And I thought the french smoked everywhere ...
The Turks are Awesome!
I got into to Izmit today and getting here was quite an adventure.
The driver who picked me up was nice and offered me a cigarette when I got in the car. So far so good I thought.
But then we hit the road. Turks drive like New Yorkers on crack.
Traffic lines mean nothing, using the right shoulder to pass another car is not looked down on, in fact it's encouraged.
My driver consistently manuevered into lanes where two yards of space were available.
I didn't see much of Istanbul becuase I had to get into the school, check in, meet the teachers and my room mate, Maweja Henderson, orginally from Chicago.
We went to lunch and I found out that pretty much all of my coworkers are also smokers, so we already have that bond.
We stopped in at a restaurant here where I had the most delicious kebeb dish (called Iskender, which means Alexander.) I liked kebab already but when they chef came out and poured melted butter on it I was in heaven.
I got into my apartment which is a pretty nice size. a living room, dining are where Maweja and I keep our computers, a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
After settling down here I went out to the city to find a place that sold international calling cards and diet coke.
Make no mistake about it my Turkish is piss poor. But armed with my pocket sized book, "Just Enough Turkish," I got a few words and phrases across.
The only problem with getting them across was that the clerks, shopkeepers and police officer I asked for directions is they responded in Turkish.
One policeman who I asked for directions was so taken back by the fact that I tried Turkish that he shook my hand and almost gave me a hug.
I've walked around a little bit of the city and have just about every amenity available here. DVD's cracked me up because they download and burn them right at the shop.
So far so good. I'm heading to a wine bar later with a few of the teachers. My roommate said its where most of the English Speakers in town congregate.
James
I got into to Izmit today and getting here was quite an adventure.
The driver who picked me up was nice and offered me a cigarette when I got in the car. So far so good I thought.
But then we hit the road. Turks drive like New Yorkers on crack.
Traffic lines mean nothing, using the right shoulder to pass another car is not looked down on, in fact it's encouraged.
My driver consistently manuevered into lanes where two yards of space were available.
I didn't see much of Istanbul becuase I had to get into the school, check in, meet the teachers and my room mate, Maweja Henderson, orginally from Chicago.
We went to lunch and I found out that pretty much all of my coworkers are also smokers, so we already have that bond.
We stopped in at a restaurant here where I had the most delicious kebeb dish (called Iskender, which means Alexander.) I liked kebab already but when they chef came out and poured melted butter on it I was in heaven.
I got into my apartment which is a pretty nice size. a living room, dining are where Maweja and I keep our computers, a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
After settling down here I went out to the city to find a place that sold international calling cards and diet coke.
Make no mistake about it my Turkish is piss poor. But armed with my pocket sized book, "Just Enough Turkish," I got a few words and phrases across.
The only problem with getting them across was that the clerks, shopkeepers and police officer I asked for directions is they responded in Turkish.
One policeman who I asked for directions was so taken back by the fact that I tried Turkish that he shook my hand and almost gave me a hug.
I've walked around a little bit of the city and have just about every amenity available here. DVD's cracked me up because they download and burn them right at the shop.
So far so good. I'm heading to a wine bar later with a few of the teachers. My roommate said its where most of the English Speakers in town congregate.
James
posted by James at 6:42 PM
3 Comments:
Just stay away from the second hand smoke becuase that is really bad for you.
midege that was me blanche
midge
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