama Tulum cheese,carnelian leblebi (chickpea), and the eggplant meal

Cengiz Han Primary School decide to take Technobird to Efes (Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present – day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the I onian League during the Classical Greekera.), the temple of Artemis andthehouse of the Virgin Mary (It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place.). All these places are in a beautiful district of İzmir called Selçuk. While they are walking around these places, Technobird feels very happy. It is impressed by the beauty of these places. When it hears that the Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Technobird feels himselfs lucky to see  it.

They spend hours to see these beautiful places so they feel so hungry. Technobird asked them: “What can we eat in İzmir, is there something special and traditional here?” They all say “YES. Let’s eat some traditional food. Ourmenu isrich.” Technobird tastes Kirde Kebabı, Kuşkonmaz Kavurması, EnginarDolması and Lokma. He loves all of them. Then he says “I heard Gevrek. What kind of food is it?” They say: “It is a kind of bagel; we call it GEVREK in İzmir. It is more delicious when it is eaten with Tulum Peyniri(a kind of cheese special to İzmir). People in İzmir love Gevrek very much and they prefer it in their breakfast.  Technobird loves Gevrek, too. And it takes more Gevrek with it to take them to its family. It is time for Technobird to go. It takes the photos we taken with it to show its family and friends. Then it flies to the new route. They will miss him and hang the photos in their classroom. This trip with Technobird will be a great memory for them. Now Technobird says “Goodbye” and flies to meet   Seferihisar İMKB AİHL project team with eTwinning coordinator Bahriye Akkuş and her students in the project.

The students whose names are Eda, Naz, Azra and Betül are responsible for to take Technobird to various touristic and famous places in Seferihisar. First they take Technobird to Sığacık. It is by the seaside and it has harbor and also huge mandarin fields. They go to the mandarin festival and visit the Sığacık castle. Eda gives extra information to Technobird  about

Sığacık:

“Sığacık Village is the most peaceful place of the Seferihisar town. It is also known as the small port of Seferihisar. You can find plenty of local products to buy in the village. Tomato paste, artichoke, Turkish delight with mandarin and jams are the unusual flavor. The harbor lined multicolored fishing boats is a unique haven for wearies of city. There are Hellenistic and Roman period monuments in the ancient city of Teos that was one of the 12 Ionian settlements in Archaic Age and that had colonies like the other Ionian settlements. The most essential monuments are Dionysus Altar, Agora, Theatre, Odeon, city walls and harbor ruins. The other ancient city found within the town, Lebedos, is located further south. In 1522, Ottomans built a castle to be used as naval facility in a small fishing village of Sigacik. It is possible to see the ruins of the castle today. Sığacık Akkum, Akarca and Ürkmez beaches are some of the Blue Flag awarded beaches in slow city of Seferihisar”

Technobird is too tired because he flies and flies for four days to explore İzmir with the eTwinning Coordinators and the students of “BETTER TOGETHER” project. So they decide to make Technobird have a rest in Seferihisar. Then, they go to Hotel to stay. It is the biggest hotel in Seferihisar. They spend a night there. After then they go to the Seferihisar’s organic bazaar which is very famous because everything in this bazaar is homemade. They eat bread filled with meat in that bazaar. Naz go on telling about Seferihisar:

“Seferihisar is the first cittaslow town of Izmir in Turkey, also surrounded by the historical treasures and green nature. Seferihisar makes you feel the Aegean spirit closer. Seferihisar is the first slow city of Turkey, is within the borders of Izmir in the Aegean Region of Turkey. The oldest settlement in Seferihisar district is Teos, the city of Carians, and known to be founded in 2000 BC by the Cretans, who were fleeing from the Achaeans. Its famous mandarin, large resources of solar, geothermal and wind power, and historical treasures are among the strong sides of the slow city Seferihisar. Olives, grapes and citruses are grown in the district. The reason why Seferihisar was not affected by the unplanned urbanization in Aegean and Mediterranean coasts in recent years is that it is surrounded by the archaeological sites and military areas.

They are all hungry so they eat stuffed bread, stuffed artichoke, sweet tarhana, mantı with chickpeas and tangerine dessert. After they eat these delicious foods now they are full. Azra and Betül give some important information about Seferihisar:

“Seferihisar is the first slow city of Turkey. It has become the member of Cittaslow on November 28, 2009, which is the international association of the cities where life is easy. Cittaslow philosophy, which proves that development is possible even by respecting the nature, protecting the local values, tradesmen and cuisine, has become a road map for Seferihisar. Cittaslow Seferihisar is a model for calmer and healthier lifestyle. It meets more than 60 of the criteria set forth for Slow Cities; preserving local tastes, supporting the Slow Food philosophy, using clean energy, maintaining places of historical and cultural value, local products, and many more.”

Then they finish their tour in Seferihisar. They all shout at Technobird while he is ready to fly: “Bye bye Technobird! Come and visit us again. Enjoy your trip with Misak-ı Milli Secondary School team…” They all wave to him and while he is flying, they look behind him for a while. They have nice memories with him.

After Technobird see and learn about Seferihisar and Sığacık he flies away to meet Misak-ı Milli Secondary School Project Team eTwinning coordinator İnci Önderli and her students in the project. They as Misak-ı Milli Secondary School team decide to take Technobird to Çeşme, Karaburun and Mordoğan where beautiful and popular beach towns of İzmir. They start to visit Çeşme and its several towns first. Their students who are in Better Together Project in 7/C and 7/G classes give information to him voluntarily. First of Dila and Melek from 7/G start to tell about Çeşme:

“Çeşme is a Turkish resort town in the west of Izmir, on the Aegean Sea and one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in İzmir. It has an international harbor linked to Izmir with a wonderful highway. You can go to Greek island Chios (Sakız) with regular daily ferries.

The main square has restaurants, cafes, tea houses, and nice sunset views of the Aegean Sea. Small fortress of Çeşme, now nicely has been restored as the local museum. Çeşme has a fantastic history and architectural character. It was captured from the Byzantines by a Seljuk Turkish force under Çakabey in the 11th century. Çeşme’s Tourism Information Office is between the south tower of the fortress and the sea. If you’d like to stay in Çeşme, the town has lots of hotels and you can find excellent holiday accommodations, restaurants and sports and entertainment facilities.”

Then Cem Baran and Kayra Çınar from 7/C go on giving information on Ilıca:

“Ilıca is one of the marvelous towns of Çeşme. It is famous for its deep blue sea, golden sands and gentle breeze. Ilıca Beach, with warm thermal sulfur springs. There are good beaches in the south of Çeşme, and at nearby Ilıca, and it is easily reachable by minibus .The bay here is ideal for water sports, especially windsurfing and sailing. The thermal baths around Ilica are very popular; the best being located on ŞifneBay. During summer on Ilica Bay, the colorful International Çakabey Optimist Yacht race is organized.”

Ayşe and İrem from 7/G want to say a few sentences about Dalyan:

“Dalyan, a fishing village in the north of Çeşme, has some of the region‘s best fish restaurants along marina. During the summer days you can sunbath and rest at its small beach and in the evening enjoy restaurants serving fresh fish.”

Beril and Sarp from 7/C also mention famous town Alaçatı:

“Alaçatı is a delightful and typical Aegean town of Çeşme. It lies to the south inland from Ilica and the coast, with several good beaches. You can go to many lovely bays by cruise. The sea at Alaçati has ideal conditions for windsurfing because of its high winds. The wind in this area blows almost 330 days a year so it makes Alaçatı a paradise for windsurfers and kite-surfers. There are international windsurfing competitions and they are organized here every year. There are several windsurfing and kite-surfing schools on the dock. Alaçatı became a popular town in the peninsula in the last 10-15 years. Many of its old stone houses in the town center are used as boutique hotels, restaurants, or shops. Alaçatı has a typical market with fresh food and vegetables. You shouldn’t miss the Herb Festival organized once a year. There is a modern marina in Alaçatı with several good restaurants and cafes.”

Technobird likes their trip in Çeşme very much. He admires those fantastic places. He is also so happy to see their attractive places and spectacular views. He learns a lot about these beautiful touristic beach towns, too. After they finish visiting Çeşme and its environment, they drive along the panoramic Karaburun peninsula coast road; they pass several peaceful bays and attractive fishing villages, Mordoğan and Karaburun. Two of the students, Sudenaz and Eren from 7/C go on telling him along the way about Mordoğan:

“Mordoğan is 80 km far from İzmir. It is a beach town as beautiful as Karaburun. It is famous for especially Ayıbalığı rocks and Ardıç Beach. It is also famous for amateur fishing and seventy kinds of purple flowers. It was founded in B.C 4^th century, called Mimas. It has also attractive beaches where you can enjoy swimming and spending time. It has high range of oxygen in the air so you should go and take lots of fresh air full of oxygen there.”

Toprak , from 7/C is excited to tell about Karaburun:

“Karaburun is 100 km far from İzmir. In Karaburun, there are pleasant hotels, tea gardens and fish restaurants. On the top of Manastır Mountain you can enjoy

an unforgettable view of the Karaburun coast; it is an alternative tourism paradise. There are a lot of shore towns, harbors all aspects of alternative tourism. The peninsula has a rich potential in alternative touristic activities such as diving, nature walks, village tours, ecotourism and agricultural tourism. Karaburun has clean sea, diving spots, areas for line fishing and boat rides, untapped and peaceful bays, beaches, amazing panoramas, cool breeze during the summer, almost no humidity, tasty sea dishes and local restaurants. You can access some of the bays only by boats. Eşendere, Saipaltı, İğdealtı, Büyükkent, Dolungaz, Yıldızkent, Akçakilise, Yeniliman and Kumbükü are beaches of Karaburun. The Kuyucak and Akvaryum beaches are also blue flagged

beaches. Karaburun has Mediterranean climate. It has a lot of myths, too. Mimas Mountain, mentioned in Homer’s’ Odyssey, is the mountain. we call it as Bozdağ today. Mimas, a giant that went to war with Zeus was killed and buried under the mountain for eternity. It is believed that the name of Lake Iris comes from this legend. Another myth concerns Narcissus.”

