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

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'm the freakin U.N.

I found my calling in life. Translating for bartenders in airport bars.

These two middle aged Italian women just stepped up to the bar. When the tender asked what they wanted they said, "No Englese."

I stepped in. I asked them if they wanted beer or wine (bira or vino) and they said "Bira."

I told the tender what they wanted and even ordered them an Italian beer.

It feels gold to know you made a difference. I even told them "Salute."

By the way, the gay flight attendant sitting down the bar from me, keeps talking to really good looking women and they seem into him. I think I might tell him to stop being gay.

James

P.s. Avril Lavinge's really lost her way. I mean she started out good and then just became some pop star.

It's true - it never sleeps.

 

My Night in the city.

I'm sitting here in the airport bar at JFK listening to a gay flight attendent talk to a stupid Hungarian woman. (The Brooklyn Brewery, great beer.)

I'm already lamenting the sorry state of our crappy country by the fact that I can't light A GODDAMNED CIGARETTE in the airport. MEAGH!

Only 14 hours until I can smoke.


James 

New York, New York

Wow. What a city. Saturday night I walked the Village, had a fantastic steak and heard some great jazz. One day in and I'm hooked. I want to live in New York.

Everywhere I went I looked for the dirty, loud, pushy New Yorkers I've always talked about and couldn't find them. (I'm still looking though.)

As I hung out in the village, I kept looking at each person, studying their features and realiazed - they look like normal people. Honestly, New Yorkers look just like people you would find in any city around the world. Quite bizarre really.

All Bests,


James

Start spreading the news ...

Before I make my way to Istanbul (not Constantinople)and eventually Izmit in the Kocaeli region of Turkey, I'll spend two days in New York, New York.

So before you start reading about the wacky adventures of James in Turkey on Tuesday, you'll get a nice recap of James' wacky adventures in New York. I land Saturday at JFK and take off Monday afternoon for Turkey.

Rex

 


This has absolutely nothing to do with Turkey, but isn't my nephew Rex adorable.