And just to keep things in balance, our new washing machine has somehow brought an infestation of bugs. My arachnophile friends Kim and Ken, have brought to my attention the existance of a Turkish cockroach. Despite having only ever seen cockroaches in the zoo, I'm inclined to believe that my bathroom is the new home to several hundred (maybe even thousand!) cockroach friends. Of course I'm exaggerating, but after watching little bugs scurry all over my bathroom floor and walls, it wouldn't matter if there were four or four thousand. All are equally creepy and gross. Maybe it's time to get a cat or a lizard. Or maybe a cockroach-eating human-friendly spider of some sort. We had a similar problem at the old apartment; I think they had made a nest in the wood by the door, because I would often see them creeping in or out of the wood doorstop. After a couple of floor-flooding showers I didn't see so many of them, but I also adopted a policy of only using the bathroom when completely necessary and waiting a minute or so after turning on the light, so they would know I was coming and would all appropriately hide. After coming to this arrangement, my only qualm with the bathroom at the old house was the lack of toilet. That, unfortunately, was not as easily amendable as turning on the light a minute before entering the room.
This week begins the hell that is the residence permit. Today, Tuesday, I'll be accompanying some friends to the police station to translate for them at their meetings with the "foreigner's desk". I'm actually rather concerned because no one has really received a straight answer on what is necessary. I'd hate to have to come back again and again every week just to find a new problem has popped up. Many of the other Erasmus students have already gone, with limited success. My personal appointment is on Thursday, so I'm trying my best to view this trip as dress rehersal. I've already been issued a residence permit, so I'm a little concerned that this will be a big problem. If one has already received a permit and is applying for another one, the police station wants a photocopy of all necessary pages as well as the original and the number. I, of course, have put the damn thing in a box somewhere in Colorado. Thus, I have neither the original, a photocopy, or the number. I've indicated that it has been lost on my paperwork, but I'm sincerely hoping it won't be a problem.
My Russian class is looking to be equally complicated. The class for which I'm registered, LAN 431 Advanced Russian, has only two students in it. Apparently the other student isn't an advanced Russian speaker. This leaves me and the teacher. The teacher, an Estonian with a strange accent, only speaks Russian and Turkish. Between the two of us there's enough knowledge to hold a relatively successful conversation, but not nearly enough for me to inform him of what, precisely, we have covered in the last year with Luc. He seems to think I'm somewhere in first year. Regardless, he doesn't seem too keen on holding a class for two students. He's asked me to attend the level 1 class. The very, very beginning class. Where they'll apparently be learning the alphabet for a month. I'm happy to come and help out, but where is MY class? Do I get to learn anything? I need the practice, I need the review. Maybe we can work something out. However, until then, the score remains Universe 1, Sara 0.
sorry for any typos in this post. I typed it this morning in notepad, but the blogspot update doesn't seem to recognize the imported text as wrong.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
riding in cars with boys
On Saturday, Jessi and I ventured to the tourist part of town to see Sultanahmet (the Blue Mosque) and Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia). With our spanking new museum cards, getting into the Ayasofya museum was super easy. It was nice to bypass the lines, for once!
It was Jessi's first time at visiting Ayasofya, so I was more than happy to wander around the museum while she took it all in. It is quite an amazing place, especially considering when it was built. Such an amazing piece of history! And it's really wonderful that it is still standing and functional. Just amazing. I've been several times, but I'm still blown away every time.
The trip to the mosque was a little rushed. It was nearing prayer time, so there quite a lot of people around. I opted to stay to the side and let Jessi do some exploring. I'm not really a big fan of ornate mosques like that. Sure, they're beautiful to look at! But I feel like that detracts from the purpose. I feel the same way about churches. I'm always more interested in looking around at the building than paying attention to whatever is being said in a service. Maybe it works for some people, but I'd rather have something simple than overly ornate.
After visiting the mosque, I decided I was going to search out the Grand Vezir tea house. Maybe two years ago, the Sheikha Habiba in Boulder mentioned that there was a Jerrahi tekke in Istanbul. She sent me very vague directions: go to the Grand Vezir and ask for Edip Amca. He'll show you or tell you where the tekke is. So for a long time I was curious about the location of this particular tea house. I'd never been able to find it, although I didn't spend an extraordinary amount of time looking. I mentioned to Kaan that I was looking for it and the tekke, but we never ended up going. So when Jessi and I were looking at the Egyptian Obelisk and I noticed the Grand Vezir tea house nearby, I was very excited. I told Jessi I needed to ask them something and ran across the road.
Excited and nervous, I asked about this gentleman. They told me to wait at the next door carpet place, that Edip Amca had just left. So Jessi and I waited. He had apparently gone to pray, and we were expected to wait for him. He didn't ever show up, which was slightly frustrating. However, we were introduced to another older gentleman, who entertained us for half an hour or so. His name was Erdogan Amca (if I remember correctly). He also goes to the tekke and will take me if I show up. He explained to us some symbolism in the Ottoman seal, the tugra. He told us of his love of carpets and of cars. Being some sort of mechanic or engineer, he had renovated a 1930 Mercedes and was still driving it! He took us out to show us the car; it was really remarkable. He said it was something like 6 meters long and had been running for 37 years. It was the sort of car I imagine Atatürk riding in.
(it's Jessi's photo!)
Anyhow, we mentioned to him that we were going to head back to Taksim to get some food and drink. Just as we're about to leave, he tells us to wait just one moment. After a couple of minutes, he comes back out and opens the doors for us. We eagerly climb into this beautiful car and off we go, three new friends in an amazing old car!