Technobird loves Karaburun and Mordoğan, too. It is time to leave now for him because other students in their project are waiting for him. Before he leaves, Misak-ı Milli Secondary School Project Team gives him Lokma to eat in order not to get hungry while flying. Because his trip in İzmir is still going on. He asks: “What kind of food is it? I like it very much.” Dila, the leader of the group says: “It is a traditional İzmir food made from flour, yeast, salt and warm water. After making dough with these ingredients, it is fried in very hot flower oil.” Technobird and they eat it with syrup. They are all happy that he likes it. Then they wave to him and say aaltogether: “Goodbye Technobird. We love you very much. Please come and visit us again.” He flies to meet Anafartalar Primary School Project Team both eTwinning Project Coordinator Ülkü Ünver Çelebi and her students in the project. They are looking forward to meeting Technobird.

Anafartalar Primary School students are waiting their visitor Technobird. Sarp, Umut, Ege, İrem and Eray are really excited because of his visit. The mechanic bird flies down from the sky and says “Hello, are you waiting for me?” All the students say “Yeeessss… Hello, Technobird we are waiting for you. What about your other trips in İzmir? Today we are going to visit Konak I hope you will enjoy your visit. This is your last day in İzmir and we will show you the heart of İzmir.” Technobird answers: “My trips with five schools are fantastic. I love all the places we visit and food we eat. We become friends with all the other students in the project. I am sure I will also love you.”

“Let’s start with HISTORICAL ELEVATOR “Asansör”” says Sarp and opens a brochure and then he starts to read the explanation about elevator:

The building is in İzmir’s Karataş quarter, within the boundaries of the metropolitan district of Konak. It was built in 1907 as a work of public service by a wealthy Jewish banker Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu, in order to ease the 155 step stair passage from the Mithatpaşa Street to Halilrıfatpaşa Street. First the elevator was working with water but then in 1985, it was activated to run on electricity by the municipality. The building was restored in 1992. The bottom entrance of the elevator is from Dario Moreno Street. The street has Sakız type houses and there was a statue of the Jewish descent Turkish guitarist, pianist and actor Dario Moreno. Today, there is a restaurant-cafe by the Metropolitan Municipality of İzmir. (pic1)

“HEY! Are you hungry? There is a beautiful cafe here. Maybe you want to eat our delicious sandwich “KUMRU” That is a traditional Turkish sandwich made with sausage and cheese.” says Ege and Eray. They all get on the elevator and listens to old Turkish music. They eat their delicious sandwiches, kumru. (pic2) “

Our second place is Saat Kulesi “CLOCK TOWER” says Umut. They watch the beautiful scenery and İrem reads the article about clock tower:

“Saat Kulesi” CLOCK TOWER located at Konak Square and has become the symbol of the city. Famous clock tower is on the right at the entrance to Izmir’s Kemeraltı Bazaar in Konak. The clock tower was designed by the Levantine French architect Raymond Charles Père, was born and spent his entire life in Izmir. He built the tower in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Abdülhamid II’s. The tower has carving of a crescent moon and star on its four sides and rests on a circular, base and the platform where the tower is based is lowered from the rest of the area. It has palm trees on north and south directions of the structure. The tower is provided with 12 water taps, 3 in each direction. The tower uses a technology called desalination by which it collects sea water from Aegean Sea and gives out pure drinkable water through the outlet pipes. (pic3)

“I have a surprise for you” says Ülkü teacher. “I have 3D clock tower puzzle for you if you want you can make your clock tower…” “YESSS” they shout…They make a cooperation and build their own tower. https://youtu.be/ngTo9rX3mYY(pic4)

“MİDYEEE, MİDYEEE, MİDYEEE…” The man with moustache shouts. Technobird asks “What is that?” “It is a kind of sea food” Ege answers. MİDYE “stuffed mussels” It is delicious. Do you want to eat?” Technobird answers “Yes, birds like sea food.” (Pic5)

Eray goes on reading the brochure for everybody to give information: “Our next stop is KEMERALTI, (Pic 6)

A famous bazaar stretching from Konak Square through to the ancient Agora, Kemeraltı dates back to the 17th century and is home to shops, eateries, artisans’ workshops, mosques, coffeehouses, tea gardens and synagogues. It has crowded and colorful streets, historic places of

worship, hidden courtyards and grand caravansaries reveal the real İzmir. Highlights include the cafes between the Hisar Mosque and the Kızlarağası Han, which serve the city’s famous Turkish coffee boiled in the cup. (pic6)

Technobird is very tired and hungry because it enters all the shops to buy some presents to his friends. They enter a restaurant and eat İZMİR KÖFTE “İzmir meatball” delicious traditional food. Technobird finishes its meal. (pic7)

“We are so happy to be with you. Please come here again.”say all the students.  At the end of the day, they go to CLOCK TOWER (pic8) again, where all the project partners from İzmir (coordinator teachers of Better Together eTwinning Project, Belgin DAŞDEMİR from Kaklıç Primary School, Zahide Zarife TORTOP ÇELTİK from

Melih Özakat Primary School, Duygu KARAKUŞ from Cengiz Han Primary School, Bahriye AKKUŞ from Seferihisar İMKB AİHL, İnci ÖNDERLİ from Misak-ı Milli Secondary School and Ülkü Ünver ÇELEBİ from Anafartalar Primary School and their students in the project) waiting for them to say “Goodbye”

3D clock tower puzzle /  https://youtu.be/ngTo9rX3mYY

They, all schools with eTwinning coordinators and their students decide to see off Technobird in Konak Square so they meet there on the last days of their trip. Technobird’s İzmir trip is over now and he  says it is very entertaining and educative trip for him and them. After he thanks them for these unforgettable memories in İzmir altogether, he flies to other adventures with the other project partners. İzmir Team waves altogether to him and shout altogether to the beautiful bird: “Goodbye Technobird. Come and see us again whenever you want. We always welcome you in İzmir. We will miss you.” They, all are happy to know Technobird thanks to our eTwinning project “Better Together”, but we are so sad to leave him. He looks to all of us for the last time and flies away to continue his visits for exploring Turkey’s cultural heritage in other beautiful cities with the other Better Together Project Partners. We will never forget him and follow his adventures during his trip all around Turkey.

4.2. Saniye ÇETİNTAŞ- Kalaycıoğlu Secondary School

Technobird is akind of bird that really loves seeing new places and learning about their cultures. While it is flying over Denizli, it sees a high white mountain and there are some black points on it. It gets lower and recgnizes that it is a ski center and the black points are people who are skiing. It lands on the mountain and sees some students there. The students also come to the Technobird. The students are from Sait Kalaycıoğlu Secondary School and their teacher is Saniye Çetintaş. They meet each other and the students love Technobird very much. They tell about the ski center and Technobird learns that its name is ‘Bozdağ’ and it is the largest ski center in the Aegean Region. The students and Technobird skies for a while and they get very hungry.

The students take Technobird to the ‘Bağpazarı’ which is a natural recreation park in the center of Tavas. They sit at a table and they eat some of the famous dishes of Tavas such as ‘Tavas pidesi’,

‘Tavas Baklavası’(that is a patented dessert), and ‘Tavas Kebap’. Technobird loves all kind of food that it tastes in Tavas. While thay are eating, they hear a folk music. Technobird asks what the music is and the students say that it is the music of Tavas’ folk dance ‘Zeybek’. The students also say that every year there is a Zeybek Festival and the people from different cities around the Aegean Region who dance with folk music come to Tavas and the groups performs their dance shows.

Technobird says that it really likes watching folk dances and wants to watch them. The students take Technobird to the amphitheater and they watch the shows and ‘Tavas Zeybeği’. Technobird is fascinated from the performances of the Zeybek and wants to learn how to dance. The students make a surprise to Technobird and they give a Zeybek costume as a present. Technobird thanks to the students.

There are a lot of exhibition of handicrafts of Tavas in the festival area. Technobird looks tha stands and sees the famous handicrafts called ‘Tel Kırma and Gergef’ Works. The students also show a ‘Terrakota’  to Technobird and tell that it is a famous handmade work of Tavas.  It likes them and wants to buy a Tel Kırma tablecloth for its mother but the students have already prepared a peresent for Technobird’s family. There is a stand on which Kızılcabölük weaving clothes are being presented. The students tell that these weaving clothes were used in the movie ‘Troy’ and the starrings of the film Bratt Pitt(Ahhilleus) and Diane Kruger(Helen) wore those clothes. Tecnnobird is surprised when it hears this information because it watched that film years ago.

At the end, Technobird says that ‘I must g oto another place and thank you all for your nice hosting. I had a great time with you and liked Tavas very much as the other places in Denizli. I will come here again. ‘ Technobird and the students hug each other and the students waves their hands while Technobird is flying over them.

4.4. Mihriban KOR- Vakıfbank Primary School

I wake up early by listening to the amazing songs of the birds that land on Servergazi Park. I meet Technobird, when it sings the song together with its friends.However, it looks tired because it visits Pamukkale, Karahayıt and Laodicea and likes these places vey much.It says “Now it is time to sing and have a rest!”Technobird which likes travelling around different cities and countries in the world is a very smart and technological bird. During Turkey’s tour, it visits Denizli, the Tomb of Gazi Server and Servergazi Park because it likes forests and fresh air.Technobird learns that the Tomb of Gazi Server belongs to the Seljuq commander Gazi Server who martyrised in 1210 during Denizli’s conquest. Therefore, it is very significant for Denizli’s history.In addition to its historical value and fresh air, Technobird sees that there is a big picnic area, a restaurant, two playgrounds for children, hiking trail, running path and buffets in Servergazi Park. After that, I introduce Technobird to my students who are keen on using technology and web2 tools in their lessons.They surprised Technobird by planning to visit İncilipınar Park, Bağbaşı Forest and Bağbaşı Plateau. My students are very happy and excited to show these areas to Technobird. The giant plane trees, pools, playgrounds, picnic areas and hiking trails in İncilipınar Park are very good to spend enjoyable time for Technobird.The big monuments on which Turkish leaders’ biographies are written attract Technobird’s attetion. Technobird is surprised when it learns that Denizli scored a first in Turkey in 2018 by winning “The Green Flag” award with İncilipınar Park for its effective recreational green space. jhj Now, it is time to get on a cable car and visit Bağbaşı Forest and Bağbaşı Olive Plateau. Technobird feels at home in Bağbaşı Forest because it runs across and talks to so many friends like foxes, jackals, patridges, wild pigeons, woodpekers and deeers and also sees different kinds of plants and trees like sandalwood, wildpear, daphne. The Bağbaşı Plateau is famous for its snow scenes in winter and a fine fresh cool weather in summer.Technobird likes cool fresh air. Moreover, Technobird sees a restaurant, a cafe, picnic spaces, hair tents, local product sales centers and wooden bungalows and rooms, tent camping areas for those want to stay here. It likes here very much.

