Afyon: The Land of the Poppy Castle

A weekend trip down south a couple of hours, spending a weekend with a good friend, what more could you want in the land of Poppies and Castles? Afyon is a fairly large city in the center of Western Anatolia (Anatolia meaning the land mass of Turkey located in the “Middle East”). Every time I told a colleague that I was going to Afyon for the weekend, they would laugh and ask why. Why? Because that’s where my peeps are!!

After successfully getting a bus ticket and finding the bus stop, in a haphazard, Turk-lish, I was in Afyon, greeting and enthusiastic EJ! Now, Afyon is a fairly large city, but it differs greatly from beloved Eskişehir. It is about as large in land mass, but definitely lacking in population, so Afyon was a perfect, relaxing get away.

We began with a walk to see the city, with the most amazing Atatürk statue ever!

Then we scaled the castle!! No, we did hike, though, and it was a long haul!! 

The sites, however, were breathtaking!!

EJ taking in the view:

We then walked along the old streets lined with Ottoman homes. Oh the history!!

Hospitality: A Turk’s Last Name

 The Turkish are known as a über hospitable people, however let it be known that if you turn down tea, you may be dead to the world. Maybe it’s the kind face, the weird confused expression, or the fatigued “lütfen” (which means ‘please’), but I have only been met with kindness here. And thank goodness for that!

Just a couple of days ago, we were free to roam the streets of Eskişehir all day, and I branched out on my own. Mind you that my Turkish is still basically nonexistent, however I am attempting my butt off. I was discouraged when I couldn’t understand simple words such as 5 (beş) and even couldn’t comprehend enough to only buy ½ kilo of strawberries. As I walked around the crowded markets and streets lugging this 1 kilo bag-o-berries, I was a bit discouraged. But, in an attempt to rectify this, I pushed forward, and into an office supply store, I went. In search of some poster board.

After finding the needed board, an English speaking employee bee-lined over, hoping to make a sale. Now, I think he remembered us from earlier in the week when other office supplies were bought, so he knew English was the ticket. (And with my short hair, I stand out like an elephant on a golf course, great…) “Ne kadar?” I ask, meaning “how much?” and he answers “dokuz,” 9. 9tl!! Wow, no dice! But then as I say no…he offers me….some BAKLAVA, and what can I do but accept, scarf it down with many “çok güzel”s (very good) and buy the poster board. Wow, did he understand the American way. Offer free food, and we’re in.

So a lesson, if you are ever offered Baklava, don’t think twice about accepting the crispy, gewey, morsel of goodness. And, maybe, if you are on the fence about a purchase, something great may find its way to you per the shopkeeper.

Another tale of hospitality came this morning. As we waited at a bus stop to make our way to the English campus, a small white van pulled up. A nice, old Turkish man told us to jump in…After some uncertainty, he told us he was the coffee vending machine man and the guards told him to take us because we had missed the bus. (Actually the guards told us the wrong place to wait.) So, we jumped in and made our way to the other campus. After arrival, he was so proud and had to show us his coffee machine. And what a machine! It dispensed tea, coffee, espresso, hot chocolate, and all with sugar and milk options!  He then offered us free coffee! Wow! What a welcoming morning!

And I have to say a “teşekkürler” (thank you) to the baklava man and coffee vendor. The baklava brightened my day when I was feeling blue, and probably didn’t even realize it! And the coffee man made such a bright start to our day!! So spread the wealth, people. Do something kind, even if it is unconventional for a total stranger. Pay it forward!

Sign Me Up Scotty

Eskişehir: The land of strange signs….?

Our night on the town consists of walking, and walking, and walking. While the Saturday nights of most Eskişeherians (yes I made that up) consist of hitting “bar street,” we walk and see the strangest things. (Yes there truly is a “bar street” consisting of bars. What can you expect in a college town. While we have yet to visit this main attraction, we certainly walked by during the opening hours of the charades. But, not to worry, we will stay safe, tucked in our beds with dreams of Turkish delight and verb conjugations in our heads for the rest of the year.)

Anyhow, signs vary from culture to culture, in the West a thumbs up is a good sign, but in many Eastern countries, well, make sure to keep that thumb down! Others are universal, such as green = go or red = warning! stop! Well, tell me folks about this sign….it’s not quite so universal…

Only men can cross? Maybe…Only gentlemen can cross? Could be, but nearly all males would be held back…secret agents (then I could certainly slink across)…the pondering continues…

Or this symbol outside of a restaurant. A coffee restaurant, if I remember correctly. It’s a sight you would expect in Iowa, not Turkey.

