Moving Time...

I know I've only been here for two months (already!!) but I'm moving... okay, only across the city centre but I'm still moving to a new town. Currently, I am in Yahyakaptan (pronounced: Ya-Ya [like the sisterhood] Captain), it kind of reminds me of the Navy days, "aye aye Capt'n". :) It's about five kilometers (formally thought of as four, however anyone who knows me, knows I am not a reliable source for directions or distance. ha ha) away from the City Centre of Izmit. Now, I will be moving on about three or four kilometers on the other side of the City Centre to Guztepe (Goozed-te-pay). It means beautiful hill.

This is the view from my bedroom window.

My apartment is completely empty with bare walls and a lovely view of part of the city and the seaside. I am looking forward to making it my home over the next few months ... should be an interesting feat. :) Once I get something in my flat, I will post a couple of pictures. :)

For now, enjoy the view of outside the flat. I will be able to ride my bike directly into the City Centre or take the scenic route down by the seaside. How cool is that?

Some random Turk moments... I've had the opportunity to hang out and meet some really neat people. Imagine sitting at a restaurant and having someone approach you with the greeting, "You speak English?" This is not an extraordinary occurance here. I've met people from Holland, Finland and Texas just this past week.

I went to a sports pub to watch a football match (also known as soccer)

and was surprised to find myself sharing the place with "Kursh", the kedi(the cat). Evidently, this is not an unusual thing to have a "pub kitty" as a mascot. Kursh was a very large cat too. I'm not sure what they are feeding her but she was not your normal, average-sized house cat. In fact, she was a very well mannered, people oriented kitty. Made me miss mine at home.

I've discovered tattoos here! Yes, they have tattoos and piercings, just not as many as in the States. One of my students showed me to the establishment and I got my very first... henna tattoo. It's gorgeous - I designed it myself while in Praha last fall. The process of getting the tattoo was fairly easy. The artist was pretty good, also. I got my "anchor" put on my ankle. I like it but am glad it is not permanent. I don't know that I am ready for another permanent one, just yet and I think I want to get that done in Greece. That's another story all together. So, in a few more weeks, the henna will be gone and so will my tattoo.

The weather has officially turned... it's Spring - with lovely, warm days and brisk evenings. I am told that very soon, Summer will be here and it will be incredibly hot. Can't wait. My apartment is so high up, I will be getting the breeze from the sea. I'm thinking it will remind me of living in Italy which had the same circumstances. (No air conditioning). lol

On a final note, I'm going to be posting more often - many of you have expressed a want for this so ... I will try at least once a week. :) As always, I look forward to hearing from you - feel free to leave a comment or continue to email me... dmillerms@gmail.com