6. TECHNOBIRD IS IN BALIKESİR

6. 1. Ayşe ERSARI- Mustafa Keskın Secondary School

While Technobird think about another destination,his friend recommend him to go Balıkesir.He said that Balıkesir has shores that clean sea water reach’s the sanded beaches, and those shores surrounded by green olive trees. Ayvalık, Burhaniye, Ören, Edremit, Akçay and Altınoluk are attractive holiday place for whom want to rest in enjoyable environment or whom interested by archeological places.So Technobird decided to go.In fact there are too many ways to go there such as ;Roadway,Railway: Railway ,Seaway,Airway, he wanted to fly J

On the first day,he went to Kuvayı Milliye Museum: is at the old town hole. Balıkesir is a frontier province for development of Kuvayı Milliye, written decisions of 41 vanguard representatives, 5 main decision of congress, private items of these heroes, their photographs, and some photographs of Atatürk which taken when he arrive Balıkesir province.Moreover there are Erdemit city museum and Erdek open air museum present at the Balıkesir province.He also visited Zağnos Paşa Mosque, Yıldırım Mosque , Karesi Bey Tomb: it is at behind side of Pasha Mosque. Inside the tomb there are graves of Karesi Bey .He was so tired but really happy to see that places.

On the second day,he went to  Kazdagi (Ida) National Park.It was such a full of oxygen that he wanted to stay in tents or caravans.But he had to go.Because there a lot of places he wanted to see.Next destination was Ayvalik Islands Natural Park.The Ayvalık Islands Natural Park is within the borders of Balıkesir Province in Marmara Region.In the Natural Park, camping areas and areas for daily usage will be arranged. In the Şeytan Sofrası Locality, an orientation centre will be activated, and in Güneş Island a centre for water sports like scuba – diving, and under sea fishing will be established.

Technobird heard that Höşmerim cookies and Susurluk ayran (a drink with yogurt) are famous at province.So he decided to try and enjoyed them so much.Before leaving Balıkesir,he bought Höşmerim cookie, cologne and  Yağcı Bedir rugs in order to show his parents.It was full of fun to be in Balıkesir.He thought that  Watching sinking sun at Şeytan Sofrası,swimming at beach of counties,using Thermal springs, eating Höşmerim cookies, drinking Susurluk ayran and buying cologne and buying Yağcı Bedir rugs at Sındırgı were so sweet to remember.While he leaving there,he was thinking about them.

8. TECHNOBIRD IS IN TEKİRDAĞ

8.1. Sevil COŞKUN YELKEN- Kazandereli Memiş Pehlivan Secondary School

8.2. Derya Güzelci GÜNDEMİR- Malkara Anatolian Religious Vocational High School

8.1. Sevil COŞKUN YELKEN- Kazandereli Memiş Pehlivan Secondary School

Oh my God! What a nice picture how wonderful it is. Which city is this? Tekirdağ ? dağ means mountain but where are high mountains? There is sea, it’s great. Plains, sunflower farms, houses…City centre is called Süleymanpaşa. It has an important role in İndependence War and Mustafa Kenal Atatürk visits the city. Namık Kemal, a famous poet, was born in Tekirdağ, there is a house as a museum. Yahya Kemal Beyatlı loves and writes about the city. So it has a name(Üç Kemaller Diyarı). I can’t believe in my eyes , Is a man paragliding there? Hm… well, what to eat? Meatball, höşmerim(a halva made with cheese), Hayrabolu dessert…I really liked this city.

8.2. Derya Güzelci GÜNDEMİR- Malkara Anatolian Religious Vocational High School

One day, Technobird came to the garden of Malkara Anatolian Religious Vocational High School. Technobird was so colorful and beautiful that students were very happy to see it. It was also talkative. It had a lot of things to tell. Technobird said “hello guys!” to the students and started to tell its memories.  After telling lots of things, it got hunry and thirsty. Students decided to prepare traditional meals of Malkara for Technobird and set the table. There were lots of food such as tarhana soup, Tekirdağ meatball, manca, chicken patty, cheese halva, milk patty. Although all the meals were delicious, Techobird just tasted them. Because it was too small. After lunch, students decided to take Technobird to the famous fountains of Malkara. Firstly, students and Technobird went to historical Hüsrev Kethüda Fountain. Technobird drank water from the fountain and said “It tasted really good.” Then, they orderly went to other historical fountains, Marble Fountain, Bath Fountain, Sky Fountain. They were built in Ottoman time and all of them were fascinating. Technobird was fond of the fountains. After that, students and Technobird visited one of the historical mosques of Malkara. They went to Hacerzade İbrahim Bey Mosque. Students gave information about the history of the mosque to Technobird. It was built in Ottoman time. At the end of the day, Technobird and students were happy to have a good time. Technobird promised that it would come back again and see them. It said goodbye and flew.

10. TECHNOBIRD IS IN UŞAK

10.1. Nurhayat KÖKDENER-Gazi Mustafa Kemal Primary School

Ela and her friends are very excited when they see technobird in the school garden. They run and hug the bird. It is very tired and hungry. They take it to Ela’s home and her mother serves traditional Uşak tarhana. Ela says

in Uşak you can both witness the history of the region while enjoying stunning views of natures beauty. Let’s go and visit Uşak museum of archaeology they say altogether. Technobird is impressed by the croesus treasure which is a collection of 363 valuable Lydian artifacts from the seventh century B.C.

Then they decide to visit the city’s famous canyon, which is known as the second longest canyon in the entire world after the U.S. Grand Canyon. Ela reads the information written there to technobird. “Once home to several ancient civilizations, including Lydia, Macedonia, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, Germiyanids and the Ottoman Empire, the Ulubey Canyon spans an impressive 40-45 kilometers in length and is still home to some ancient ruins.” After visiting the world-famous canyon, they stop by the Cılandıras Bridge. Ela says it is an ancient structure built during the Phrygian era. After visiting Ulubey canyon and Cılandiras

bridge they visit the Uşak Municipality Weaver House and view the weaving process of making traditional Uşak carpets. Ela says Uşak carpets symbolize elegance, durability and authenticity. Lastly, after experiencing all of these aspects of Uşak, they all go to

see the sport “javelin,” a traditional, ancient Turkish competition between horsemen. Technobird ride a horse on javelin farm, too.

After witnessing the history of the region, enjoying stunning views of natures beauty and tasting traditional meal of Uşak technobird thanks Ela and her friends and goes to a different city of Turkey to see new places.

12. TECHNOBIRD IS IN MANİSA

12.1. Seçil  Köklü  GÜLSEVEN- Yunusemre Atatürk Secondary School

12.2. Neslihan ABAKAY ARTAN- Tepeköy Secondary School

12.1. Seçil  Köklü  GÜLSEVEN- Yunusemre Atatürk Secondary School

Written by students of 6/D

https://youtu.be/Mi3V1PF3Y30

Hello, from Manisa. It is an attractive, modern city with a far-reaching past in the Aegean Region of Turkey. Its history goes back to 500 BC but the first known settlements date back to the 14th century BC. In Ottoman times, many of the sons of sultans receive their education in Manisa and the city is commonly known as “The City of Shahzades” It lies in the valley of the Gediz River (ancient Hermus River), below Mount Sipylus . Manisa celebrates the annual Vintage Festival every September, when bringing in the fruits of the vineyards is celebrated with excitement. The vineyards surround the city and provide dry fruit for export from Izmir port.

We are the students of 6/D at Yunusemre Atatürk Secondary School.While we are planning the school trip in the school garden with Seçil teacher,we see a very different bird. It lies under the tree and looks very tired.We know this bird from ‘’Better Together’’project.It is Technobird .It is a very clever and tecnological bird.Technobird travels around Turkey.When it passes through Manisa,It sees lots of people below and wonders.First, we start to talk about Manisa and its beauty,delicious food.Then,we explain the crowd why so many people come together because It is Traditional Mesir Paste Festival time in Manisa.We decide to take Technobird to the Sultan Mosque and join the festival together.

The Mesir Macunu festival of Manisa, Turkey, commemorates the recovery of Hafsa Sultan, mother of Suleiman the Magnificent, who is cured of a disease by the invention of a paste known as Mesir Macunu. The Sultan then order that the paste be disseminated to the public. So, every year the paste is prepared by a chef and apprentices from 41 fresh spices and herbs according to traditional practice. A team of 14 women wrap the paste in small pieces of paper, and 28 imams and apprentices bless it before scattering the paste from the top of the minaret

and the domes of the Sultan Mosque. Thousands of people come from different regions of Turkey to compete to catch the pieces as they fall. Many people believe that If you catch and eat ,it restores health, youth and you won’t get sick through the year. Historical Ottoman music band performs during the preparation of the paste and throughout the festival. Inhabitants of Manisa have a deep emotional attachment to the festival. The strength of tradition creates a strong sense of solidarity among local communities, and the city welcomes guests from almost all regions of Turkey and around the World.

Technobird catches and eats some Mesir pastes and becomes stronger and more energetic now. After the festival,it wonders Niobe (The Weeping Rock).We visit and tell the mythological story of Niobe.