I was so incredibly thankful that Jessi was so patient. It was a long, tiring day. We were both grouchy and hungry. Waiting for a mystery gentleman in a strange carpet store for almost an hour did nothing to help our mood. But I'm really glad we stayed and chatted with Erdogan Amca, because it ended up being a really awesome thing, riding in this amazing car with a sweet old man. Even better, he told me that I'd just need to show up on Monday, and he would take me to the tekke. I'm not sure if I'll go today or not, but I'm really glad to finally have an opportunity to continue my study of Sufism.
It was Jessi's first time at visiting Ayasofya, so I was more than happy to wander around the museum while she took it all in. It is quite an amazing place, especially considering when it was built. Such an amazing piece of history! And it's really wonderful that it is still standing and functional. Just amazing. I've been several times, but I'm still blown away every time.
The trip to the mosque was a little rushed. It was nearing prayer time, so there quite a lot of people around. I opted to stay to the side and let Jessi do some exploring. I'm not really a big fan of ornate mosques like that. Sure, they're beautiful to look at! But I feel like that detracts from the purpose. I feel the same way about churches. I'm always more interested in looking around at the building than paying attention to whatever is being said in a service. Maybe it works for some people, but I'd rather have something simple than overly ornate.
After visiting the mosque, I decided I was going to search out the Grand Vezir tea house. Maybe two years ago, the Sheikha Habiba in Boulder mentioned that there was a Jerrahi tekke in Istanbul. She sent me very vague directions: go to the Grand Vezir and ask for Edip Amca. He'll show you or tell you where the tekke is. So for a long time I was curious about the location of this particular tea house. I'd never been able to find it, although I didn't spend an extraordinary amount of time looking. I mentioned to Kaan that I was looking for it and the tekke, but we never ended up going. So when Jessi and I were looking at the Egyptian Obelisk and I noticed the Grand Vezir tea house nearby, I was very excited. I told Jessi I needed to ask them something and ran across the road.
Excited and nervous, I asked about this gentleman. They told me to wait at the next door carpet place, that Edip Amca had just left. So Jessi and I waited. He had apparently gone to pray, and we were expected to wait for him. He didn't ever show up, which was slightly frustrating. However, we were introduced to another older gentleman, who entertained us for half an hour or so. His name was Erdogan Amca (if I remember correctly). He also goes to the tekke and will take me if I show up. He explained to us some symbolism in the Ottoman seal, the tugra. He told us of his love of carpets and of cars. Being some sort of mechanic or engineer, he had renovated a 1930 Mercedes and was still driving it! He took us out to show us the car; it was really remarkable. He said it was something like 6 meters long and had been running for 37 years. It was the sort of car I imagine Atatürk riding in.
(it's Jessi's photo!)Anyhow, we mentioned to him that we were going to head back to Taksim to get some food and drink. Just as we're about to leave, he tells us to wait just one moment. After a couple of minutes, he comes back out and opens the doors for us. We eagerly climb into this beautiful car and off we go, three new friends in an amazing old car!
I was so incredibly thankful that Jessi was so patient. It was a long, tiring day. We were both grouchy and hungry. Waiting for a mystery gentleman in a strange carpet store for almost an hour did nothing to help our mood. But I'm really glad we stayed and chatted with Erdogan Amca, because it ended up being a really awesome thing, riding in this amazing car with a sweet old man. Even better, he told me that I'd just need to show up on Monday, and he would take me to the tekke. I'm not sure if I'll go today or not, but I'm really glad to finally have an opportunity to continue my study of Sufism.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
sick for the holidays
This weekend was the end of Ramadan. In Turkey, it's celebrated by the three day Şeker Bayramı ("holiday of sweets"), in which people visit their loved ones and celebrate the end of the month of fasting. Most of the other exchange students took advantage of the 4 day weekend to go visit some other cities in Turkey. Jessi and I stayed in Istanbul, due to a lack of money. Kaan worked all weekend, so I didn't really have any desire to go anywhere else. It was a pretty low key weekend, highlighted only by my acquisition of a cold. I'm still feeling a little phelgmy, but otherwise alright. Kaan and I spend most of our free time blowing our noses and coughing like demons. It isn't pretty.
However, in light of being sick, I wrote out some tips to staying healthy while traveling. I don't think anyone should follow these as The Truth, but I think they've helped me recover rather quickly. I think they're good tips to help keep the body healthy and strong! You might still get sick, but these are good ways to minimize that risk.
Sara's Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling
1. Consult your doctor before your trip about any specific health concerns you may have. He or she might have some suggestions for things to take with you or short-term tricks for healthy travels. You might also want to ask about any necessary immunizations for the trip or just receive a basic check up before traveling. It might be good to check in with your doctor (or nutritionist, chiro, massage therapist, whatever!) well before your trip, to allow the most amount of time to deal with any hidden health issues he or she may uncover.
2. Pack a multi-vitamin. While it doesn't replace eating healthy meals, it's a good way to make sure your body can still function on a basic, cellular level.
3. Wash your hands. It's common sense! If you are concerned that you won't be able to find soap and water, bring some hand wipes. In Istanbul, nearly every cafe and restaurant has their own supply of wipes, so they're easy to come by here. It's also very easy to buy some from home and bring them along. Almost every drug store should have some kind of antibacterial wipe.
4. Bring vitamin C for the plane ride! I like Emergen C, but I think there are a couple other 'drink mix' type C packets that are available. Since Vitamin C is water soluble, the body will only absorb and use certain amounts at a time. By taking it in a drink mix, one is able to space out the intake of C, thus allowing the body to maximize its absorption. Since they often come in flavors, it's a nice alternative to water and soda. Also, vitamin C can help keep things flowing smoothly, which can be tough to do while traveling.
5. Eat your veggies. If you're noticing that you aren't getting your regular varied diet or are relying on high carb, high fat, high sugar type foods to get full, you might try grabbing a salad next time you're out. I'm going to guess that even in the farthest corners of the earth one can find a salad of some variety. Giving your body raw veggies will help keep you in balance and ensure that you're getting those 6-8 servings a day. Eating a lot of vegetables can help keep the immune system active, which is always helpful after enduring a 8+ hour plane/train/car ride. Be sure to wash your produce well, if you plan on cooking or snacking locally.
