recent developments

It's been a really slow day here at good ol' Cafe Nero, so I figured I'd post an update with the recent happenings.

I did decide to go to Ağrı for the wedding. Kaan and I decided that we'd be able to make/find enough food for me that I wouldn't have to go hungry. I decided the cultural experience of a traditional wedding was also a really important thing to see, especially since none of my Turkish friends will be marrying any time soon. I was excited to meet his family and see his village. We had decided to fly out Wednesday night or Thursday morning and return on Sunday night or Monday morning. This would mean that I'd have to miss two days of school, but sometimes absences are acceptable. There was a lot of drama over buying tickets, but we do finally have a reservation for two round-trip tickets. Now, there is an even bigger problem than food or tickets: there was a death in the bride's family. There's the chance that the wedding will be postponed for some time. I'm disappointed for Kaan's brother, but if we don't end up going this weekend, I won't be heartbroken. The wedding WILL happen; now it's just a matter of when. If we do go this weekend, I'll be sure to take lots of photos.

I ran into Doğan Amca again a couple of weeks ago. Jessi and I were walking down the street and saw his car. We peeked into the nearby shops to see if we could find him. He had been across the street, registering a new car with the local police station. Together, the three of us ventured to Karaköy to eat some amazing baklava. He said it was the best in Istanbul, and he was definitely right!

Some of you may know of my interest in learning about Islam, especially Sufism and Sufi groups. Turkey has been the birthplace of many Sufi movements, so being here has given me the opportunity to really explore some of these traditions. However, as with many things in Turkey, the opportunity is something I have to work for. This Doğan Amca fellow has been very helpful, but I haven't had much of a chance to cultivate the friendship and access these hidden traditions through him. Part of me is reluctant to get involved with anything that might require any sort of commitment; I suppose I have a slight commitment-phobia. But knowing him is a start.

As far as I understand, he goes to a Jerrahi tekke, in the same tradition in which I've done some exploration previously. There are a number of other Sufi traditions present in Turkey; the Mevlevis, commonly associated with the Rumi and the Bektaşis, associated with Hacı Bektaş are the two that come to mind. I don't know very much about these other two Sufi groups, but I do know the Bektaşis are closely related to the Alevis, another branch of Islam that interests me. While exploring Kadıköy with my friend Annika last week, I found a gentleman who self-identified as a Bektaşi. He offered, as Doğan Amca did, to show me around and, I suppose, serve as a sort of guide to the tradition. So far nothing has really come of either of these acquaintances (other than some delicious baklava!), but it's really comforting to know where to go if I get the nerve to start to really explore.

There isn't much to tell about school. Russian seems to be working out; I think I've come to an agreement with my professor about a class schedule. I think we sort of have a mutual understanding of what will happen, so that's a relief. Otherwise, there haven't really been any developments in school. I have a paper proposal coming up soon, so I need to start thinking about that. I guess I'll be spending some time in the library this week and next week!

I did finally get my residence permit. The last two trips were super easy--literally walk-in and walk-out. I'm really glad for this; after the four hour trip and ensuing frustrations I more than deserved an easy trip.

No luck on finding the cockroach eating spider, so we're still battling the damn things. I'd like to say we're winning, but they keep getting creative and hiding in new places. Someday we'll get those buggers!

I can't think of anything else that's happened in the last week, other than renewing my addiction to the Sims 3. Rest assured all my free time is spent manipulating the lives of my puny pixelated friends.