The short mythical story of Niobe is one of the famous legends that feature in the mythology of ancient civilizations. Niobe is a very beautiful woman has seven daughters and seven sons.She is very nobly and proud of this.She is the queen of Thebes.Leto has only two children Artemis and Apollo.Leto is very jealous of Niobe.She sends her children to earth.Artemis and Apollo kill all of Niobe’s children.After this she cries and turns into a stone. Niobe is weeping even to this day. Technobird likes the story very much.Then,we go sightseeing across Spil Mountain and pick some wild Tulips known as Anemon..After that we are very hungry and Technobird wants to eat Manisa Kebab.We go to a restaurant which is in Atatürk City Park .It

is the biggest park in Manisa.Technobird really likes this delicious famous food.After a short break ,Technobird wonders Tarzan and it wants to see the statue of him in the center.His real name is Ahmet Bedevi .He loves nature and throughout his life he always plants trees and protects the environment. Later, we see the magnificent Muradiye Mosque from 16th century .It was built by the great architect Sinan, and the Murad Bey Medresse now houses the Archaeological Museum of Manisa.Finally,we decide to see Aigai Ancient City. It is in the Yuntdağı region of the western province of Manisa’s Yunusemre district, excavation works have commenced in order to unearth the Temple of Athena in the ancient city of Aigai.

Technobird also sees some souviners and buys some gifts in New Inn.

We are very happy and glad to be with Technobird in the center of Manisa.Now Technobird says goodbye with lots of good memories.

12.2. Neslihan ABAKAY ARTAN- Tepeköy Secondary School

MANİSA-ALAŞEHİR

After the trip in the centre of Manisa,  Technobird decides to visit the other districts of this beautiful city. He has heard about Neslihan teacher and her students in Tepeköy Secondary School before, so he turns its way to Alaşehir. When it lands on the school garden, all the project students come together around it. They welcome the technobird excitingly and start their tour.

First, they take technobird to vineyards. Alaşehir is a main center of production and export of dried Sultana raisins. The foundation of Tariş Raisins Union started with Bağcılar

Cooperative, which was established in Alaşehir first in 1931. Alaşehir sub-province has very good topography, soil, and climate for growing of agricultural products. Except, bananas, hazelnuts, and tea all agricultural products are grown in Alaşehir. But, this sub-province is very

famous for its sultana grapes and 1/3 of the exported production of sultana grapes are produced here. The economy of Alaşehir is completely based on agricultural sector, and vineyards cover almost half of the agricultural area. After getting this information, technobird tastes some raisins and finds them very delicious. The students and their teacher also put some raisins into their pockets and they go on their tour.

Technobird wonders about the mineral water and Sarıkız, and asks questions about the production place of this popular water and the story of Sarıkız. The students take it to Sarıkız square and start telling about it. The Sarıkız mineral water is a source known since the beginning of the 1800s and different legends were written on its name. According to one legend, Sarıkız is a tall Turkish girl with golden hair. She is proverbial with her beauty and charitableness and a member of one of the tribes. She distributes water to the soldiers in the battlefield. She dresses the wounds of wounded people and eases their pain. One day, an enemy shoots her with an arrow in her chest anda he fell martyr. The water is said to gush from the ground where Sarıkız fell. It is such a beautiful flowing water that it becomes a river with time. The river has become a healing water and relieved pain. The technobird is amazed with this myth and wants to try this miraculous mineral water which is a gift of nature. The students show the fountain from which natural mineral water is flowing all the time. They rush to the fountain with technobird and drink this healing water thirstily. Technobird really enjoys this.

After a tiring tour, they decide to eat something and technobird gets excited about trying new dishes. First, it tries kapama, a kind of food in which small meatballs are put into rolled dough and fried and served with meat broth. Technobird is really happy to explore a different flavour. Then Project members make it taste all the other dishes such as pitta bread, stuffed grape leaves, popular Alaşehir bread and pancakes. Technobird admired all types of these cultural dishes.

Technobird is so full that  it decides to fly over this amazing city for a short time and thanks to the students of Tepeköy Secondary School and Neslihan Teacher for their guidance.

While flying and watching the wonderful view from the sky, it sees an amazing location which looks like Cappadocia. He is fascinated by this beautiful landscape formed by geological activities. It flies near these formations and learns that the land formations that look like the fairy chimneys are so similar to the ones in Cappadocia and they even named Kula’s landscape “Kuladokya”.Then technobird wonders this amazing city, Kula, and enters the city centre. It sees the narrow roads and wonderful Kula homes and asks people about them. They are wooden houses built in 18th century under the Ottoman Empire. Kula houses usually have two floors and the upper floors projecting towards the street.

Technobird are so happy to do a number of exciting things in Manisa. From historical sites to cultural attractions, it discovers all local attractions. It is also sure that it will never forget this fascinating city, and “Better Together” Project members in Tepeköy Secondary School

14. TECHNOBIRD IS IN KÜTAHYA

14.1. Gülşah TANIK- Atatürk Primary School

TECHNOBIRD is in Hisarcık/KÜTAHYA. Sky is nice and blue. Teachnobird likes flying in a sunny weather. Technobird flies and flies. Oh,no! What’s that? The weather is stormy now. There is a strong wind. It is hard to fly for Technobird right now. Oh, gosh! The weather is foggy now. It can’t see anything. At that moment, it hits a plane because it doesn’t see anything. Then, it starts to fall down and now it is on the ground… In Kütahya, there is a place called Hisarcık. Atatürk Primary School is in this small town. There are 28 4th grade students in the Better Together Project Team. They are in their English Classroom now because they are playing Cram in the class. They love using the computer because they learned a lot about the web 2.0 tools this year and they think they are fun. While they are playing Cram, they hear a noise. They run to the garden and find a bird there. But that bird is different a little bit. İt is a bird but it looks like a robot. They are worried about Technobird because its eyes are closed. Is it dead? Nooooo… It opens its eyes and tries to speak. It says its name : “Hi, my name is Technobird. I’m a member of the Better Together Team. Who are you?”. The students say “Hi, Technobird. Nice to meet you. We’re the members of Better Together Team, too. Welcome to Hisarcık,Kütahya!”. One of the students says “Are you Ok?”. “No,I’m not” says the bird. The students ask “What’s the matter with you?”. “I think I hurt my wings because the sky is stormy and foggy.” Şeyma says “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Let’s take Technobird to Esire Turkish Baths. We can treat its wings there.” Hisarcık and Emet are famous for its therapeutic Turkish Baths. They take Technobird and go to Baths together. There are baths and pools. They enjoy the hot water and swim. Technobird feels well now. Then, the students take it to their homes. At Ayşenaz’s house, they eat “Ekşi Tarhana” together. When you are ill, “Ekşi Tarhana” helps you to get better soon. It is made of cornelian cherry. Technobird is very energetic now. Then, they go to Kübra’s house and they eat “Oğlak Kebabı (Goat Kebab)”. In Hisarcık, people cook the goat meat in Stone ovens for long hours. Then, they go to Nisanur’s house. She is from Tavşanlı. She serves “Leblebi”(Roasted Chickpeas) and “Dombey Kaymağı”(Water Buffalo Cream). Technobird says “Thank you all for all of the delisious meals. But I can’t eat anymore because I’m full.” After they eat their meals, they want to show different places. They take Technobird to Emet. Emet is famous for Boron Mines. Boron is a valuable mine. It is used for almost anything from detergent to medicine, from glass to construction. Technobird sees the facilities and likes them. Then, They take it to Eğrigöz Kalesi (Eğrigöz Castle)”. Eğrigöz Castle isn’t well-known but Technobird likes its story. An Irish writer claims that Vlad Dracula stayed in that castle. Mehmet the Conqueror sent him there as a prisoner but he escaped from there. After Emet, they go to Dumlupınar. Dumlupınar is a small town of Kütahya. It is small but important because there is a martyrdom. There lie the soldiers who fought for their country in Turkish War of Independence. The students and Technobird pray for them. The students say “It is Summer now. If you visit us again in Winter, we can go Mount Murat. In Winter, we can play snowball and ski there. Technobird feels happy and very good now. The hot water and the delicious meals make it better. Its wings are really strong. It says “Thank you for everything.I love you very much. But I must go now”. The students are sad. They say “Come and visit us again. Remember, we’re in the same team. We’re Better Together.” Technobird smiles and flies away….

16. TECHNOBIRD IS IN MERSİN

16.1. Emine HALICI- Kocavilayet Secondary School

16.2. Aylin LEVENTOĞLU- Nejdet Ülger Primary School

16.3. Zeynep Şakar ŞAHİNOĞULLARI- 50.Yıl Gökçeller Primary School

16.1. Emine HALICI- Kocavilayet Secondary School

Technobird is a very smart and lovely bird. While Technobird is flying from one city to another over Turkey, it decides to come to Mersin. When it looks below, it sees some of the students in etwinning team in Kocavilayet Secondary School. Students are surprised when the technobird lands on Mersin. Mersin is in the South of Turkey.There is in the Mediterrenean sea. There are lots of beautiful beaches, castles and structures from old civilizations. In summer the weather is very hot .You can swim the beautıful beaches.

We talk about Mersin and ıts beauty,delicious food.After conversation with Technobird, we start to visit the beauties of Mersin.First we start from Kız Kalesi ( Maiden Castle ) Let’s discover the Mersin

The Maiden Castle is in the Erdemli province, it is 800-1000 m. away from the remains of the Mediterranean Sea. It is an Island. Corcyus, which is established during the 4th century B.C. by the Hellens, and expand during the Roman and Byzantine Periods, is an important barbour during the 8th century. The castle prevents all attacks from the Sea. It contains remains of a church.

Students tell the story of Maiden Castle and technobird is very curious

Once upan a time there was a king in this region who loved his daughter very much. According to the myth, one fortune teller said the king that his daughter would be killed by a snakebite. The king built a castle within the sea to protect his daughter .Time passed and the girl grew up in the castle. But the snake came out in the fruit basket and killed by its bite. These events lead the castle in the sea to be called as Maiden Castle

At the end of our trip Tecnobird is very hungry. Famous meals are Tantuni, Fish ,Şalgam. Cezerya is the famous dessert . Technobird eats the delicious meals.

Technobird buys some gifts and takes lots of photographs there. Technobird’s Mersin trip is over now It’s glad to meet us and leaves the city with lots of beautiful memories.

16.2. Aylin LEVENTOĞLU- Nejdet Ülger Primary School

Wowww,what a wonderful bird it is!!Let’s make it fly over our beautiful city.There are amazing caves in Mersin.

