Random Musings

I just sent in my 2012 ballot from my living room in Tarsus, Turkey while still in my pajamas. How cool is that? Technology -- when it does what I want it to -- is pretty amazing.

Yesterday we went to Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park about a two hour drive. We also went to the Hittite Museum which was an open air museum. It reminded me of Konossos in Crete, Greece. Our final stop was the Kastabala Ruins. 


Notice Ataturk in the background?

While there we stopped at a rug making facility. It really wasn't a facility; it felt more like a home. All the structures were connected and within about 100 steps of each other. It was impressive to see where the yarn is dyed, the women weave, and the rugs are sold.  Lunch was also served. Çok lezzetlı! (very tasty)

Friday night a few people came over to my apartment, and we enjoyed the night on the rooftop. It was a great evening. A wedding must have been going on because we were able to hear booming music. Towards the end of the night, we were entertained by fireworks. Fabulous end to week three of school. Prior to everyone coming over, I went to my local market, and got some hazelnuts, dried apricots, deliciously salty green olives, and some tulumba (I think that is what is it called). On my way home I realized that I spoke Turkish from the time I left my apartment until I arrived home. Nice.

High school boys are high school boys -- no matter where they live. During passing between period seven and eight (last class of the day) on Friday afternoon, my tenth grade boys decided to eat or drink (it's a bit unclear) something extremely spicy. Needless-to-say, they weren't feeling very well. As this is happening, I was reminded of a time when this happened at Eaton High School last school year. Ahhh...the adventures of teaching high school.


So, when I go to post this, the font changes size and style. I can't seem to get the text to all be the same.  Hmm...guess I can only expect that technology is wagging its finger in my face saying "See, you're really not in charge.  I get to do what I want, when I want. " Hmmp... :O!

Finally...the Weekend!

New flip-flops!

This morning has been delightful. After a full 10 hours of sleep, I woke up refreshed and ready to explore. I rode my bide to venture into Tarsus, and I would consider it a fruitful trip: bought some cheapy flip-flops (had a conversation in Turkish); exchanged some USD (had a conversation in Turkish); bought some delicious baked goodies (had a conversation in Turkish);  stopped at school (shared said goodies with the guards in exchange for some tea and had a conversation in Turkish); met with Anissa, a fellow teacher who lives on campus, and decided we're pretty sure we're going to Bodrum for our October break (conversation in English); stopped at Migro, little grocery store, (conversation in Turkish), biked home! Whew! All before 12:30!

Don't get me wrong, my Turkish has a long way to go, but I feel fairly successful since I was able to accomplish my goals: flip-flops, money, breakfast, groceries. It's difficult not having a well of vocabulary to pull from, and it is interesting to see how people respond to my lack of language. Some say more in Turkish, so I simply nod, smile, shrug, spit out an "I don't know" move on. Some get louder as if I can't hear. Interesting tactic, yet ineffective. Some show off their limited English -- usually counting or "My name is..." This proves at least comical for both of us, and I know I have an understanding, receptive, helpful person. Finally, there is the person who knows I want to learn more and who tells me the Turkish words, points, and waits for me to repeat. I like the last two people.

New pedi!

Friday night was also great. I ended my first full week of teaching by meeting Suat Hanim (admin to the headmaster and extremely generous with her time) and Zamira (fellow teacher, neighbor, and new friend) to walk to get a manicure and a pedicure. Our first Turkish mani/pedi was fabulous, but even better was once Suat left us, we were on our own to navigate. The ladies at the salon were helpful as could be with suggestions for dinner; we both (Mira and I) wished we knew more Turkish, but we held our own. Looking forward to our next visit and conversation.

With freshly polished toes and fingers, we walked our way back to a greasy spoon for et tantuni (meat tantuni) and çıps (french frıes...of course with ketchup and mayonnaise). We had a delightful conversation wıth the owner with our broken Turkish and his "broken" English (far better than our Turkish). The evening could have only been better with a cold beer in hand!



New destination --Bodrum!

Tarsus Friends

Last week at school was work time. What exactly I'm supposed to be working on has been a bit of mystery, but I'm forging ahead with my normal get-ready-for-the-first-days-of-school routine. However on Friday, there seemed to be quite a frenzy from returning faculty. I felt like I was missing something, but I really don't know what exactly to expect; I figure if I can't get through the first week after 16 years of teaching, then there will be a bigger problem on Monday (tomorrow 10 Sept.). Wish me luck!

This morning after a delicous breakfast of pancakes, fruit, and some orange juice (potakall suyu), I biked to the local mall..oh yeah, here's the bike! Beauty, eh?

