Friday 14 November 2008
Thursday 6 November 2008
Things I like about Turkey
I've been here for a week now and want to focus on the positive.
Weather
It's the 6th of November, and it's pleasantly warm - about 18C. I went out earlier in a short sleeved shirt, and was fine. It hasn't rained since I've got here, and central heating isn't necessary yet. Makes a nice change from England. I only went back for a week, and hated the cold. I really can't stand being cold. I grew up in a house without working central heating, and really hated the winters. So I'm really appreciating the climate here in Istanbul.
Food
I love Turkish food. I can buy fresh fruit and vegetables on every street corner cheaply. A delicious, local pomegranate costs less than 1 YTL (about 40p) compared to more than £1 in England. I live five minutes from the sea, and can buy all sorts of fresh fish direct from fishermen along the promenade. Street food in England consists of doughnuts (which admittedly are very nice when served warm), hot dogs and Mr Sizzle. Street food in Istanbul consists of corn on the cob, hot chestnuts, simit (sesame bread rings), fish sandwiches and chai (tea). I'm already eating better than I usually do at home. I hated the limited diet in Poland. It was mainly about red meat and strange parts of an animal, or peirogi. Nine times out of 10 I would feel bloated and sick after eating. I don't get that here.
Street life
Most people in Istanbul live in apartments and gardens are a rare luxury. As a result of this, the streets are always busy with people. In England, if you go out in the evening, you're often the only person walking, as cars whizz past. It doesn't always feel safe. Here though, it doesn't seem to matter what time you go out, there's always life. And cats. The cats here are very friendly - maybe it's because I'm the only person to give them any attention.
Weather
It's the 6th of November, and it's pleasantly warm - about 18C. I went out earlier in a short sleeved shirt, and was fine. It hasn't rained since I've got here, and central heating isn't necessary yet. Makes a nice change from England. I only went back for a week, and hated the cold. I really can't stand being cold. I grew up in a house without working central heating, and really hated the winters. So I'm really appreciating the climate here in Istanbul.
Food
I love Turkish food. I can buy fresh fruit and vegetables on every street corner cheaply. A delicious, local pomegranate costs less than 1 YTL (about 40p) compared to more than £1 in England. I live five minutes from the sea, and can buy all sorts of fresh fish direct from fishermen along the promenade. Street food in England consists of doughnuts (which admittedly are very nice when served warm), hot dogs and Mr Sizzle. Street food in Istanbul consists of corn on the cob, hot chestnuts, simit (sesame bread rings), fish sandwiches and chai (tea). I'm already eating better than I usually do at home. I hated the limited diet in Poland. It was mainly about red meat and strange parts of an animal, or peirogi. Nine times out of 10 I would feel bloated and sick after eating. I don't get that here.
Street life
Most people in Istanbul live in apartments and gardens are a rare luxury. As a result of this, the streets are always busy with people. In England, if you go out in the evening, you're often the only person walking, as cars whizz past. It doesn't always feel safe. Here though, it doesn't seem to matter what time you go out, there's always life. And cats. The cats here are very friendly - maybe it's because I'm the only person to give them any attention.
Tuesday 4 November 2008
I NEED TO LEARN TURKISH urgently!!
Today I went for a wander. Once it got dark, I took the minibus back from Kadikoy. Paid the driver with a 20, he didn't give me any change. I've been told already that you sometimes have to wait for change, but the drivers always remember and give it back. Started to get stressed as he seemed to have forgotten, or wasn't intending to give me my change.
I speak all of three words in Turkish and felt embarrassed to speak up on a really packed minibus and have everyone stare at me. Worked out how to say "my change" with the help of my phrase book. Muttered it to him, and he eventually thrust 8 lira at me. So either he thought I had paid with a 10, or was ripping me off. 10 YTL is about £4 and goes a long way here so there was no way I could let it go. EVERYONE was staring at me, I had to ask the whole minibus if anyone spoke English, as the driver was just ranting at me in Turkish. Eventually after acting out giving him a 20 and getting 8 back, people seemed to understand what had happened, and from what I could tell, were telling the driver off. He did give me the 10 back after much confusion and complaining. But I felt really embarrassed and flushed. I hate feeling helpless and not knowing any of the language.
I am supposed to be having Turkish lessons at the language school, but they need five students to go ahead with a class, and only have four at the moment.
Today I went for a wander. Once it got dark, I took the minibus back from Kadikoy. Paid the driver with a 20, he didn't give me any change. I've been told already that you sometimes have to wait for change, but the drivers always remember and give it back. Started to get stressed as he seemed to have forgotten, or wasn't intending to give me my change.
I speak all of three words in Turkish and felt embarrassed to speak up on a really packed minibus and have everyone stare at me. Worked out how to say "my change" with the help of my phrase book. Muttered it to him, and he eventually thrust 8 lira at me. So either he thought I had paid with a 10, or was ripping me off. 10 YTL is about £4 and goes a long way here so there was no way I could let it go. EVERYONE was staring at me, I had to ask the whole minibus if anyone spoke English, as the driver was just ranting at me in Turkish. Eventually after acting out giving him a 20 and getting 8 back, people seemed to understand what had happened, and from what I could tell, were telling the driver off. He did give me the 10 back after much confusion and complaining. But I felt really embarrassed and flushed. I hate feeling helpless and not knowing any of the language.
I am supposed to be having Turkish lessons at the language school, but they need five students to go ahead with a class, and only have four at the moment.
Sunday 2 November 2008
It's now November and I haven't written in here a great deal.
Well, I managed to finish the CELTA course in New York and stay sane while doing so. I got a B grade which I was very pleased with.
I stayed in New York for 10 days after the course ended and thoroughly enjoyed being a tourist. I did all the usual touristy things - Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, Chicago on Broadway - plus a dog show and much pizza at Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge.
I went back to England for a week and almost fainted at the prices and almost froze to death in the snow and sub zero temperatures. I had just got used to wearing a hat, scarf and gloves...until....
Three days ago I moved to Istanbul! I have a 9-month contract with English First on the Asian side of the city. I start teaching tomorrow so can't write too much as I really should be lesson planning.
So far I like it a lot here. I'm planning to start running in the mornings (maybe not EVERY morning but a few times a week). I live in a nice neighbourhood just a few blocks from the seaside and promenade.
Well, I managed to finish the CELTA course in New York and stay sane while doing so. I got a B grade which I was very pleased with.
I stayed in New York for 10 days after the course ended and thoroughly enjoyed being a tourist. I did all the usual touristy things - Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, Chicago on Broadway - plus a dog show and much pizza at Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge.
I went back to England for a week and almost fainted at the prices and almost froze to death in the snow and sub zero temperatures. I had just got used to wearing a hat, scarf and gloves...until....
Three days ago I moved to Istanbul! I have a 9-month contract with English First on the Asian side of the city. I start teaching tomorrow so can't write too much as I really should be lesson planning.
So far I like it a lot here. I'm planning to start running in the mornings (maybe not EVERY morning but a few times a week). I live in a nice neighbourhood just a few blocks from the seaside and promenade.
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