First cave is the Heaven cave. There are 288 steps  to the cave.It is getting colder as you get closer to the cave. In the cool, damp atmosphere of the cave mouth, the rough stone steps can be slippery. Walk with care! If you are injured, your mobile phone probably won’t work in the cave, and it will take time for help to arrive.

Second cave is the hell. 100 meters uphill from Heaven, is a smaller depression with steeper sides, 30 meters in diameter and 120 meters deep. Luckily, its walls are too steep to allow access, so you can’t descend into it (in other words, you can’t Go To Hell).

Third cave is Asthma cave. It is located about 350 m southeast of Cennet Sinkhole. Examples of stalactites, stalagmites and many other cave structures are found in this 200-m-long cave, which has formed in thousand of years. It is believed that the air inside the cave is good for asthmatics. The cave was given the name “Wishing Cave” as people tied  small clothes to make wishes on the trees around the cave.

Fourth cave is Gilindire cave. Discovered by sepherd 10 years ago , cave length 555 mtr long and contains wonderfull stalatice structures and bats and Mediterenian monk seals.

The technobird is too tired.Let’s make it have a rest for a while before flying away to another city….

16.3. Zeynep Şakar ŞAHİNOĞULLARI- 50.Yıl Gökçeller Primary School

While flying over the Mediterranean Sea;Technobird sees a beautiful city near seaside.Then it decides to visit there.

It descends and flies over the city.Then he hears the children’s voices and smells delicious food scents.It lands right there.There are stands with various kinds of food in school garden.And a child sees and comes near it.He says:’Hello!Who are you?’.Technobird answers ‘Hi.I’m Technobird.I’m travelling from one city to another .I see there and want to learn more about this city.’Student says:’I’m Çınar.and this is 50.Yıl Gökçeller Primary School.Today we have an activity about Mersin’s delicious foods.Çınar offers to visit the stands and tastes food together.Technobird accepts his offer.

There is CEZERYE on first table.Çınar says:’This is Cezerye .It is made of carrot,sugar,peanut,walnut or hazelnut.It is one of the famous dessert in Mersin.Technobird tastes and says’I like it.It is delicious.

Then It sees KEREBİÇ and asks What is this?Miray;stand attendant;says KEREBİÇ is one of the famous desserts in MERSİN,People eat it especially in Ramadan Month.Moreover it is served with special foam made from roots of a plant’ÇÖVEN’Technobird tastes and like it.

Technobird smells TANTUNİ and passes the third stand immediately.Ömer says This is Tantuni.It is one of the famous foods in MERSİN.It is made of meat and it is delicious.

There are KISIR and BATIRIK on fourth table.Buse tells that They are made of Bulgur and they are nutritious.

There are oranges,bananas,apricots,plums and grapes on the table.Technobird tastes them and says MERSİN has very delicious foods.Ilike all of them.It says GOODBYE and flies to another city.

18. TECHNOBIRD IS IN HATAY

18.1. Semiha KILIÇ- Bedii Sabuncu Secondary School

Technobird has some relatives from Hatay.He has never been to Hatay before so he decides to visit all his relatives and see Hatay.He starts to learn everything about this beautiful city.His relatives live in the garden of  Bedii Sabuncu Secondary School so they give some information about the location.

Technobird learns that Hatay is the south part of  Turkey. It is an border city which takes place  between the gulf of  İskenderun, Adana, Osmaniye,Gaziantep and Syria. The center of Hatay is Antakya.Hatay has a very big agricultural area on Amik plain.

Hatay is known as the center of social and religious toleration and most original cities of Mediterranean Culture. Hatay is rich about tourism because it protects its own multi- cultural structure through the history. Hatay has an Archeology Museum which has the second biggest

mosaic collectionin the World.When technobird sees this museum he admires it. Samandağ Beach is the second longest beach in the world which is 14 km.Technobird flies over the beach and sees the wonderful view.Itvisits the St.Pierre Church.He  learns that this church is very important for Christianity

He also sees Harbiye waterfalls  and hears  the legend  of Apollo and Daphne.He buysthe famous daphne soap.Technobird wants to  eat somethingelse so he eats famous dessert of Hatay,Künefe. It  is made of tel kadayıf cheese and sherbet.Then he flies over the hill of Habibi Neccar Mountain to see the panoromic view of Antakya.After seeing this fabulous scene he visits the Habibi Neccar Mosque.He learns the event of Habibi Neccar which is mentioned in the Koran.

They go to Samandağ to see Titus Tunnel.This tunnel is 1.4km.Today it is dry but It is very nice to walk along and through the rock.Technobird  is amazed when he sees this extraordinary Roman engineeing.Technobird seesBeşikli Cave because ıt  is very close to Titus Tunnel. In cave, there are many graves date back to  hellenistic period.

After this historical trip they go to Hıdırbey to see Musa tree. This tree history is based on miracle.  When prophet Musa and prophet Hızır move towards to mountain. They feel tired and have rest in under the tree. Prophet Musa forgets his baton while drinking water and they continue to walk.
When they come from mountain, they see that baton turns green and becomes a bush.
There is a belief this buttonwood is about 2000-3000 years.

Technobird is very tired and hungry so they go to Grand Bazar to eat delicious dıshes of Hatay.Technobird also eats humus,tepsi kebab,kağıt kebab,arab kebab and oruk there.Then he sees the old streets and houses of Antakya and buys some souvenirsfor his friends.Hatay makes techno amazed by its history and culture.He decides to come back there again.He thanks for this great trip and flew for the new adventures.

20. TECHNOBIRD IS IN KONYA

20.1. Aslı SORUÇ- Kemal Hatipoğlu Prımary School

20.2. Ahsen MUTLU- Şehit Hamdi Karagöz Secondary School

20.3. Şerife BAYKAL DAL- Adnan Hadiye Sürmegöz Secondary School

20.1. Aslı SORUÇ- Kemal Hatipoğlu Prımary School

It is an ordinary day for the children in Kemal Hatipoğlu Primary School. Some of them have an English lesson and they are waiting for their teacher. When their English teacher comes in the classroom, any of them knows the surprise. Their teacher comes in the classroom with a new friend. But it is a little different friend, it is a bird. The teacher introduces the technological bird to her students, “It is your new friend, Technobird. We’re going to introduce it our city.” The students are very excited and Technobird is excited too.

The students ask Technobird where to go and want to see. It says it already sees the Mevlana Museum, Alaaddin Mosque, Catalhoyuk and Sille. So they decide to go to Salt Lake. Salt Lake is the second largest lake of Turkey so Technobird is very interested in it.

Salt Lake has a huge area but for most of the year it is shallow, especially in dry summer months. Because the water evaporates in huge quantities. It leaves a tick crust of salt on the surface. This salt is extracted, worked, refined and sold in markets. It is amazing for Technobird to hear these information. But it is sad to learn that Salt Lake is in danger because of the industrial pollution.

After a trip, they leave Salt Lake.

Technobird is interested in lakes so students ask their teacher to go to Meke Crater Lake. They decide to go there. But the lakes are not near to each other, and they are all very hungry. So they want to eat something. The students have an idea, they want to eat “Etliekmek” which is a special food of Konya. Technobird likes etliekmek very much.

At last they come to the Meke Crater Lake. It is located in Karapınar, in Konya. It is circle shaped like an island located at the middle of the lake which is called Meke. At the top of the hill that is made of volcano remainings. All the surroundings of the hill is covered by dark ashes. It is not deeper than 12 metres. The lake’s salty water is mixed with magnesium and sodium sulfate and it is coming out from the Earth.

Technobird is very happy to see these lakes and to meet its friends. The students are also very happy to meet Technobird. They all thanked to their tecahers . The students and Technobird love each other very much.

And it is time to leave for Technobird.  It flies away and the students come back to their school.

20.2. Ahsen MUTLU- Şehit Hamdi Karagöz Secondary School

TechnoBird can be a technological bird, but it is really interested in history. While flying near the ground, it hears that there is a historical city called Konya. It wants to see this city and see the history since 11th century.

One day it starts flying thorough the air. It will not be difficult to reach to Konya, because Konya is located in a lowland, the southern part of the Middle Anatolian Region. There is no need to fight against huge mountains etc. When it arrives at Konya, TechnoBird is fascinated by this peaceful and quiet city. There is no crowded roads and streets. It has seen so many cities so far, but it thinks to itself that Konya is one of the most livable city in Turkiye.

While flying over Konya, it sees some historical ruins around the city centre. It decides to descend slowly on the Alâeddin Hill. Finally it lands on the top of the Alâeddin Mosque. It starts waiting to learn the history of this mosque. Luckily a tourist group is coming to the point where TechnoBird waits, and the guide starts mentioning about the Alâeddin Mosque. It learns that the Alâeddin Mosque is the great masterpiece of Seljuk Period and the oldest and biggest mosque in Konya. It was built in the rule of Sultan Aladdin Keykubat. It also wants to see inside of the mosque. When there is no one around, the bird quickly comes in. The mysterious atmosphere grasps TechnoBird. It starts looking at the beautiful  and mysterious architecture. At that time someone notices TechnoBird, so it has to leave the mosque.

Being sad, TechnoBird starts flying again. After a while it sees a crowded place. It wants to see where it is. It lands on near a group of people and starts listening to them. TechnoBird hears a word which it knows before. It is;

Come, come, whoever you are.

Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn’t matter.

Ours is not a caravan of despair.

come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times.

Come, yet again , come , come.

TechnoBird is surprised and cannot believe it is in the place of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. It, of course, wants to visit the mausoleum of this Muslim wise. Now it becomes more fearless, and it decides to go into the tomb. When it is inside, it sees that there are many tombs of blessed men. TechnoBird thinks the atmosphere is beautiful and mystic. It hides behind a column, and it starts praying for all technological birds. However, it never forgets human beings. It quietly says

‘I wish a peaceful world for everyone.’

Being peaceful, TechnoBird decides to leave Konya. While flying outside of the Konya, it comes across many cheerful students. TechnoBird is now in the garden of Şehit Hamdi Karagöz Secondary School. It stops and wants to watch them. The students are playing Cram game on the smart board during the English lesson. They are so happy. Then they go outside and start playing Tarsia. At the end they all say

‘We love English!’

