One Year Recap

I am continuing my adventure in Eskisehir. I have found that the more you involve yourself in a culture, the more you can relate to it.

Obviously, right? Although I have found some "foreigners" haven't realized this and try to make their culture the predominant one here.

Subtle hint - it's not going to work.

To recap the past year, I have seen six cities of the 81 that Turkiye has to offer. I know, it's only a sliver but with my schedule I am very thankful that I have had the opportunity to see this many! Ankara, Bursa, Izmit, Istanbul, Izmir, Eskisehir and the surrounding areas are all beautiful. Some places have more to offer than others, depending on what you are looking for. For example, if you want the beauty of being surrounded by greenery and gorgeous flowers ... go to

Bursa. If you want the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitian city immersed in history ... see Istanbul. And, if you want to relax along the seaside with great seafood and beautiful scenery, not to mention awesome nightlife ... try Izmir.

However, I have to say, if you are looking for a place to lay down roots and have a true home, come to Eskisehir. Eskisehir is a city with so much potential! Eskisehir offers a little of everything from simple pubs and nightlife to theatre and opera. A boat ride down the river is the best way to relax on a beautiful day! And, Eskisehir is within itself a historical city. With two universities and a growing populace, Eskisehir is a city on the rise! Living here has enhanced (and I know will continue to enhance) my life - I'm sure I won't realize just how much until much later. :)

These are just a few examples from my limited experience however, WOW! I think I would have missed coming to Turkey even if I hadn't known about Turkey.

I know it may not make sense, many people want to go to the United States and make their fortune there. I love the United States and will forever call it home. However, Turkey has become my second home. Never have I gone to a place and felt so welcome and so at ease so

quickly. Of course, Turkey may not be for everyone but take the opportunity to try it - it may surprise you, just as it did me.

Talk again soon!

Brrr.. it's cold in here!

Yes, winter has officially arrived ... well, it feels like it has anyway. Some days are still beautiful with the sun shining and the wind NOT blowing but most days are a bit on the dreary side, the wind is blowing and the sun - well, it's on break for a bit. The night time is completely different - as in, VERY COLD! It was 5 degrees C the other night. This isn't so bad but ... I'm leaving Turkey - at least for a few days.

That's right, we are off to the Czech Republic! Prague specifically! It will be my third trip to Prague. The weather is expected to be at 1 degree C. So, it will be even colder than it is here. I was in Prague last year this time and don't remember it being so very cold. I guess I'll be reminded.

You know it's interesting - traveling. I've had the opportunity to go to a few different countries and I just realized, I've never traveled to a different country without hitting the United States at some point. So this will be my first trip to a foreign country from a foreign country without going back to the United States. I'm not sure what to expect - maybe nothing will be different. However, it's official as of this trip - Turkiye is home. I will be coming home to Turkiye. How cool is that?

I will blog again when I return and I'm sure I'll have some photos to post as well. I really need to work on that in the future - more pictures. I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.

:)

Apartment hunting...

Learning a new language is like decorating a new apartment. One has to decide on what kind of home they are looking for – will two bedrooms work for you? A big kitchen? How many bathrooms? Will the language be used in more than one country/place? Is the vocabulary unlimited? How many tenses are used?

And once the apartment is found – do you have the main pieces of furniture that you need? Where do you go to purchase or obtain that furniture? And, normally, no matter how much you try to get JUST what you need – you always want to get things that are not necessary, little extras… a poster, some art, or a special comforter for the new bed. Do you have a dictionary? Learning verbs and how to make the different versions (tenses) is considered a very important starting point with a new language. However, one is usually lured into learning phrases that don’t literally translate which mean are good to know, maybe, however, not helpful in the long run. The goal being to speak fluently (or at least communicate with a functioning knowledge of the language).

I have a little knowledge of both apartment hunting and learning languages. Those of you who know me, know that I have moved quite often (four times just while in Turkey) and have dabbled in eight languages, thus far! So, it is with my experience that I make these statements...

Thinking that now you have the main pieces of furniture – vocabulary, verbs, a few useful phrases … one needs to make the apartment - home. Some place that one wants to dwell with the feelings of safety and understanding. Some place where it’s nice to visit with old and new friends. Having a working knowledge of a new language is great but to be able to not have to worry about saying the sentence wrong or mispronouncing something can lead to fear. Having a fear to speak ones’ new language can lead further to frustration and an apartment that is only partially furnished and not shared or enjoyed. One should not have such an apartment.

In order to avoid this situation – one should shop carefully and seek out only the most knowledgeable and patient of salesmen. A salesman that is dedicated to the basics and is willing to negotiate. Once the basics are accomplished, practice, practice, practice … Only through practice can one truly have the best arrangement in the apartment as well as the best knowledge of the language. In order to have the best arrangement – one may need to invest in more than one salesman, perhaps even a professional interior decorator. It will be worth the investment in the long run.