6. Bring food from home. This can be much easier to do on a car or train ride than on a plane trip, especially with the TSA restrictions. However, if you anticipate not being able to find a lot to eat at your destination, try to pack some protein bars or easily-accessible snacks. I find that Larabars are particularly great for this; they aren't too expensive, they're raw, and they tend to fill me up. Even better, they're not too bulky, so it's easy to pack a lot. I also find that I get pretty hungry on long plane rides, so I make sure to pack some extra bars in my carry-on just in case.
7. Pack appropriate clothing. Even if you're going to be staying in a hotel just down the street from the hottest club in Russia, don't forget to pack your jacket. Almost everything can be purchased at your destination, but it can get pricy. For wintertime travels, you might be smart to check out a nearby REI (or other similar outdoorsy store) before your trip. They might have some advice for layering; some fabrics will be very warm and bulky, while others will be lightweight. Summertime traveling is much easier to pack for, but do be sure to pack some light layers just in case. While staying warm won't necessarily prevent one from getting a cold, it certainly helps.
8. Be active. Some cities are very tourist friendly and will have buses and taxis readily available to whisk one away. Other cities will force tourists to walk to and from any destination. In many cities in the States, it's far easier to drive somewhere than to walk. Depending on where you visit, it can be tough to remember to stay active! Go for a walk through the nearby park or even just around the block. This is especially helpful in keeping your immune system strong and adjusting to a new time zone. Be reasonable, though; don't wander away from your hotel (or hostel, home, motel, whatever) without knowing how to get back. Be sure to tell a traveling companion or hotel worker where you're going and when you'll be back. If it's late in the day or early in the morning, try to take a buddy. Don't overexert yourself! The point isn't to train for a marathon, just to keep those colds at bay and keep the body healthy. That being said, however...
9. Don't be afraid to stay in. If you start to feel yucky, turn off the lights and sleep for a day. While it is a shame to not be able to see the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, it's more important to take care of yourself. Let your body rest. If you suspect that you might have picked up something serious, let your host know, be it a friend, family member, or hotel worker. They'll help you find out what the best course of action is or where the nearest hospital is.
10. If need be, don't be afraid to cancel your trip. It's definitely a bummer to miss out on a cool trip (especially when you pay all that money!), but it would be an even bigger disappointment if you, say, died or spent the duration of your trip in the hospital. Make sure you're up-to-date on what's going on in your destination. The U.S. State Department asks international travelers to register their trip. In return, they supply travelers with updates on any security or health concerns that might pop up in their destination. Another good resource is the World Health Organization's website. In light of recent epidemics, it can be good to know what's going on and what you can do.
That's all I could think of! There are probably many other lists of tips to stay healthy while traveling, but this is mine.
Since we didn't have school on Monday or Tuesday, it's been a pretty slow start of school. Maybe next week I'll be able to really feel like I'm in college again. We don't seem to have any books for the classes, so I'll see how that works out. I think for one class, the teacher will put together a collection of readings which will be available in the copy center. For another class, we'll download PDFs off of the internet. There are also three recommended books, but one is 17 lira, one is 35 lira, one is 68 lira. I don't know if I'll be buying all or any of them!
I have no other news. We're slowly getting things together for the apartment. Photos are coming, I promise!
However, in light of being sick, I wrote out some tips to staying healthy while traveling. I don't think anyone should follow these as The Truth, but I think they've helped me recover rather quickly. I think they're good tips to help keep the body healthy and strong! You might still get sick, but these are good ways to minimize that risk.
Sara's Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling
1. Consult your doctor before your trip about any specific health concerns you may have. He or she might have some suggestions for things to take with you or short-term tricks for healthy travels. You might also want to ask about any necessary immunizations for the trip or just receive a basic check up before traveling. It might be good to check in with your doctor (or nutritionist, chiro, massage therapist, whatever!) well before your trip, to allow the most amount of time to deal with any hidden health issues he or she may uncover.
2. Pack a multi-vitamin. While it doesn't replace eating healthy meals, it's a good way to make sure your body can still function on a basic, cellular level.
3. Wash your hands. It's common sense! If you are concerned that you won't be able to find soap and water, bring some hand wipes. In Istanbul, nearly every cafe and restaurant has their own supply of wipes, so they're easy to come by here. It's also very easy to buy some from home and bring them along. Almost every drug store should have some kind of antibacterial wipe.
4. Bring vitamin C for the plane ride! I like Emergen C, but I think there are a couple other 'drink mix' type C packets that are available. Since Vitamin C is water soluble, the body will only absorb and use certain amounts at a time. By taking it in a drink mix, one is able to space out the intake of C, thus allowing the body to maximize its absorption. Since they often come in flavors, it's a nice alternative to water and soda. Also, vitamin C can help keep things flowing smoothly, which can be tough to do while traveling.
5. Eat your veggies. If you're noticing that you aren't getting your regular varied diet or are relying on high carb, high fat, high sugar type foods to get full, you might try grabbing a salad next time you're out. I'm going to guess that even in the farthest corners of the earth one can find a salad of some variety. Giving your body raw veggies will help keep you in balance and ensure that you're getting those 6-8 servings a day. Eating a lot of vegetables can help keep the immune system active, which is always helpful after enduring a 8+ hour plane/train/car ride. Be sure to wash your produce well, if you plan on cooking or snacking locally.