20.3. Şerife BAYKAL DAL- Adnan Hadiye Sürmegöz Secondary School

Zeynep Ece and  Başak Ada are students in the best  secondary school of Konya-Adnan Hadiye Surmegoz Secondary School.

They are on a school trip in Çatalhoyuk.Zeynep Ece is looking at the sky.Her best friend Basak Ada asks:

“What are you doing,Ece? Who are you waiting for?”

Then  suddenly,they hear a  voice and look at the sky.Ece is so happy and she is smiling.She says“ It is coming”

Basak is surprised and afraid when she sees the bird in the sky but it is so beautiful and amazing. Ece says :“I am waiting for you, Technobird.Our English Teacher Serife Baykal Dal tells us your stories.I want to meet you so much and you hear my heart’s voice.Now, you are here.I am Zeynep and she is my friend  Basak”

Technobird answers: “Nice to meet you.I heard your wish.What do you want me to do for you?”

Ece and Basak want to introduce the their city  to the Technobird so the Techobird  can  tell the people around the world  Konya’s historical places and their stories.

Technobird asks with wonder: “Where are we now in?Let’s start.I am sure I will be so happy at the end of this journey.

Ece starts to tell “ Here is Catalhoyuk. When you can take photos,I will give you information about Catalhoyuk.This place is World’s Oldest Site.It is established around 7500 B.C.We might see Catalhoyuk as a site whose history is about one of man’s most important transformations:from nomad to settler.Art- both painting and sculpture- was playing important role in the lives settled people.”

Basak adds “Konya has a lot of historical places.”

Technobird starts to flap his wings and a magical door opens. “That time,let’s fly there.Where will we go?

Children say ‘Takkeli Dağ’ because  it is highest mountain of Konya and Technobird can see all the city’ landscape from there.

Technobird “What a large and beautiful city. You are so lucky to live here.”

Basak  points at “Technobird, look at there!” and adds “There is ‘Sille’. It is my hometown. Sille is on the historic King Road, Silk Road and Pilgrims Road to Jerusalem (Kudüs).You can see mosques and the churches together. There are the Hagia Heleni Church,Milk Church, 7 Cave churches and there are also ancient rock dwellings , a  Greek water bridge,and traditional houses.”

Technobird  says “And it has a beautiful dam lake.It is so nice.”

Basak continues ‘Sille’ is  a Rum(Greek) word and it means ‘It belongs to Rome’ In Sille, Greeks and Muslims lived together in the brotherhood.”

Technobirds surprises “How  a tolerant and insightful society”

Ece remembers “We have Mevlana’(Mawlana)understanding.Do you know  Mevlana?

The Technobird answered “Of course I know him.He is a the great Anatolian Mystic, poet and the father of the Mevlevi order”

Ece and Basak adds “we are going to Mevlana Museum…”

Technobird flaps his wings and the place changes, now they are in the Mevlana Museum.

Technobird is impressed with how holly place this is.

Basak starts to tell “It is famous for Mevlana Mausoleum.This magnificent structure also includes many sections such as outdoors, Dervish Cells, Kitchen, Yard, Mosque, Library, Chant Room, Water-tank with a fountain, Semahane and Çerag Door”

Mevlana Museum grabs them with its mystic and fantastic atmosphere.

Ece suddenly tells the Technobird “I know it is coming the time to go.Wherever you go, I want you to tell the Mevlana’s seven pieces of  advice to people who you meet as a gift from us.

1. In generosity and helping others: be like the river
2. In compassion and grace: be like the sun.
3. In concealing others’ faults: be like the night.
4. In anger and fury: be like the dead.
5. In modesty and humility: be like the soil.
6. In tolerance: be like the ocean.
7. Either you appear as you are, or: be as you appear

The Technobird says “Of course, I love your idea..It time to go..Nice to meet you.”

Ece and Basak have some tears in their eyes.They say “ Come again,please.Nice to meet you,too”

The Technobird suddenly dissappears.

Ece and Basak feel like they wake up from a beautiful dream.

22. TECHNOBIRD IS IN NEVŞEHİR

22.1. Esra KÜÇÜKGÖK- Alacaşar Religious Secondary School

While our eTwinning bird ‘Technobird ‘ is flying over the Central Anatolian Region , it sees fairy chimneys and decides to visit us.It is fascinated by our city Nevşehir’s beauty and hurries to travel as fast as he can.My students and I make a travel plan for Technobird.First we start from our village Alacaşar and we welcome it in our school,tell about our history.Cappadocia is an area in Cental Anatolia and best known for its unique moon-like landscape,underground cities,cave churches and houses carved in rocks.The earliest appearance of name of Cappadocia dates from the 6th century.It has been called similar names in many other languages, one of them is Haspaduya (old Persian meaning ‘the land of beatiful horses’

The most visited attractions include underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı,Göreme National Park ,Göreme Open-air Museum,Zelve Open-air Museum ,Red and Rose Valleys,Paşabağ,Uçhisar,Avanos,Ürgüp etc.After telling about attractions we decide to get on hot air balloon and see spectacular landscapes. This ride starts from very beginning of the day and you have to get up very early but it deserves it.As you begin this hot air balloon tour for sunrise you will start to hypnotised by spectacular beauties.You can see fairy chimneys,pigeon houses,orchards,vineyards etc.Among these attractions , Technobird wants to learn about Uçhisar Castle.It is the highest hill of Cappadocia and you can see a lot of places from there without getting on hot air balloon from its panoramic sights. There are many carved cubes, carved graves and large cisterns at the summit of the castle.The castle resembles a skyscraper with a structure of 50 meters from the south and 100 meters from the north.Technobird likes this castle very much.Another places which Technobird wants to see underground cities so we get off the hot air baloon,and go to the Derinkuyu. Built on a very wide area with an eight-storey structure, this city was founded and used by people who flee from the battles hundreds of years ago in this region. it has a mystical atmosphere and it attracts a lot of attentions.There are lots of beautiful places to see with Technobird but it is a bit tired so we decide to eat our famous dish TestiKebab.It is very delicious and make with lamb meat,tomatoes,garlic and onions.  After the meal Technobird says it loves our city very much and we love it,too.Another travels wait for Technobird, we are very glad to meet Technobird…

24. TECHNOBIRD IS IN GİRESUN

24.1. Eray KOCASAKAL- Kanuni Secondary School

One day, Technobird was bored and decided to take a sightseeing tour over TURKEY.While It was flying from city to city,It came to Giresun.Giresun is in Black Sea Region in the North of TURKEY.Technobird met with Kanuni Secondary School’s 7/B class students and they became friends.Students decided to introduce Giresun to Technobird.Technobird was hungry and It wanted to taste Giresun’s traditional meals.Technobird and students went to a restaurant and they ate PANCAR ÇORBASI,FASULYE DİBLESİ,KARA LAHANA SARMASI,MISIR EKMEĞİ and HAMSİ TAVA.They were all full after eating these meals and they were ready to visit Giresun’s historical and cultural places.They visited GIRESUN MUSEUM,GIRESUN CASTLE,GIRESUN ISLAND and then they went to GAZİ STREET and ATATURK SQUARE.After that,Technobird wanted to breathe fresh air and it wanted his friends take it to the Giresun’s plateaus.So They decided to go BEKTAŞ,KÜMBET and KULAKKAYA plateaus.On the way,They saw KUZALAN ŞELALESİ and MAVİ GÖL.They were amazing and wonderful natural beauties in Giresun and Technobird was amazed.Technobird took lots of photos with its friends.

At the end of the day,They went to HAS BAHÇE to drink a cup of coffee and watched the wonderful view of GİRESUN.Technobird was very happy to visit Giresun and It promised to come back here again soon.Finally,Technobird and Kanuni Secondary School’s students gave a big hug each other and Technobird flew to visit another beautiful city of TURKEY