In time, usually about a year, one will find that they are comfortable in their new apartment and it’s not a problem to find the bathroom in the dark. Lights are needed sometimes when one is tired or a little addled (for whatever reason) but eventually, knowing one’s way home and way around will become second nature. Using one’s newly acquired language will become natural and going between one’s native tongue and the new language will be an everyday event no longer a reason for fear or anxiety, maybe even conscience thought …

Choose your apartment well. Make sure you want to stay there for at least a year, if not more. Know your stores and the availability of professional interior decorators as well as local salesmen. Start out with only the basics and move up to painting, art, etc. Just as your apartment will reflect your personality over time, your newly acquired language skills will also develop and become part of your personality. In time, you will consider yourself a native and wonder why decorating was difficult at first, for now, it seems so easy. Your apartment and your speech are beautiful!

And we're back...

It’s been forever since I’ve written and I apologize. So much has happened! Let me update you…

The seasons have changed. Summer was very, very hot. The summer days reminded me of my time in Florida. Each day was nice in the morning but by 1300-1400 the temperatures reached all time highs and the heat was almost unbearable. No matter how hot it got though, it was never completely unbearable. I did learn to carry a fan in my bag at all times and that turned out to be a saving grace. I must say, riding my bike was also a good thing - nothing like having the wind in your hair on a hot day. I can understand why riding a motorcycle is so alluring.

It’s October now and well, Summer is gone and the heat almost forgotten. Some may be wishing for it again soon. Fall is upon us and it’s wonderful. Chilly mornings and evenings – days full of sun and enough warmth. Jackets are optional for the most part however, I believe the days are soon coming when jackets will be mandatory.

With the change of the seasons, a change in address also occurred. I’ve moved to a different part of Turkiye. I am in a city which is located at a higher altitude which means cooler temperatures and snow! I am so looking forward to winter and the precipitation it will bring – hopefully in the form of snow. Of course, yesterday, we had a thunderstorm that lasted about 15 minutes but in that short time, the sun was shining, then the rain came (as if dumped) and then hail rang as it hit the glass windows and then, the sun was out once more. One must be quick not to miss the wonders of Mother Nature here, it seems. J

I’ve had the opportunity to host a friend from home (America) here recently. We made the mandatory stops in Istanbul – SutanAhmet, the Grand Bazaar, etc. We also went to Izmit and some cities nearby. It was lovely. The scenery, the friends, the tea – all were wonderful. I really enjoyed being able to show off Turkiye and some of it’s wonder to a fellow American.

I’ve fallen in love… with this country. It’s a beautiful hidden gem. The people, the culture and of course, the food, are all wonderful. My new home, in Eskisehir, is in the city centre and although the view is nothing like it was in Izmit, the view has its own beauty. The city sleeps but not very long. A few hours in the early morning is all. So, there is a lot to do and see. I will be going out soon to take pictures. For those of you on Facebook – you can see multiple postings of Eskisehir and the beauty it contains.

I will end here for today. I have internet again so I will be writing more regularly (at least once a week). Looking forward to hearing from you!

Friends

Friends – how does one define a friend? Is it someone who is there for the moment of need or someone who you can call when you find some extra time? I’ve been told that friends are “for a reason, a season or a lifetime”.

Friends for a reason are usually only around or active for a specific event in one’s life. Not that this diminishes the importance of said friends… these friends were probably the most important people around during a specific time. It’s just that once the purpose is served, these friends move on. I know that I have been a friend for a reason to many people over the years. I am always glad to have been of help (in whatever small way) but you know when it’s time to move on. Cards are always welcome.

Friends for a season are around a little longer. A season can be defined by the calendar or by a chapter in one’s life. I know having been former military that quick friendships are made overseas and many, unfortunately, don’t continue past the tour. Other friendships are made out of circumstance and could continue for a couple of weeks, or months or years. Some of those friendships that do endure the comings and goings of the other friends as well as the good, the bad and the ugly… these are the friends for a lifetime.

I am very happy to say that I have a few very good friends that have seen me at my best and my very worst. I am thankful for these friends. I like to think that we will one day, look back at our experiences and laugh, good and hard, about some of the decisions (mainly mine) that were SOOOO important and turned out to be, well, not so much.

With this in mind, I like to think that the friendships I have made in Turkey will ultimately be those of a lifetime. Something in the way that people treat each other and how they cherish a friend and friendship leads me to believe that this will be true.

Turkey will always be home to me. J

Time has continued to move quickly. It is rather interesting that I have not found myself bored here. I always have something I can do and somewhere I can go. In fact, with two days off recently, I made it to Bursa ... it's a city fairly close to Izmit. It is known for it's history, food, and University. I was very lucky to have some local tour guides. They took me from one end of the city, it seemed, to the other.

