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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.
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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!
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New destination --Bodrum! |
Your toes are sea green! Love it!
ReplyDeleteBodrum looks pretty horrible. I'm sure that will be a total sacrifice. lol.
So, I'm totally laughing about the people you talk to who get louder. That's funny, and so true.
On my journey, I went to Italy once, bought some shoes. The woman in the shop didn't speak English, I didn't speak Italian, so we decided on both speaking broken French, which was hysterical but somehow managed to get us through the purchase. I still remember that, 15 years later. Good times.
Isn't it kinda fun, having this lack of words and still trying to communicate with people? It gives the experience of talking to people a whole new feel when you can't take your words for granted, doesn't it? I always love that aspect of being someplace new. Plus, it weeds out the jerks really fast.
PS - Aaron got a deer this week! Check out my blog or FB for a photo. I'm going out tomorrow, last day of the season. So far, I haven't seen squat. Cross your fingers for me!
I'm so impressed by your use of Turkish. I've pretty much been sticking to "hello" in Hindi... looking into lessons soon! Keep practicing ;)
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