26. TECHNOBIRD IS IN MALATYA

26.1. Zeynep Asya ÇAĞLAYAN- Darende-Mustafa İclal Başer Anatolian High School

26.2. Münife Betül DELİER- Somuncu Baba Religious Secondary School

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLCEXKqj2ec

While Technobird was flying from one city to another over Turkey, it decided to turn its direction  to Malatya. Being very exhausted, Technobird decided to take a respite in Darende and visited Zeynep Teacher and wander the beautiful district of Malatya. Zeynep Teacher, who was suddenly startled with the bird on her shoulder, was very pleasant when she saw that the bird was a technobird. After hours of conversation with Technobird, they started to visit the beauties of Darende. First they started from the Günpınar waterfall. Günpınar Waterfall, which is one of the few natural waterfalls of our country, is in Günpınar village which is connected to the district. Günpınar  waterfall, located 8 km from Darende,  is the most beautiful promenade places of Malatya Falls. The water spills from the source in 3 steps, about 40 meters high, embracing the wind and fondling your face. Thousands of visitors from all over the world can go trekking on the 1,5 km course towards the source of the water, which is great for nature, offering the opportunity of rest, entertainment and sports. On the left side of Günpınar Waterfall, you can see that the spring water which is independent from the main depth has been filtered. These waters freeze in the winter season and the waterfall becomes almost like Pamukkale. It is only 5 km to the highway connecting the two most important tourism centers of our country, Cappadocia, to Nemrut. Günpınar Waterfall  is a natural beauty worth seeing. It gives health and energy to visitors with the negative ion that it has put around. Zeynep teacher and technobird, who were filled with energy in the day spring waterfall, decided to go to the monument of Hasan Gazi and martyrdom. Seyyid Hasan Gazi is from the grandson of our Prophet (s.a.v), Hüseyin Gazi’s brother, Sayyid Battal Ghazi’s uncle and father-in-law. He was martyred in the siege of the Zengibar castle during the Abbasids period. There is a tomb of ‘Fahr’ül Ulema Sayyid’üþ-Şüheda’ Sayyid Hasan Gazi, which is known as Şehitlik Tepesi. In the same place also; the name of 92 martyrs from Darende  who were martyrs in the War of Independence, in the Ottoman-Russian War, in the Republic of Turkey, in the internal revolts, in Trablusgarp and in the struggle against terrorism, were printed on marble plates and placed inside the Martyrdom Monument he was put. Technobird who is proud of history and so sad for martyrs in Hasan Gazi also said that he had heard so much about the praise of  Somuncu Baba. The life journey that started from the spiritual architects of the Ottoman geography, Sheikh Hamid-i Veli Somuncu Baba, in 1331 in the village of Akçakaya in Kayseri, ended in 1412 in the city of Darende in Malatya. The Somuncu Baba Tomb located in Darende is visited by thousands of guests every year and continues to lead the people of today with his life, effects and works. Somuncu Baba has not been forgotten by Anatolian people even after more than 600 years passed after his death; has become one of the most visited friends of Allah in our country. Somuncu Baba has been living in the presence of God in the people who have been distracted from the place where the secret has emerged and have been engaged in the education of their talents throughout life. For this reason, the main answer the question of where the Somuncu Baba’s Tomb is the hearts of the lovers. After the spiritual fulfillment of the Somuncu Baba, he went to the Tohma Canyon for  rafting. The Tohma Canyon is steep and has an appearance of high slopes close to the dike. With this feature, the canyon slopes offer an adrenaline-filled adventure to climbing athletes. Tohma, which flows through the canyon, is designed for those who prefer fun trekking to those who prefer trekking, as well as narrow and pathways along the Tohma coast, while rafting enthusiasts enjoy exciting hours. After the exhausting rafting experience, technobird was very hungry and Zeynep teacher took technobird to eat Darende kebab. In these days when the local special taste of the wedding and special occasions are experienced, there is a drum sound in every neighborhood. Darende kebab preparations are made in the boilers that are established when the wedding owner gets a sweet flurry. Kebabs with a distinctive feature with a special taste of regional specialties are a must for wedding and special occasions in weddings. When the special day comes, the nerves and oils of the meats are taken and the roasts are chopped according to the number of guests and according to the number of guests, the boilers will be cooked and cooked and placed in the boiled oiled boilers and the boiled meat will be added to the boilers before being mixed and started to be mixed. 6 dry onions are buried and the boilers are closed. After about 1 hour, the meat is left to stand and the salt is removed and the salt is sprinkled. Put 3-5 tomatoes in the boiler. A few green peppers are placed near the cooked pans. Onions and green peppers are removed one by one in the last part of kebab that is rested and cooked. After being rested for a while, the ready meal is served. After a satisfying meal, it was time for the road to go, because Betül teacher at Malatya center was looking forward to technobird. Technobird saying good-bye to Zeynep teacher set off the road to Malatya.

Zeynep Asya ÇAĞLAYAN/Mustafa İclal Başer Anatolian High School

Technobird with Betül Teacher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Smb_to9W9o

Malatya, Malatya, nobody can find a city like you…This was the song Technobird heard while it was flying in front of Somuncu Baba İmam Hatip Secondary School. It got worried and entered the class of 5th grades. Students were making a cartoon video with the Toontastic app. When children saw it they got very excited. It was a little bit tired and wanted some water. After drinking the water it asked Betül teacher to show it Malatya Center. They accepted its wish and set off altogether for a trip. First, they went to the Aslantepe. Musa turned on his tablet and read information about it: Aslantepe contains ruins dating from 5000BC onwards – although ancient Anatolian buildings and the newer Hittite walls are the core of the site. The site is effectively an open-air museum, with much of it under partial cover. Remains of truly ancient artwork can be seen on a few walls.

After returning back, they went to the bazaar at the center. They bought apricots, Malatya’s most famous product, and palms there. The children didn’t eat as they were fasting.

In the afternoon, they traveled around the city center, saw Yeni Cami, built in 1912, Ataturk House Museum, the clock tower and rested at Hurriyet Park. They visited Battalgazi, the original city. Lastly, they went ice skating at Malatya Park AVM. They were really tired and everybody left for their homes to have iftar dinner and before its getting darker, technobird left, too for other beautiful cities of Turkiye.

AND THIS IS FROM ANOTHER STUDENT, DİLARA. THANKS HER FOR HER WORDS:

Technobird’s way has fallen to Malatya this time. It will now explore Malatya.
Technobird wants  to  taste  Malatya’s  regional  dishes.Then  went  to  a  traditional  restaurant  and  told  him  to  give  it  to  the  waiter.The waiter brought   the  most  famous  dish  Analı Kızlı  of  Malatya. And  after  eating  it winged  for  the  next  stop.
Technobird’s  next  stop  is   the  apricot  gardens .Technobird   |  visited  gardens  and  collected  apricots.It and  farmers  planted new apricot  seedlings . Also  it learned  the  drying  stages  of  the  apricots.
Technobird  finally  visited  the  Levent  Valley. Technobird  was  very  excited  there  because  the  Levent Valley  is  at  the  edge  of  the  precipice.
There  is  a  cruising  balcony  on  the  edge  of  this  precipice.People  come  this  cruise  balcony  and  watch  the  precipice. Technobird  finished  Malatya   touring   and  traveled  to  other cities.

28. TECHNOBIRD IS IN NİĞDE

28.1. Sema ÇİMEN- Atatürk Secondary School

On a sunny Sunday we were at the picnic with our students at Emli Valley.The students and I are playing tag.While were running,we saw a bird coming near us.It settled on the ground and looked us.It was really very beautiful.We thought  that it was hurt but it wasn’t.It started to speak.We were surprised how a bird could speak.It said that it lost its way and asked where it was.We asked its name.It was TECHNOBIRD. We said it was at Emli Valley in Çamardı/ NİĞDE.It wanted us to give information about Çamardı and Niğde.

Emli Valley is a valley near Çukurbağ Village.You can go trekking and camp in this valley.Some of the cyclist ride here.There are different kind of flowers in summer.In winter you can see the mountain goats and deers .In every season you can watch the magnificent view of Aladağlar.

Technobird loved Emli Valley but it was tired and hungry.We ate fish together.It also loved the fish because the fish was very delicious.In Çamardı there are lots of fish restaurants near Ecemiş River.

Ecemiş River is located between Niğde Massive and Aladağ which is eastern part of the Middle Taurus Mountains.Ecemiş River basin, which is in the administrative borders of Niğde Province and Çamardı district, is an open basin.  It’s overall area is 785 km2.

In every season you can find fresh fish there. While eating your fish you can watch the Demirkazık Mountain.

Demirkazık Mountain  is the highest peak in Aladaglar, going from Cukurbag to the mountain plateau of Sokulupinar,Demirkazık is the highest of Aladağlar range mountains.It is  3756m.you can come here for climbing.July,August and September are the best months to climb.And you can do hiking here.It has a great view of sunset.Not only Turkish but also tourist from other countries come Çamardı for trekking,hiking and climbing.

In the village of Demirkazik, there is a new privately managed mountain resort with a 100-bed capacity, with eating and bathing facilities as well as a library. It is possible to use this resort as a base for reaching the summits of Demirkazik .

Technobird loved Çamardı and it said it would come again not for trekking but eating fish J

We showed it the way to Niğde because there are lots of historical places to see and taste the delicious Niğde cuisine so that we are sure that it will also love Niğde very much

30. TECHNOBIRD IS IN  GAZİANTEP

30.1. Nida DEMİR- Nezihe Osman Atay Primary School

30.2. Demet KUZU- Ömer Humanızlı Primary School

30.3. Nuray ŞAHİN- Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Vocational High School

30.4. Duygu OVAYOLU- Nurel Enver Taner Secondary School

30.5. Fatma ASLAN- Tekel Primary School

30.1. Nida DEMİR- Nezihe Osman Atay Primary School

https://youtu.be/rnlU7C4ckx4

http://www.eba.gov.tr/haber/1530230427

In the morning, Nida DEMİR and her students are at the school. Tarık runs near them. There is a different bird beside him. Nobody believes Tarık who said the bird came from underground. When they talk Technobird, they realize that what Tarık said is true. This bird is a private bird. When they ask him where it came from, it talks them it is traveling. Suddenly it says: Will you take me to the museums? It wants to see the museums in Gaziantep. Nida DEMİR and her pupils go to Technobird to visit the museum with permission from their school principal. It says they had a history museum.They are surprised. How does Technobird know? There are many museums in Gaziantep. They can all go. But let’s have breakfast first, They say it’s very hungry. Technobird is tired,too. A good breakfast will be also good for it.

They go to the Metanet Restaurant immediately. Technobird likes the taste of “Beyran” with plenty of spicy and abundant slices for breakfast. Besides, Technobird, which is eating the “Cartlak” kebab in the name of Küppe named bread,is full of cheerful and energy.TechnoBird looks at its watch when it is eating Antep cheese and it removes them.

They go to “Pişirici Mescidi ve Kasteli” immediately. TechnoBird loves this delicacy that people used to wash their clothes. TechnoBird’s face is laughing as it walkes into an empty room and it goes out.

They go out of there without knowing what it was and go to the National Struggle Museum. There, in the War of Independence, all the difficulties of our people were told. TechnoBird is touched by this heroic struggle of the Gazianteps.It immediately goes to the models with Şehitkamil and her mother. It leans over and takes out a paper. It is written “E” on the paper. It say it should go now.

Then they go to Medusa glass art museum. There are many works of art from the Romans about ancient greek.After Technobird checks everywhere, it leanes back to the Medusa Museum of Glass Museum and finds a paper. It says we have to leave without seeing what it wrote on the paper. They are on their way.

They go to the Monumental Period Money Museum. There are money from every nation here. TechnoBird is very fond of seeing this museum that used the metal and paper money used centuries ago. There is a swing in the garden where the moneys are. It also takes a paper from under the currency table just below.It is written “CN” on the paper. They still have not figured out what Technobird is looking for.

From there, they go to the Game and Toy museum. In this museum full of many toys, Technobird go to near toy bird. The bird suddenly comes alive and says his name. “Hi I’m Zumbabird”. The students are very surprised. The students see that bird before, but it never talks to them. Zumbabird leans over and whispers something into the Technobird’s ear. Then, TechnoBird says let’s get out of here. They go after TechnoBird without knowing what it is.

They take it to the Emine Göğüs Culinary Arts Museum. The Technobird admires by the museum, tries to eat the bread made by sculptures. There are so many sculptures that all are very realistic. Here, there are Gaziantep’s knowledge of all local dishes, paintings and the way our old people is cooking. Technobird is looking around. A man in safety comes and gives something in Technobird’s hand. Technobird says we have to get out of the way.They are on their way back to school.Their last stop is the Zeugma museum because their school is very close to the Zeugma museum.

