The other day it hit me: I basically in the place where civilization began. Here, on the border of Mesopotamia, is where the first cultures arose, the first cities were founded, the first languages established. I have been spending much of my free time poring over a guide book I bought before coming to Turkey - definitely a worthwhile investment. The book not only highlights tourist spots, but also tells a lot of the history of places all over Turkey. The more I read, the more I am intrigued. There is so much to see right at my fingertips - I only hope that I have the time and opportunity to go see everything!
At a different level, though, I am also looking at the wonders of my own city, a thoroughly modern place, as evidenced by the fact that my host sister took me to a Burger King today. I am loving city life! Although I have lived almost my whole life in urban areas, I have never lived truly in a city - in an apartment, with everything I need within walking distance, and everything I want accessible by public transportation. I cannot wait to be able to speak the language better, so that I can get to explore the city by myself.
I had heard quite a bit of discouraging information before coming to Adana - how hot it is, how it's not very pretty, how there's nothing to do - but so far, I have found it absolutely wonderful. The heat is, well, hot, but not much hotter than back home in Birmingham, and it'll cool down soon. Although it doesn't have the beauty of Istanbul, there is plenty to see, and the river that goes through the city is absolutely gorgeous. I've also found a lot to do - just walking around, exploring shops and cafes is a treat for me. I wonder what all I will discover throughout my next 9 and 1/2 months here!
Look forward to my next post tomorrow - it'll be all about the food!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Settling In
Good morning, Adana! I have just woken up to my first morning in my new room here in Adana. I was, if you can believe it, actually glad to leave the beach yesterday; I was ready to be here, at my new home, and to settle in - put my things away, acquaint myself with my home for the next nine and a half months.
I feel so luxurious as I lie here in bed typing - thank goodness for wireless internet! The apartment here is wonderful, though so different from my home back in Birmingham. We are on the 9th floor of an apartment building in the center of Adana. Out my window I can see dozens of other apartment buildings surrounding us, as well as tennis courts and basketball courts (which should be fun to use!), a school, and, of course, a giant picture of Ataturk and the Turkish flag hanging on the school building. No view of Turkey would be complete without that!
I had my first true Adana kebap last night when we arrived! I went with my family to a small restaurant just down the street, which was packed with people, as the daily Ramadan fasting had just ended. The kebap was absolutely delicious - I am definitely a fan of Turkish cuisine. Everything I've eaten here is so good!
Athough I am enjoying settling in here, we leave tomorrow to visit my host uncle in Kaysere, a city right in Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish). I am really looking foward to traveling there; Kapadoya is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous! It also has a very long and interesting history. Google it if you are curious. My büyük baba (grandfather) has told me that we will go on a hot air balloon ride over the area! I can't wait!
I will write more later, for it is breakfast time now, and I don't want to miss out on more delicious Turkish food!
I feel so luxurious as I lie here in bed typing - thank goodness for wireless internet! The apartment here is wonderful, though so different from my home back in Birmingham. We are on the 9th floor of an apartment building in the center of Adana. Out my window I can see dozens of other apartment buildings surrounding us, as well as tennis courts and basketball courts (which should be fun to use!), a school, and, of course, a giant picture of Ataturk and the Turkish flag hanging on the school building. No view of Turkey would be complete without that!
I had my first true Adana kebap last night when we arrived! I went with my family to a small restaurant just down the street, which was packed with people, as the daily Ramadan fasting had just ended. The kebap was absolutely delicious - I am definitely a fan of Turkish cuisine. Everything I've eaten here is so good!
Athough I am enjoying settling in here, we leave tomorrow to visit my host uncle in Kaysere, a city right in Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish). I am really looking foward to traveling there; Kapadoya is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous! It also has a very long and interesting history. Google it if you are curious. My büyük baba (grandfather) has told me that we will go on a hot air balloon ride over the area! I can't wait!
I will write more later, for it is breakfast time now, and I don't want to miss out on more delicious Turkish food!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Mersin
I am loving my new family - they are so nice and so wonderful. Right now I am spending time with them at the seaside at Mersin, a holiday city near Adana. I believe that the past few days have been some of the most relaxing of my life.
Here is my day in a nutshell:
- Wake up around 10 or 11
- Eat a huge and delicious breakfast of bread, honey, olives, Nutella, eggs, cheese, and Turkish tea.
- Walk to the beach.
- Swim in the Mediterranean.
- Nap in the sun.
- Eat an apple.
- Walk to the pool.
- Swim in the pool.
- Back to the house for dinner - always something good!
- Go for a walk with my host sister along the "sahil" - the walkway by the sea - maybe go to the internet cafe, get some ice cream, or meet up with some of her friends.
- Back to the house around midnight
- Repeat
It hits me sometimes how strange it is that it feels so normal being here- if that makes any sense!
We will stay here for another week or so, then we will visit my mother's brother in another city, and then we will head back to Adana. I'm sure this vacation will seem like a dream once school begins, I think on the 28th of September. I can't wait to have the language classes, though - I am still pretty lost when it comes to speaking Turkish. I am learning a few words at a time, and my host sister, Irem, is helping me a lot. It's interesting having this kind of language barrier, for really no one but my "aunt" speaks any English, so most of the time we communicate with an interesting mix of a baby's English, Turkish, and strange gestures. It's working so far, though!
Will keep you all updated with a much more interesting and better written post soon...
Here is my day in a nutshell:
- Wake up around 10 or 11
- Eat a huge and delicious breakfast of bread, honey, olives, Nutella, eggs, cheese, and Turkish tea.
- Walk to the beach.
- Swim in the Mediterranean.
- Nap in the sun.
- Eat an apple.
- Walk to the pool.
- Swim in the pool.
- Back to the house for dinner - always something good!
- Go for a walk with my host sister along the "sahil" - the walkway by the sea - maybe go to the internet cafe, get some ice cream, or meet up with some of her friends.
- Back to the house around midnight
- Repeat
It hits me sometimes how strange it is that it feels so normal being here- if that makes any sense!
We will stay here for another week or so, then we will visit my mother's brother in another city, and then we will head back to Adana. I'm sure this vacation will seem like a dream once school begins, I think on the 28th of September. I can't wait to have the language classes, though - I am still pretty lost when it comes to speaking Turkish. I am learning a few words at a time, and my host sister, Irem, is helping me a lot. It's interesting having this kind of language barrier, for really no one but my "aunt" speaks any English, so most of the time we communicate with an interesting mix of a baby's English, Turkish, and strange gestures. It's working so far, though!
Will keep you all updated with a much more interesting and better written post soon...
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