Some Random Thoughts....

Internet...

Who would think that having the internet (when you want it) could be such a pleasure?? Let me tell you ... ME!! I have gone more than two weeks without a steady connection to the "net" and I was about insane! However, thanks to my Turkish friends, I have internet as it is meant to be... at my beck and call! About time!! I love it!

Weather...

As the days get longer, the weather remains gorgeous. Thanks to the altitude of my apartment, I always have a lovely breeze. The sun is hot only when you are in it for long periods of time. It's always a beautiful day in Turkiye!

Summer Nights...

I was sitting the other night at the Seaside with some friends. It was so lovely... the sound of the water nearby, pleasant conversation in English and Turkish, laughing with new friends and watching the night lights of the city on the opposite shore ... it doesn't get much better than this. :) I would have never thought I would ever be enjoying life as I am. I'm so glad!!!

Exploration...

Yesterday, I found a new place to explore. I took the ferry across the bay to a little town on the shore. It is a quaint little town - very quiet, not a lot of traffic or horns, people walking and taking in the serenity of the beach. I spent some time walking, window shopping (browsing the outdoor market) and, of course, eating. It was a great way to spend my afternoon. I am looking forward to spending more time across the way and beyond. :)

And now, it's time for me to get some things ready for tonight... Have a great day!!

Summer has come!

More Adventures... Diane Style,

I haven't had much time of late to get anywhere but I finally made it to the Black Sea. I visited a number of small towns including Kandıra and Karpe. I ate french fries (of course) in a restaurant called "Karpe Diem" - thought that was appropriate considering the area.

The town of Karpe is right on the sea. It is dotted with quaint shoppes and restaurants, fishing boats and of course, people. However, I didn't see many "tourists". It's a place that if you aren't familiar with the area, you wouldn't go there. It's a must see though... Locals only area. :)

It took me three buses to get to Karpe but it was well worth the effort. The view was amazing, the water cool, clear and blue! The water was so inviting - you know I had to go swimming. I didn't have my bathing suit but that doesn't matter here!! Yes, I went swimming in my boy shorts and halter top. It actually covered more than the bikini on the girl laying on the beach. :) It was WONDERFUL to go swimming. I got a great tan... more of a tan (tan lines, see below... I think they will always be there.) I really enjoyed my day at the Black Sea - so much so that I can't wait to return!



Some ramblings for this week...
All hail - the sunshine! Yes, summer has arrived in full sunshine here in Izmit! It's gorgeous. I had already started my "farmer's tan" and now, it's in full ... tan lines at their best. I've often wondered - how come the tan lines show up so quickly and yet, it takes the rest of the summer to get rid of them (and I'm not completely certain, will I)!!??


With the sunshine, comes the heat and let me tell you ... it's hot! The other day it was 33 degrees Celcius! For North Americans, that's around 91 degrees Fahrenheit! It's only June, evidently in August it is normal to have the temperature reach 40 degrees C ın some places... quite honestly, I didn't do the conversion to F because I'm afraid it will be over 100. ha ha The interesting thing though about Turkey and the heat - some women still walk around completely covered, head to toe, scarfs and long sleeve shirts. I don't know how they do it. I couldn't. They even swim like that too! I would be afraid of drowning!

I went shopping at the Pazaar... ıt's hard to ignore when it's rıght under your kitchen wındow. I found myself walkıng the entıre length of the market ... you can buy anythıng from spıces and tomatoes to shoes and underwear! I thınk thıs ıs where the orıgınal ıdea for "one stop shoppıng" came from. Needless to say, sınce I don't cook (one thıng that hasn't changed!) I only got a few veggıes and trıed on some shoes ... ıt was great! I am lookıng forward to Frıdays now - so I can do more browsıng... Turkısh style.


Türkiye contınues to keep my ınterest and keep me on my toes! I'm contınuıng to learn the language and now, ıf people speak slowly, I can understand most of what they are sayıng. I work on my Turkısh every day and I am lookıng forward to when I can understand everythıng!


I wıll keep you posted ...