I met a Turkish Communist, had tea with a business owner and had the best cup of coffee I can ever remember.

In the last two days a lots been going on. Here's a recap with what I promise is the longest premeditated blog I will ever write.

I'll never fly Turkish Airlines again ...

Because it had more babies on one single plane than I have ever encoutered flying. Seriously there were four within five aisles of me and that sucked. When one started crying they all started crying, then the little bastards spread it out over time so that each took turns crying. It sucked.

I felt like Hawkeye on the last episode of Mash telling the women to shut that chicken up, only my results were not as happy (yes, I went there.)

Other than that the flight was nice.

These people, you people or those people, I can't tell which one to use ...

Turkish people do not have a definative look to them. Some are white, some are dark, some are tall, some are short, some are fat, some are thin. I wish there was a better way to peg them and stereotype them. I'll figure out a way, just give me time.

I'm not "That American Guy" in most of the city ...

I figured I would be the only white American here and I think I am, (my room mate is half black so I still get the only White American title) but the city is so large that I walk around anonymous because as a few people have already told me, I look Turkish.

However, I've been buying most of my food at one market where they know me as the American guy. The woman behind the counter recognzed me the other day which I guess isn't hard because I'm the only person in Izmit that doesn't speak Turkish.

I still can't figure out what time it is ...

My first night I went with my standard plan for getting on a new countries schedule - have a few drinks, pass out and wake up with the locals.
Except that didn't work.

So I was up until 5 and woke up the same morning at 8. Then I thought I would take a nap at 12, which turned into a 7 hour nap.
Last night (wednesday) I went to sleep at 11, but woke at 5, and went back to sleep at 7. I woke again at 8 and figured I would go walk around some more and see the city.

But the city isn't really open until noon. There's a lot of businesses open, but mainly borek shops which sell pastries and news stands. Many businesses open around 10, but most of the restaurants and bars don't open until noon.


I met a Turkish Communist ...

The owner of this wine bar is an actual communist. I'd never met a commie before. It was really interesting.

He said people were happier in the Soviet Union, China is losing its way but will come back and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is the best leader in the world. He's nuts, but a fun guy to talk to.

He also said I look like a Turk and said I have Turkish family members (which isn't true, but entertaining either way,) and since it was my first time in his bar gave me what he called "the throne" to sit on. (It was the nicest chair in the restaurant.)

Thursday ...

Upon waking up at 8, I walked around and found few places open. As I walked the streets a man asked me if I was lost (At least that's what I think he said because it was in Turkish.)

He owns this little breakfast placed and produce stand next door. The man invited me to sit down and I ate there.

No mind you the entire time he's trying to cobble together what little English he knows and I'm trying to cobble together what little Turkish I know. But we end up having a conversation (at least I think we did).

At the end of the meal and conversation, though, he had his employee bring us tea (cai in Turkish) that was delicious. Tea and coffee are a big thing here and served at the end of almost any meal. It was a nice feeling though because though I know no Turkish still, he helped teach me some during our conversation, and I taught him some English.

This truly is the best coffee in the world ...

After breakfast and walking around, I stopped at a coffee house. These are not coffee houses like starbucks, but a Turkish custom. Only men are allowed and there is nothing but tea or coffee served.

This was black gold. The richest coffee I could ever remember having. It was like liquid velvet.


Well, It's kebab time.


James