Yeah, it's been a while ...
I haven't written for a while.
Please don't assume I've been stolen by gypsies. I would have posted pictures about that.
The last two weeks have been both wonderful, horrible and all around stressful. I'll refrain from too many details, but know there are more wacky adventures to come.
However, there were some problems at work last week and two very bad days. The problems are solved now, but as I was experiencing them I realized something.
I didn't expect everyday to be wonderful here in Turkey. Days can't all be good, it's just a fact of life.
But I'll take ten bad days in America for one bad day here. (Come to think of it that's about the ratio I have for my former and current job)
The language is one thing that amplifies a bad day. This might sound stupid, but you really have no appreciation for how easy your life is until you live in a country where you don't speak the language.
My Turkish gets better every day, but it's still not nearly enough to be fluent. You people (in America and any others reading from countries where they were born) know the language, you know how to communicate and you know how the customs.
It's a humbling experience to step outside of that and try to take on another tongue. It's also more humbling to ask one of your Turkish friends to come with you to do simple tasks like go to the post office, buy something or get directions to the bus stop.
There are moments like last week, when the stress meter is high and I just want to wake up in America.
But fortunately the vast majority of my days here, (I'd guess 95%) are days like today, when I want nothing more than to meet a Turkish person and eat kebab (that shit is so good. I swear they put crack in it).
That's when I pity you people. Because there's just not a decent kebab place in America.
***
Get ready for the big game at my place.
If anyone is in the greater Izmit area Sunday, (actually Monday morning at 3 a.m.) Maweja and I will be up watching the Super Bowl. It will be the most American thing I've done since I've been here. Well that and using the term "Hurriyet Patates" which is Turkish for "Freedom Fries."
I'm preparing Swine in a Blanket (except made with beef sausages because I can't find any pork around here), Hurriyet Patates and, drumroll please, Chicken and Waffles.
Please don't assume I've been stolen by gypsies. I would have posted pictures about that.
The last two weeks have been both wonderful, horrible and all around stressful. I'll refrain from too many details, but know there are more wacky adventures to come.
However, there were some problems at work last week and two very bad days. The problems are solved now, but as I was experiencing them I realized something.
I didn't expect everyday to be wonderful here in Turkey. Days can't all be good, it's just a fact of life.
But I'll take ten bad days in America for one bad day here. (Come to think of it that's about the ratio I have for my former and current job)
The language is one thing that amplifies a bad day. This might sound stupid, but you really have no appreciation for how easy your life is until you live in a country where you don't speak the language.
My Turkish gets better every day, but it's still not nearly enough to be fluent. You people (in America and any others reading from countries where they were born) know the language, you know how to communicate and you know how the customs.
It's a humbling experience to step outside of that and try to take on another tongue. It's also more humbling to ask one of your Turkish friends to come with you to do simple tasks like go to the post office, buy something or get directions to the bus stop.
There are moments like last week, when the stress meter is high and I just want to wake up in America.
But fortunately the vast majority of my days here, (I'd guess 95%) are days like today, when I want nothing more than to meet a Turkish person and eat kebab (that shit is so good. I swear they put crack in it).
That's when I pity you people. Because there's just not a decent kebab place in America.
***
Get ready for the big game at my place.
If anyone is in the greater Izmit area Sunday, (actually Monday morning at 3 a.m.) Maweja and I will be up watching the Super Bowl. It will be the most American thing I've done since I've been here. Well that and using the term "Hurriyet Patates" which is Turkish for "Freedom Fries."
I'm preparing Swine in a Blanket (except made with beef sausages because I can't find any pork around here), Hurriyet Patates and, drumroll please, Chicken and Waffles.
posted by James at 11:20 PM
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