6. Bring food from home. This can be much easier to do on a car or train ride than on a plane trip, especially with the TSA restrictions. However, if you anticipate not being able to find a lot to eat at your destination, try to pack some protein bars or easily-accessible snacks. I find that Larabars are particularly great for this; they aren't too expensive, they're raw, and they tend to fill me up. Even better, they're not too bulky, so it's easy to pack a lot. I also find that I get pretty hungry on long plane rides, so I make sure to pack some extra bars in my carry-on just in case.
7. Pack appropriate clothing. Even if you're going to be staying in a hotel just down the street from the hottest club in Russia, don't forget to pack your jacket. Almost everything can be purchased at your destination, but it can get pricy. For wintertime travels, you might be smart to check out a nearby REI (or other similar outdoorsy store) before your trip. They might have some advice for layering; some fabrics will be very warm and bulky, while others will be lightweight. Summertime traveling is much easier to pack for, but do be sure to pack some light layers just in case. While staying warm won't necessarily prevent one from getting a cold, it certainly helps.
8. Be active. Some cities are very tourist friendly and will have buses and taxis readily available to whisk one away. Other cities will force tourists to walk to and from any destination. In many cities in the States, it's far easier to drive somewhere than to walk. Depending on where you visit, it can be tough to remember to stay active! Go for a walk through the nearby park or even just around the block. This is especially helpful in keeping your immune system strong and adjusting to a new time zone. Be reasonable, though; don't wander away from your hotel (or hostel, home, motel, whatever) without knowing how to get back. Be sure to tell a traveling companion or hotel worker where you're going and when you'll be back. If it's late in the day or early in the morning, try to take a buddy. Don't overexert yourself! The point isn't to train for a marathon, just to keep those colds at bay and keep the body healthy. That being said, however...
9. Don't be afraid to stay in. If you start to feel yucky, turn off the lights and sleep for a day. While it is a shame to not be able to see the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, it's more important to take care of yourself. Let your body rest. If you suspect that you might have picked up something serious, let your host know, be it a friend, family member, or hotel worker. They'll help you find out what the best course of action is or where the nearest hospital is.
10. If need be, don't be afraid to cancel your trip. It's definitely a bummer to miss out on a cool trip (especially when you pay all that money!), but it would be an even bigger disappointment if you, say, died or spent the duration of your trip in the hospital. Make sure you're up-to-date on what's going on in your destination. The U.S. State Department asks international travelers to register their trip. In return, they supply travelers with updates on any security or health concerns that might pop up in their destination. Another good resource is the World Health Organization's website. In light of recent epidemics, it can be good to know what's going on and what you can do.
That's all I could think of! There are probably many other lists of tips to stay healthy while traveling, but this is mine.
Since we didn't have school on Monday or Tuesday, it's been a pretty slow start of school. Maybe next week I'll be able to really feel like I'm in college again. We don't seem to have any books for the classes, so I'll see how that works out. I think for one class, the teacher will put together a collection of readings which will be available in the copy center. For another class, we'll download PDFs off of the internet. There are also three recommended books, but one is 17 lira, one is 35 lira, one is 68 lira. I don't know if I'll be buying all or any of them!
I have no other news. We're slowly getting things together for the apartment. Photos are coming, I promise!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
the mysteries of college and a REALLY long entry
Classes "officially" started on Monday. My first class (Advanced Russian) was Monday morning at 10. Being the punctual American student that I am, I was up by 9 and out the door by 930. Since the school is only about a five minute walk from my house, leaving early is only slightly unnecessary. I arrived early enough to have some simit for breakfast and acquaint myself with the general layout of the building. At about 950 I found my classroom and waited outside. No other students were milling around, so I started to get a little concerned. The hour came and passed; no one showed up. I waited almost half an hour before leaving. Maybe the professor had sent out an email declaring class canceled for the day? I tried to check my email at the computer lab, only to find it locked up. Defeated, I returned home and was determined to try again on Tuesday. I spoke to an employee in the International Office who seemed to think this was normal; since it was the first day of school, maybe people were still coming back from holiday or were busy moving.
What a stark difference from the States! The first day of school isn't necessarily "important" as far as receiving information, but it is typically attended by all. We meet teachers on the first day and receive the syllabuses for all the classes. It's usually the earliest opportunity to determine whether or not you'll /like/ the class or the teacher. Apparently here, the first day of school isn't nearly as important! What a strange idea.
Since the campus wasn't very far from my house, I didn't feel particularly put off by the lack of class. I decided that the next day, Tuesday, would be far more successful. So, in a similar fashion, I woke up early on Tuesday morning. I ate my simit and sat outside my classroom waiting for any sign of life. Again, the hour came and went; still, no one showed up. I didn't wait half an hour this time! After about fifteen minutes had passed, I declared my class "empty" and left. I had intended to get some things done while still on the campus, but none of the teachers I needed to talk to were around, the computer lab was full, and the library wouldn't let me use the computers there. Again, defeated, I returned home.
Normally, a student would be rejoicing at having two extra days of summer! Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed my empty days. The only problem is this: I'm terrified that this Russian class will be far beyond my current language level. I was hoping to take a 'test drive' on the first two days. If it was too difficult, I'd be able to drop it and try to take a different level or a different class altogether. Next week is the add/drop week, but Monday and Tuesday are both holidays. So, I won't have the class at all before add/drop, and I won't know if I'll be successful in the class. Most likely I'll be fine, but I don't want to paint myself into a corner with no chance of escape!
Wednesday was a much more successful school day; I had two classes, and both were attended by the students AND the teachers! My morning class, Turkish language, will most likely be my easiest class. Most of the students have only had a little bit of Turkish. Apparently Erasmus provided a month-long intensive language course, so the majority of the class is too advanced for the beginning section but well below my own level. It will be a great chance to brush up on my grammar, so I'm very excited. I think the teacher might be a great resource if I run into trouble in my Russian class. Not only is she a language teacher, but she knows Turkish and English well enough to help me with both.