I went into my first Mosque in Bursa. I didn't know what to expect but it wasn't what I found. I guess I was thinking it would be like the historical churches I had visited in my other travels. I remember the first time I went into an old Church in Sicily - it was beautiful in a low-light sense of wonder kind of way and had an air of solemn tranquility. One did not want to talk or make a noise as to disturb the

atmosphere. Almost like one had gone back into history for a visit. With this in mind, walking into the Mosque was quite different.

The Mosque was very large and open and airy. It was well lit and bright. There was a "sky light" (for lack of a better description) in the middle which allowed natural light in and illuminated a fountain. The fountain took up the middle of the floor with water flowing gently over the edges into a pool. The gentle sounds of water and prayer were heard. It gave one a soothing feeling. As is well here, kind of thing. The Mosque was beautiful as well, with carvings and Arabic writings in gold ... uniquely beautiful.

We visited many places and saw wonderful artisans and their work in everything from shells to silk. Ultimately, we visited Tophane. It is on the top of a hill and was once used as a lookout post for invaders. The lookout is still there and it is beautiful! The view from this place should not be missed!

Having only a day really to spend in Bursa, it was lovely. The company was wonderful and I got to see more of Turkish culture. I am very thankful to my Grandmother for she taught me very early in my life to appreciate the art of playing cards. In Turkey, this is also important. My tour guides, and friends, and I spent the evening trading card games. I've found that I've missed playing cards. It really is a great way to spend the evening with friends.

Of course, leaving Bursa one can not miss the IKEA. It is conveniently located next to the bus station (otogar). So, yes, I did make a stop in there. :)

I've also had the privilege to attend a traditional Turkish wedding. Having never seen any wedding other than an American wedding, I was very curious to see the differences and similarities (if any). The wedding was not an event… it was a holiday. It started on Saturday and continued through Sunday night. It was a lot of fun. Although I was not able to attend Saturday evenings’ events, I was there for Sunday at the coiffeurs and then the ceremony. It was lovely. Music, dancing and family were all there. It was a wonderful day and I am so happy for the new couple as well as having the opportunity to share the day with them.

I will say this about Turkish culture, there is an overall air of love, well-being and fun. I don’t see these people as those that worry about the small things… instead they appreciate the little things. Each act is received with true appreciation, no matter the size. It is very enlightening to be among people who appreciate what’s really important, family and friends. Each day I spend in Turkey is a day that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Unexpected Pleasures

WOW!! It's July already! This year is just flying by! I can hardly believe I have been here in Turkey for almost four months. I can say that my Turkish has improved since my arrival... I can tell when Turks breath between words now... jk ... actually, I can understand much of what is being said. The language seems to be focused on verbs... now that I can recognize those, I'm doing fairly well.

The weather continues to get hotter... I'm starting to get used to it. What else can you do? Actually, I'm sporting a fierce tan - one not unlike those I used to work for in my youth. I have no desire to get darker but riding my bike and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible works against me there. No matter... too much to see and do!

My flat has become home. I have perde - curtains. I know, the first time in my life that I've hung curtains on my own... normally, I go without but it's necessary here. :) I've actually cooked in my apartment as well. Scary but true. Don't worry, it was only breakfast after all, I don't have a stove in my flat. I just have a hot plate (which is more than enough). ha ha

I've managed to travel, locally... I've made it to the Black Sea (Karpe) again, Gebze, and Degemendere. (spelling?) The Black Sea was lovely - I went swimming and hung out with some friends. The day was perfect, the sea was cool and the company, very nice.

In Gebze, I was able to join a "coming of age" celebration. It was a traditional celebration with music, dancing, family and fun! The music was traditional Turk Folk Music ... something that I've found here, many of the villages have area traditional dances ... everyone learns them and everyone, young and old, gets out and dances. Needless to say, I was dancing all night. It was wonderful.

One thing that I found really inspirational... belly dancing. That's right, the traditional belts with the "jingles" on them were found and the castinettes brought out. I even wore the belt and did my own belly dance! Evidently, I did it fairly well, I had money tucked into my belt ... by women. :) No hour workout in a gym could do more for you than a half hour of belly dancing! WOW!

Across the bay in Degemendere is a lovely, seaside town. The people are laid back with an air of "Carpe Diem". The food is very good and everyday is an outside market that sells wears from around the area. Many pieces of handmade jewelry can be found here, metals and leathers. For an afternoon of meandering and browsing, this is the perfect place to go. :)

Life remains great here in Turkey... I'm looking forward to the next opportunity to explore even more of Turkey ... I'm loving it, especially the dancing! Who knew???