As most of you know, I don't regularly frequent the mall. I'm more of a thrift store gal, but I tell ya, there are some serious deals here in Turkey. There is a store called Kipa (said Keepa, like keep a secret) that reminds me of a super Target. I got quite a bit that was clearanced: dress for school (25 lira about $15), sandals (12.5 lira about $7). Best purchase but not at Kipa...brand new Nike tennis shoes for 67 lira...about $40. Not only good because they were a deal, but also I start tennis lessons tomorrow. Woohoo!

Yet, despite all this goodness, the best part of the day was on my bike trip home. It must be pepper (biber) season because I've seen people gathering outside their homes (ususally apartments in Tarsus) and seeding peppers. Not just a few peppers, but tons of peppers! Bags at least three feet tall full of peppers. Bags and bags of peppers! You can see there are actually two on the left in the picture. One is on the sidewalk and one is behind the two ladies.


Two sisters: the one on the right is Yaliz.
I'm not sure how to spell it.

I passed a family today -- right next to what I think is the neighborhood mosque -- and decided to stop and wish them "Kolay gel sin" ....may your work be light.

I asked if I could take some pictures in my ridiculously broken cavewomanish Turkish. Not only did they oblige,but they also tried to learn some English from my pocket phrase book. We talked for a bit ...me, again broken cave woman talk -- and I ended up joining in!

I stayed for awhile talking (um, yeah, at least trying!) and deseeding peppers, but I mostly listened and didn't understand. One of the younger girls ...probably middle school ...knew a little bit of English, and now the family wants me to practice English with her. At least I think that's what I got out of it!

 

It was an amazing experience. I felt extremely welcome; it was a nice way to get to know my neighborhood and to experience the kindness of the Turks. My impromptu meeting ended with a freshly brewed cup of çay (pronounced chai- it's tea, the natıonal drink of Turkey) which the sister on the left prepared. I have a feeling I'll be seeing them again.





Labor Day

I hope those of you in the States enjoyed Labor Day; I went to work. Labor Day in Turkey is May 1 and apparently a holiday with much history,  and it has only been recently celebrated again.

I must say I felt the last 24 hours have been quite fruitful: biked home from school yesterday (used a bike from the school), biked to school this morning (only was honked at once), ate İzmır grapes (delicious), asked the tech guy to install the printer on my laptop (successful), bought a bike at lunch (pink and purple -- pictures to follow), bought some olive oil (have no idea what the gentleman said to me -- smiled and nodded), observed exams being proctored (I'll have to do this next year), played some tennis at the Tarsus Tennis Club (nice outdoor clay courts), set up twice weekly tennis lessons with a fellow Tarsus teacher, ate left over salsa and refried beans...whew!

While I was busy, I felt like today I stepped out from the campus and started to get to know Tarsus and my community. There is still so much to learn; I'm sorry to keep repeating myself, but I'm still in awe of the learning. I swear my brain has grown in the last two weeks.

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update....Nothing insighful, but most of the day, I couldn't help but smile because I'm beginning to navigate things on my own... (well, I did take the translator with me for the bike purchase)...my learning is painfully slow and challenging, but I'm slowly gaining indepedence.

(Oh, and I learned how to insert a video into my blog! Sweet!)

Ahhh...Saturday!

You all are just getting your Saturday started to your long weekend. I'm just settling in to a quite evening with the AC cranked because it’s been ridiculously hot. I’m glad August is over in Turkey. I have not sweated so much in my entire life. (I actually had to look up the word ‘sweated’ because I didn’t know if it really was a word! It is.)

Walking outside my apartment results in immediately flat hair and a shine forehead...ugh. However, despite my aversion to 99 degrees and 1,000 percent humidity, I did venture out today. Four of us took the train to Mersin to get a few things at the mall. Sales abound as it’s back-to-school shopping time. Classes don’t start until September 10 here.

The walk to the train station in Tarsus took about 20 minutes; remember the 1,000 percent humitidy. Yeah, there won’t be any pictures of me until it cools off! :0  (There is more to the picture story, but perhaps for another post.)

 While the mall was good, and I did get a few sales (my new sandals were made in Turkey), my favorite part was coming back home and going to my local greengrocer and market.  By no means can I say my Turkish is even on a first grade level, I was able to say a few things and purchase the things on my list: karpuz, şeftali, domates, zeytin, ve kimyon (watermelon, peaches, tomatoes, olives, and cumin).



This is NOT my local greengrocer...This picture is from Istanbul.

Additionally, I was able to greet each person with a hello and good evening. The hard part comes when people start talking back to you. Ack! ;0 So much I don’t know, but not bad for my first venture out with the locals.