The majority of the class is from Germany. I shouldn't be surprised by that, I suppose. Turkey and Germany have a relationship similar to that of Mexico (or, I suppose, much of the Latin world) and the States. Just as many students in the States take Spanish and vacation in Mexico (at least in Colorado!), many Germans take Turkish and visit Turkey. I'm told that even in Germany, Turks are regarded in a similar light to Latino/a immigrants in the States. I can't say for sure whether that's the truth, but I hope it isn't. I think immigrants in all parts of the world are receiving an unfair knee-jerk reaction by nationalist populations. What do I know, though? It's just my impression.
But anyway, back to classes. My Turkish class is mostly German, with one Czech and one Dane and myself. The three of us mostly stick together; we were lucky enough to bump into each other a few times around school and around the city, so we're pretty well acquainted. It's nice to have some almost-friends!
Jessi, the other American student, has been really a great friend lately. We have two classes together. It's nice because I can bounce ideas off of her without having to think about what words I use and how quickly or slowly I speak. We have Balkan Politics and Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy together. Yesterday was the Balkan Politics class. At this point I'm so tired of writing about school, so I won't go into much detail about it. It will be a lot of reading, but we only have it once a week. The teacher is excellent, and while the class is mostly foreigners, I'm excited to have some Turks in it as well. Even after just the first day, my understanding of nationality versus ethnicity has really evolved. It's really a line of thought that I'm exploring on my own, but listening to some people discuss their ethnic background in relation to their current nationality was really interesting.
I can't believe I'm writing this much. It's absurd! But I haven't had my laptop with me for the last few days, and I apparently have a lot to say.
Yesterday, Kaan took the day off and moved us into the new house. I can't wait to get some pictures of it! It's so big. Something like it in the States would easily go for $600 or $700US. We're getting it for 550TL, which ends up being about $375US. Absolutely unbelievable. The street is pretty quiet, except at night, when the teenagers all come out to shout at our window. It's close enough to the main road that coming and going is easy, but far enough away that we don't have a lot of traffic noise. There is a mosque practically next door, which makes sleeping a little difficult (but at 5am, it's alright. 5am is one of those times that you practically can't NOT sleep, no matter what you wake up for). There's a beautiful old church right across the intersection. I don't know if it is 'working' exactly, but it's nice to look at. The building itself is pretty old. There's a tag near the door for an electric company with Arabic script/numbers, and an address for Constantinople. I'll take a picture of it; it's really neat. The apartment has these huge ceilings which will make changing the light bulbs very difficult. We had quite an adventure trying to hang the curtains. We ended up having to put a 5' ladder on the couch in order to reach the curtain track. I was terrified, but Kaan, being the little macho man he is, fearlessly scaled our creation and got our curtains hung. I'm not a big fan of curtains, but in a city like Istanbul, where everyone is living so close to each other, they are completely necessary.
Things with Kaan are going pretty well. He works a lot, so I spend a lot of my time sitting at his cafe. Generally it's quiet and relaxed, so I don't mind passing the day here. I often read or surf the net. Plus, I get all the tea I can drink for free! You can't beat that. I wish he worked a little less, but there isn't much I can do about that.
His day starts around 8 or 830, when he comes to open the cafe. He works alone until around 12, when the only female employee, Gül, shows up. At 1, another worker comes. The three of them work until around 5, when the next guy arrives. Kaan gets off at 8 or 830--a 12 hour day. He works for an abysmally small amount of money but seems to enjoy his work enough to not complain. I'm always concerned how we're going to make it on his small income, but I trust that things will work out. The fights we have are about his smoking and my wanting to pay for everything. I find it amusing that most couples fight about not having any money, while we have some money and fight about who gets to pay for things. I end up winning most of the time, but I know it pushes his buttons that I'm the one with extra money and he can't provide for me. It's another thing I don't really understand; I chalk it up to being not only an American, but an intelligent and independent woman. I don't feel pressure to adhere to the stereotypical gender roles of a relationship! But since Kaan and I are different people, living in different societies, and working off of different backgrounds and experiences, I don't expect that he will so easily shed the standards of society. Oh, intercultural romance.
Today, Thursday, I have absolutely no plans. I'm supposed to be settling things into the house, unpacking and so on. I really don't want to though! I'd rather sit around and type novels to my audience of 7. Perhaps later I'll be productive.
What a stark difference from the States! The first day of school isn't necessarily "important" as far as receiving information, but it is typically attended by all. We meet teachers on the first day and receive the syllabuses for all the classes. It's usually the earliest opportunity to determine whether or not you'll /like/ the class or the teacher. Apparently here, the first day of school isn't nearly as important! What a strange idea.
Since the campus wasn't very far from my house, I didn't feel particularly put off by the lack of class. I decided that the next day, Tuesday, would be far more successful. So, in a similar fashion, I woke up early on Tuesday morning. I ate my simit and sat outside my classroom waiting for any sign of life. Again, the hour came and went; still, no one showed up. I didn't wait half an hour this time! After about fifteen minutes had passed, I declared my class "empty" and left. I had intended to get some things done while still on the campus, but none of the teachers I needed to talk to were around, the computer lab was full, and the library wouldn't let me use the computers there. Again, defeated, I returned home.
Normally, a student would be rejoicing at having two extra days of summer! Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed my empty days. The only problem is this: I'm terrified that this Russian class will be far beyond my current language level. I was hoping to take a 'test drive' on the first two days. If it was too difficult, I'd be able to drop it and try to take a different level or a different class altogether. Next week is the add/drop week, but Monday and Tuesday are both holidays. So, I won't have the class at all before add/drop, and I won't know if I'll be successful in the class. Most likely I'll be fine, but I don't want to paint myself into a corner with no chance of escape!