The world’s second largest mosaic museum, Zeugma, have many mosaic artifacts. Technobird, who immediately go to the Gypsy Girl’s mozaic, go to take the letter-written mosaic just below it and go. They leave without seeing which the letter written.

After returning to their school, Technobird says them, “Now I have to go. Thank you for everything. I also have to visit Demet KUZU and her students”. and flies away. How does Technobird know so much about this name and things? It left a lot of questions behind it.

30.2. Demet KUZU- Ömer Humanızlı Primary School

While Technobird is flying over Gaziantep,it is time to see old friend called Demet Kuzu. While young twinners in Ömer Humanızlı Primary School are studying English lesson,Technobird come to the classroom by using opened window of class. As soon as Demet teacher sees the bird,she knows it and is shocked. Suddenly,she screames ‘Hi,Technobird, hi small bird of Better Together Project ! ‘Then,she meets it with students and they decide to visit the beauties of Gaziantep all together.

The first step is Gaziantep Zoo. It is Turkey’s largest and the world’s fourth largest animal center. It is really worth to see because it is home to 4000 animals drawn from 270 species. Technobird likes especially birds because they are its family. A bird at the zoo gives a paper written “I”. They don’t understand what that is.

Then it wants to go Copper Bazaar, the bird is very happy because it is fond of handmade stuff so it falls in love with this place. It is in the heart of Gaziantep. Technobird could find gifts for its friends and family.They have realized Technobird wrote a letter “NG”. This is interesting.

While they are walking in the street, there is an interesting monument called Şehit Kadınlar Monument because it was built for 83 women who were martyr for defending on Antep. When Technobird hear it,it startes to cry,it is very upset due to wars,starvation,famine and all negative things. It reaches to monument, looks at it and takes a note.”AZ”.

Students try to let it happy and the solution is Nohut Dürümü J When they get Technobird full, it would be happy because nohut dürümü has a power to give happiness and peace. They eat in Belkıs Park in the fresh air.

Technobird likes it so much and they go on wonder because there are two places to visit,too. One of them is Millet Hanı built in 1571 and after a long time Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visited here. It is very interesting  because it is cradle of civilization and cultures. Technobird climbs up stairs and down quickly.It writes a new letter. But they can’t see it.

The other place is Zeytinhan. You can find every kind of olive and products about olive. That’s why a rich culture of this city. When the students look at around Zeytinhan,it writes a letter again. They ask why,but Technobird don’t answer them. Everything is amazing and everybody is tired. Technobird says “Thanks for everything,I’m nice to see you. Now I must go to Nuray ŞAHİN and her students” and flies from there. They don’t understand anything about the letters.

30.3. Nuray ŞAHİN- Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Vocational High School

Nuray ŞAHİN and her students are at the school garden. They realize a bird flying around them. The bird talks them.“Hello, I’m Technobird.I want to visit your city.” They are surprised but like Technobird. They get a permission from their headmaster and decide to go out with Technobird.

They take Technobird to Chain Bedesten, who want to look at some gifts. Entering a shop where all kinds of soaps are made, Technobird picks up chocolate soap and drops soap while putting it in the pocket. A sheet of paper falls through the cracking soap. There are some letters on the paper. It puts the paper in its pocket without saying what it is.Then they realized that Technobird ‘s objective is different. Technobird who doesn’t tell them why,  is so exhausted.

They take to it the Tabak Hammam for throwing its fatigue. Technobird looks behind the door of hammam. After it gets out a paper that is stuck in the wall there, Technobird leave all its items in a corner and it has a shower there.

After enjoying the beautiful baths in the plate bath and taking all their tiredness, they collect their things and go to ”Rumkale”. They go to the bus station to get to the bus stop for Rumkale, which is a little far away. And they are in Rumkale.

Technobird, which does not expect such a beautiful view, has also admired the Poet Saint Nerses Church, the Barossa monastery, water cisterns and water wells among the remains that can be seen today besides body walls and bastions. There is a paper on the floor of the castle. It writes “HER” on it. It says to lift the paper and go right now.Technobird says “Thanks for everything,I’m nice to see you. Now I must go to Duygu OVAYOLU and her students” and flies from there. They don’t understand anything about the letters.

30.4. Duygu OVAYOLU- Nurel Enver Taner Secondary School

Duygu OVAYOLU and her students are at the school. They see Technobird on the window. Technobird says it want to travel. The students accept .

Tecnobird firstly wants a break from urban life and it flies to Düllükbaba Nature Park. It sees the green and breathes fresh air.Then it gets hungry and eats grilled meat there. It sees flowers, trees, picnic grounds, fantastic  water view  and people who are jogging.It swims in water and find a paper on the grass. “CUL” is written on it.

In the evening it wants to drink tea and coffee It decides to go to Tahmis Kahvesi. It flies there. It drinks menengiç coffee. This coffee has a little different taste. Our technobird likes it very much. The place is very authentic and nice. The atmosphere is great and mystical. It sees waterpipe and backgammon there. Under the backgammon board, it finds a letter. And then they go to “Botanical garden”. It seems very glorius. It loves so  much here. They get rest and eat icecream. Technobird finds a paper on the grass. They don’t see what it is.

Then they decides go to Gaziantep Castle. Even though the castle was built in the Roman period, the focus of its exhibitions and displays is about the role of Gaziantep during the Turkish war of independence. Technobird  finds a paper written “AL” and goes out there.

They are very tired. Technobird says “Nice to see you. But now I must go to Fatma ASLAN and her students. See you.” And it goes there.

30.5. Fatma ASLAN- Tekel Primary School

Technobird wants to go on a trip to Gaziantep with parks, Fatma teachers and students volunteer to show him. The kids take her to the “Kavaklık” park where they think it’ll love her. This park, which passes through the Alleben lake of the city center today, has a lush green area. Seeing that many people come here for sports and hiking in the city, technobird says it is important to have a healthy life with children and children, and they itinerate by cycling around here.

They decide to go to Şahinbey Park (Sahinler valley) after this because they want to ride a cable car with Technobird here. They take a bird’s-eye view of the park with a cable car and have a lot of fun on the mountain. Technobird sees a letter on cable car and writes. It is “HER”. Luckily there is a children’s concert in the amphitheater that day they listen to music and have fun together. Fatma teacher ,students and Technobird also visits the part of 29 different cultures historical structures and then takes them to Wonderland  whisch is both the Technobird and children’s favorite.

Technobird and the students seeing Wonderland which is Turkey’s first theme parks,the amusement park are very excited. There are so many fun ways that they can not decide which one to go rafting, mountain raindrops, water sculptures, fear tunnels, horse riding, and more. At last, they choose the ancestor and the fear settled in the tunnel.Technobird sees a letter in the tunnel. It is “I”. One of the children suggests to go to the green valley park where he went with his family and they said that there was a surprise in Technobird and they get out of the way.

The activities of the Green Valley Park are so varied and beautiful that they do not know where to start. What the student wanted to show in the technobir is the dinosaur park. The enormous models of animals that lived centuries ago and are endangered are in front of their eyes like living things. Technobird is very enthusiastic when they see. Technobird sees a letter on the grass, but the students don’t it. Later, they visit the adventure park, the adrenalin tower, and the sea bikes, they relax in the swimming pool.

Fatma Teacher recently suggests to go to a Fairy Tale Park because there are heroes that students know closely.In the fairy park, the characters of the Turkish and world titles, the children and TechnoBird  are attracted to the pictures and play games. Technobird goes to Nasrettein Hodja. Under him, it sees a letter. It is “G”. Everyone loves their favorite fairy tale hero, Technobird loves a legendary hero, the Anka Bird. The boys tell him his story.

They go to the Waterfall Park facilities which is a nice place to introduce Antep food.This park was built on a hill, and when they go to the restaurant, they see a table filled with various kinds of dishes such as kebabs, nests, aubergine kebabs, dry dolmas, firik rice, alinazik, all kinds of kebabs. Technobird likes most fried rice and dry stuff. Technobird sees a letter on the plate and writes but the students don’t see it.

After a nice meal, it’s time to say good-bye. The students wanted and wanted to come back to Technobird. Technobird says that it likes Gaziantep and the children very much and waves its wings away.

When Technobird is flying, a paper falls down. “TECHNOBIRD IS IN GAZIANTEP-BETTER TOGETHER- CULTURAL HERITAGE ” is written on the paper.

32. TECHOBIRD IS IN ARDAHAN

32.1. Muradiye AKTAŞ- Merkez Halit Paşa Primary School

It is a sunny day and Technobird is flying over Ardahan.  Technobird sees students near a lake and when it come closer to students, understands that they are on a picnic near the Çıldır Lake. It wants to talk them and get permission from their teacher. It asks ”What are you doing?” and students answer “ We’re on a Graduation Picnic here. We are having fun with our teachers.” It asks again “ May I join you?” and they cheer “yess!”. Muradiye teacher, students and Technobird take a walk around the lake. While walking around their teacher give informations about the Çıldır Ice Festival. The festival starts when the lake freezes and the participants play tipcat (Çelik Çomak) and winner gets a cup. While Their teacher talking they take lots of photos around the lake and start playing games. After playing various games, they want to eat Pişi(Flounder) with Ayran and they eat them with Technobird. It loves Pişi(Flounder) and Ayran very much and wants more.

On the way to Ardahan students want to show Devil Castle to Technobird. They get out of the bus and start walking to Devil Castle because cars can not go near the castle. Before they reached to the castle Technobird flies there and takes lots of bird’s eye view photos. It asks about the castle and students answer that there isn’t any certain information about its builder but it’s thought that it was build by Urartians. When they come back to bus Technobird wants to leave but students don’t let it because they want to show one more place.

Next destination is Damal – Atatürk’s silhouette. Atatürk is the founder of Turkish Republic and his reforms modernized the country. The silhouette first noticed by Adıgüzel Kırmızıgül in 1954. When they come to Damal and see the crowd and also the silhouette of Atatürk they are fascinated. After taking photos with silhouette it is time to go.They come back to schoolyard and Technobird leaves to get back home.