Wednesday was a much more successful school day; I had two classes, and both were attended by the students AND the teachers! My morning class, Turkish language, will most likely be my easiest class. Most of the students have only had a little bit of Turkish. Apparently Erasmus provided a month-long intensive language course, so the majority of the class is too advanced for the beginning section but well below my own level. It will be a great chance to brush up on my grammar, so I'm very excited. I think the teacher might be a great resource if I run into trouble in my Russian class. Not only is she a language teacher, but she knows Turkish and English well enough to help me with both.
The majority of the class is from Germany. I shouldn't be surprised by that, I suppose. Turkey and Germany have a relationship similar to that of Mexico (or, I suppose, much of the Latin world) and the States. Just as many students in the States take Spanish and vacation in Mexico (at least in Colorado!), many Germans take Turkish and visit Turkey. I'm told that even in Germany, Turks are regarded in a similar light to Latino/a immigrants in the States. I can't say for sure whether that's the truth, but I hope it isn't. I think immigrants in all parts of the world are receiving an unfair knee-jerk reaction by nationalist populations. What do I know, though? It's just my impression.
But anyway, back to classes. My Turkish class is mostly German, with one Czech and one Dane and myself. The three of us mostly stick together; we were lucky enough to bump into each other a few times around school and around the city, so we're pretty well acquainted. It's nice to have some almost-friends!
Jessi, the other American student, has been really a great friend lately. We have two classes together. It's nice because I can bounce ideas off of her without having to think about what words I use and how quickly or slowly I speak. We have Balkan Politics and Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy together. Yesterday was the Balkan Politics class. At this point I'm so tired of writing about school, so I won't go into much detail about it. It will be a lot of reading, but we only have it once a week. The teacher is excellent, and while the class is mostly foreigners, I'm excited to have some Turks in it as well. Even after just the first day, my understanding of nationality versus ethnicity has really evolved. It's really a line of thought that I'm exploring on my own, but listening to some people discuss their ethnic background in relation to their current nationality was really interesting.
I can't believe I'm writing this much. It's absurd! But I haven't had my laptop with me for the last few days, and I apparently have a lot to say.
Yesterday, Kaan took the day off and moved us into the new house. I can't wait to get some pictures of it! It's so big. Something like it in the States would easily go for $600 or $700US. We're getting it for 550TL, which ends up being about $375US. Absolutely unbelievable. The street is pretty quiet, except at night, when the teenagers all come out to shout at our window. It's close enough to the main road that coming and going is easy, but far enough away that we don't have a lot of traffic noise. There is a mosque practically next door, which makes sleeping a little difficult (but at 5am, it's alright. 5am is one of those times that you practically can't NOT sleep, no matter what you wake up for). There's a beautiful old church right across the intersection. I don't know if it is 'working' exactly, but it's nice to look at. The building itself is pretty old. There's a tag near the door for an electric company with Arabic script/numbers, and an address for Constantinople. I'll take a picture of it; it's really neat. The apartment has these huge ceilings which will make changing the light bulbs very difficult. We had quite an adventure trying to hang the curtains. We ended up having to put a 5' ladder on the couch in order to reach the curtain track. I was terrified, but Kaan, being the little macho man he is, fearlessly scaled our creation and got our curtains hung. I'm not a big fan of curtains, but in a city like Istanbul, where everyone is living so close to each other, they are completely necessary.
Things with Kaan are going pretty well. He works a lot, so I spend a lot of my time sitting at his cafe. Generally it's quiet and relaxed, so I don't mind passing the day here. I often read or surf the net. Plus, I get all the tea I can drink for free! You can't beat that. I wish he worked a little less, but there isn't much I can do about that.
His day starts around 8 or 830, when he comes to open the cafe. He works alone until around 12, when the only female employee, Gül, shows up. At 1, another worker comes. The three of them work until around 5, when the next guy arrives. Kaan gets off at 8 or 830--a 12 hour day. He works for an abysmally small amount of money but seems to enjoy his work enough to not complain. I'm always concerned how we're going to make it on his small income, but I trust that things will work out. The fights we have are about his smoking and my wanting to pay for everything. I find it amusing that most couples fight about not having any money, while we have some money and fight about who gets to pay for things. I end up winning most of the time, but I know it pushes his buttons that I'm the one with extra money and he can't provide for me. It's another thing I don't really understand; I chalk it up to being not only an American, but an intelligent and independent woman. I don't feel pressure to adhere to the stereotypical gender roles of a relationship! But since Kaan and I are different people, living in different societies, and working off of different backgrounds and experiences, I don't expect that he will so easily shed the standards of society. Oh, intercultural romance.
Today, Thursday, I have absolutely no plans. I'm supposed to be settling things into the house, unpacking and so on. I really don't want to though! I'd rather sit around and type novels to my audience of 7. Perhaps later I'll be productive.
Friday, September 11, 2009
registration? check!
Well! After a good long day of bureaucracy, I'm a registered student at Bilgi University, AND I have classes.
My schedule is fairly light; I decided to only take four classes this term. I've never really taken a light course load. My excuse is I want to ease into the year. I /might/ consider adding another class next week, during the add/drop period. We'll see. So far, I'm taking Turkish for Foreigners 2, which might be way too easy for me; Advanced Russian, which might be way too hard for me, given that its taught in Turkish; Balkan Politics; and Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy (something like that). I was thinking of taking the History of Istanbul class. I might still: if Russian is too hard for me, I can take this class in its place.
Monday I have two hours of Russian in the morning, from 10-12. Tuesday I have Russian from 9-11. Wednesday I have Turkish from 10-12, then Balkan Politics from 2-5. Thursday is empty (hurrah!), but Friday I have Turkish from 10-12 and Turkish Politics/Foreign Policy from 1-4. There are a couple other classes I was looking at which I could add if I desired; however, I am really looking forward to having an empty schedule. We'll see how things work out.
Today I had to go to one of the other campuses. My school has three, two of which I've seen. My classes will be at the Dolapdere campus, which is excellent because my house is close to it. Kustepe isn't so far from us, but it does seem to be in the other direction. The third location, santralIstanbul, is a complete mystery to me. I hear it's most like a stereotypical American campus, with a lot of open areas and buildings. It is where there used to be a power plant, so they have a little museum dedicated to energy production and things. I would like to see that campus eventually. For the time being, however, I have no desire to go down there just to look around.
So I'll attend my Russian class on Monday. I sincerely hope it isn't too difficult for me. This weekend I think we're going to be moving. I hope so anyway! I've heard that there isn't any electricity in the apartment for the moment; it hasn't yet been opened. Kaan was supposed to go do that today, but I think there was a problem. We'll see. I'm mostly content for the time being, but I do hope we get a chance to move before school starts (not like I have a very busy schedule!). I still need to get a desk/table to do homework on.
Cameron sent me his address, so I'll probably begin to prepare letters and gifties. If any of you would like anything, feel free to comment below with an address or send them to my email address at kaptan_sara at hotmail dot com.
My schedule is fairly light; I decided to only take four classes this term. I've never really taken a light course load. My excuse is I want to ease into the year. I /might/ consider adding another class next week, during the add/drop period. We'll see. So far, I'm taking Turkish for Foreigners 2, which might be way too easy for me; Advanced Russian, which might be way too hard for me, given that its taught in Turkish; Balkan Politics; and Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy (something like that). I was thinking of taking the History of Istanbul class. I might still: if Russian is too hard for me, I can take this class in its place.
Monday I have two hours of Russian in the morning, from 10-12. Tuesday I have Russian from 9-11. Wednesday I have Turkish from 10-12, then Balkan Politics from 2-5. Thursday is empty (hurrah!), but Friday I have Turkish from 10-12 and Turkish Politics/Foreign Policy from 1-4. There are a couple other classes I was looking at which I could add if I desired; however, I am really looking forward to having an empty schedule. We'll see how things work out.
Today I had to go to one of the other campuses. My school has three, two of which I've seen. My classes will be at the Dolapdere campus, which is excellent because my house is close to it. Kustepe isn't so far from us, but it does seem to be in the other direction. The third location, santralIstanbul, is a complete mystery to me. I hear it's most like a stereotypical American campus, with a lot of open areas and buildings. It is where there used to be a power plant, so they have a little museum dedicated to energy production and things. I would like to see that campus eventually. For the time being, however, I have no desire to go down there just to look around.
So I'll attend my Russian class on Monday. I sincerely hope it isn't too difficult for me. This weekend I think we're going to be moving. I hope so anyway! I've heard that there isn't any electricity in the apartment for the moment; it hasn't yet been opened. Kaan was supposed to go do that today, but I think there was a problem. We'll see. I'm mostly content for the time being, but I do hope we get a chance to move before school starts (not like I have a very busy schedule!). I still need to get a desk/table to do homework on.
Cameron sent me his address, so I'll probably begin to prepare letters and gifties. If any of you would like anything, feel free to comment below with an address or send them to my email address at kaptan_sara at hotmail dot com.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sorry about the punctuation!
All I want to say is this:
Im very excited for school to start. It will be so nice to be able to update my blog from my own laptop, instead of going to the internet cafes to update. It will be nice to have something to do during the day! I love being lazy, but Ive almost had enough.
I go to register on Friday. Then classes start on Monday! Eep!
Kaan and I are moving into a new place almost immediately. We found a very cute 'little' 3 bedroom apartment for a pretty good price. We might even rent out a room since we have so many. Im very excited, though its been tremendously stressful trying to collect all the money necessary for the deposit.
So anyway, it looks like things are finally getting going.
Im very excited for school to start. It will be so nice to be able to update my blog from my own laptop, instead of going to the internet cafes to update. It will be nice to have something to do during the day! I love being lazy, but Ive almost had enough.
I go to register on Friday. Then classes start on Monday! Eep!
Kaan and I are moving into a new place almost immediately. We found a very cute 'little' 3 bedroom apartment for a pretty good price. We might even rent out a room since we have so many. Im very excited, though its been tremendously stressful trying to collect all the money necessary for the deposit.
So anyway, it looks like things are finally getting going.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
So I arrived safely in Istanbul a number of days ago. Kaan picked me up from the airport with my two HUGE suitcases (I think both were around 50lbs each (close to 22 or 23 kilos. The scale at the airport wasn't properly zeroed so I got away with being just over the weight limit on one bag). Together we made our way back to the apartment. I was shocked when I first walked in--it's tiny! I'll try to get some pictures later. We might be moving, so I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'll try to describe it.
We have three main rooms--a bedroom and two salon type rooms. The room in the center of the apartment has access to the bathroom and kitchen. Neither are very big; the kitchen could fit four people standing front-to-back. There is hardly any counter space. I would say one could maybe fit a microwave on the open counter. We have a sink that doesn't have much water pressure and a refrigerator in the living room. It isn't so bad, because I don't need much room. Now that we've purchased a single gas powered stove top (the gas container is about a two-gallon jug size and the burner is standard sized), I feel more comfortable with the kitchen. It's certainly workable.. but the bathroom? We have a six foot wide, 2.5 foot deep bathroom. It's absolutely tiny! And there isn't an actual toilet, just a hole in the ground. Our shower head is between the sink (approx. the size of my laptop's keyboard) and the toilet, and it points almost directly toward the door. Also, I'm pretty sure there are baby cockroaches living in the bathroom. It's pretty awful!
We do have access to a small communal courtyard. It's very cute! But unfortunately, I think the neighbors use it as a workplace during the day, so it's very noisy in the morning. I'm really very satisfied with the place except for the bathroom/bugs. The neighborhood seems to be a bit poorer, which doesn't bother me. We live with a mix of poorer Turks and Kurds, which is interesting. Lots of different things to hear walking down the street! I haven't met anyone yet, but I'm sure I'm quite a sight in that part of town. Some of the children shout "hi" to me as I pass. A foreigner in their neighborhood is bound to cause a stir. Add in my extremely pale skin and long dreadlocks, I stick out like a sore thumb.
As I said, Kaan and I have been thinking about moving. We've been halfheartedly searching for a nearby, inexpensive, slightly nicer apartment. I'm set on having an actual toilet, and he's set on having multiple rooms. This presents a slight problem, as most of the inexpensive multi-roomed rentals nearby are either out of our price range, don't have a Western toilet, or won't rent to an unmarried couple. I'm content to help pay rent to have my damned toilet, but he seems reluctant to do that (oh, masculinity!). Apparently, if we find a place through a rental office, we have to pay a month's worth of rent to the agent as commission. This is making things a little difficult on top of it all.. Coming up with three months of rent on a limited salary will certainly be a pitfall to moving.
My friend from Denver has safely arrived in Istanbul and has settled into the dorms. I haven't yet met up with her. We could have met up today, but I am only able to check my email at Kaan's cafe and didn't get her message in time. We might be able to meet up tomorrow; otherwise, I'll see her at the Erasmus orientation on Tuesday.
Mostly I've been sitting around at Kaan's cafe during the day. I don't have much desire to do any shopping; since he works all day, I'm left alone for the majority of the week. As a result, I tend to just hang around his cafe. I really hate doing that, but until I make friends/meet up with some of my old friends, I'd rather be around people than not.
So, things have been sort of slow getting started. Kaan works all the time, and our apartment leaves a lot to be desired. My goals in the next week are as follows:
-buy a better outlet adapter so that I can use my computer at home
-locate a better place to live!
-meet up with my friends so I don't feel like such a burden at the cafe
-learn more about my classes and school situation.
I hope these are reasonable goals.
My sister and I did a lot of filming before I left. I'll try to edit and upload it soon! For my Turkish readers, how do I bypass the youtube block?!
I haven't been fasting here. I was traveling for two days, and the remaining 3 we haven't had enough food at home to be able to safely fast. I hope to soon, however!
Kaan only has half an hour left at work, so I suppose I'll pack up. I'm eager to leave.
More soon!
We have three main rooms--a bedroom and two salon type rooms. The room in the center of the apartment has access to the bathroom and kitchen. Neither are very big; the kitchen could fit four people standing front-to-back. There is hardly any counter space. I would say one could maybe fit a microwave on the open counter. We have a sink that doesn't have much water pressure and a refrigerator in the living room. It isn't so bad, because I don't need much room. Now that we've purchased a single gas powered stove top (the gas container is about a two-gallon jug size and the burner is standard sized), I feel more comfortable with the kitchen. It's certainly workable.. but the bathroom? We have a six foot wide, 2.5 foot deep bathroom. It's absolutely tiny! And there isn't an actual toilet, just a hole in the ground. Our shower head is between the sink (approx. the size of my laptop's keyboard) and the toilet, and it points almost directly toward the door. Also, I'm pretty sure there are baby cockroaches living in the bathroom. It's pretty awful!
We do have access to a small communal courtyard. It's very cute! But unfortunately, I think the neighbors use it as a workplace during the day, so it's very noisy in the morning. I'm really very satisfied with the place except for the bathroom/bugs. The neighborhood seems to be a bit poorer, which doesn't bother me. We live with a mix of poorer Turks and Kurds, which is interesting. Lots of different things to hear walking down the street! I haven't met anyone yet, but I'm sure I'm quite a sight in that part of town. Some of the children shout "hi" to me as I pass. A foreigner in their neighborhood is bound to cause a stir. Add in my extremely pale skin and long dreadlocks, I stick out like a sore thumb.
As I said, Kaan and I have been thinking about moving. We've been halfheartedly searching for a nearby, inexpensive, slightly nicer apartment. I'm set on having an actual toilet, and he's set on having multiple rooms. This presents a slight problem, as most of the inexpensive multi-roomed rentals nearby are either out of our price range, don't have a Western toilet, or won't rent to an unmarried couple. I'm content to help pay rent to have my damned toilet, but he seems reluctant to do that (oh, masculinity!). Apparently, if we find a place through a rental office, we have to pay a month's worth of rent to the agent as commission. This is making things a little difficult on top of it all.. Coming up with three months of rent on a limited salary will certainly be a pitfall to moving.
My friend from Denver has safely arrived in Istanbul and has settled into the dorms. I haven't yet met up with her. We could have met up today, but I am only able to check my email at Kaan's cafe and didn't get her message in time. We might be able to meet up tomorrow; otherwise, I'll see her at the Erasmus orientation on Tuesday.
Mostly I've been sitting around at Kaan's cafe during the day. I don't have much desire to do any shopping; since he works all day, I'm left alone for the majority of the week. As a result, I tend to just hang around his cafe. I really hate doing that, but until I make friends/meet up with some of my old friends, I'd rather be around people than not.
So, things have been sort of slow getting started. Kaan works all the time, and our apartment leaves a lot to be desired. My goals in the next week are as follows:
-buy a better outlet adapter so that I can use my computer at home
-locate a better place to live!
-meet up with my friends so I don't feel like such a burden at the cafe
-learn more about my classes and school situation.
I hope these are reasonable goals.
My sister and I did a lot of filming before I left. I'll try to edit and upload it soon! For my Turkish readers, how do I bypass the youtube block?!
I haven't been fasting here. I was traveling for two days, and the remaining 3 we haven't had enough food at home to be able to safely fast. I hope to soon, however!
Kaan only has half an hour left at work, so I suppose I'll pack up. I'm eager to leave.
More soon!
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