Hah! Yes, your eyes aren’t fooling you, it is indeed a cow relaxing in a cup of coffee. Too good to pass by without a picture!! Bahahaha!

So, when out and about in another country, or even in your own, take a look at the locals to figure out the gist of life. What do they do? How do they do it? What do they value, um cows and coffee perhaps? Green almost always means come, and a friendly smile will always be inviting, kind, or endearing. J That’s what I’m relying on, certainly not my Turkish!!

There’s No Place Like Home

Eskişehir, the land of apartments.

Alright, this post is for all the folks back home who still believe I’m living in either some Arabian castle, or a mud hut on the side of a gravel road. Well, I hate to prove you wrong, but BAM, here it is.  While people in other parts of Turkey, I’m sure, live in houses much like we have in the States or in Europe, those in cities, including Eskişehir inhabit apartments. It’s the city life, folks! Ankara is pretty much the same as well.

Most of the students at Anadolu, if you havn’t guessed this is my university, live off campus in apartments such as those seen above. There is one dormitory, but who knows who gets those. As lucky as the girls and I are, we get to stay in the guest   housing, reserved for the highly esteemed guests, I suppose. Right on campus, these guest houses, or apartments, come equipped with water, electricity, gas….etc. You name it, we have it! And all for one low price split between 3 is a keeper!

Our apartment building (with Caitlin striking a pose):

                Because our apartment was vacant all summer, as we assumed after our first viewing, it was dusty and smelled a little wonky. So, Saturday was cleaning day. Armed with a mop, bucket, sponges, and cleaners, we rolled up our sleaves, put our Cinderella hats on, and spent a good five hours or so cleaning house. After such excruciating work, we have a sparkling, not to mention sweet-smelling home J.

                Now for the grand tour: (Dah, da, da, daaaaaaaa! BRRRRRRRrrrrrr!)

Our entry way (please take off your shoes)

Small bath (without a bath, ironically)

Our great room (living room and dining, not to mention our huge balcony!)

Kitchen (look, Mom, we have a stove and a fridge, not to mention ANOTHER balcony!)

Our long hallway, branching off into the bathroom and three bedrooms

Bathroom (looks a lot like home, huh?)

My room

My study desk (complete with pictures of friends and many Turkish post-its!)

Well, now you have the grand tour and hopefully still don’t believe I’m living in a hole in the middle of a pine tree park. All the luxuries of Western living can be found even in Turkey, who would have guessed! (yes that is sarcasm) I have a comfy place to rest my head, go to bed, and wake up in the morning…

At-a-Turk!

So, if you thought Turkey was the land of Arabian nights and harems, think again, my friend. Get Aladdin out of your head this minute, and consider one name Atatürk. Known as the father of the modern Turkey, he led the revolution and brought Turkey out of the Islamic Ottoman reign and into the present-day West (at least the present-day of 1923). Held up by the Turks as more than a founder or leader of the Republic, Atatürk is a hero, a god. Think of him as all of the US founding fathers combined…or even better, Gandhi’s relation to the Indian people.  Atatürk is more than George Washington or Abraham Lincoln; he is a way of life.  Seen on storefronts, in office buildings, homes, buttons, and even ties, the picture of Atatürk is everywhere.

Now, where, you may ask, can I get such a thing? An Atatürk tie, an Atatürk ring? Well, it’s your lucky day if you happen to find yourself near Ankara. Stop on down to the Atatürk Mausoleum and take a look. Comparable to the Gandhi monument in India, the Atatürk Mausoleum is an expansive sight. Simple, stoic, and commanding, almost embodying Atatürk himself, this sprawling monument tells the history of Turkey, from the Byzantine mosaics in turquoise above doors or gold on the ceiling, to Islamic geometric windows and courtyard arches of the Ottomans. 

  And it all accumulates into the Atatürk museum, a must see. Dioramas of WWI, nationalistic songs, and of course the ultimate in Atatürk memorabilia, the gift shop.

If you venture to Turkey, this is an essential lesson to learn. Atatürk is great, Atatürk is good, and if you happen to say anything other than that, you better be willing to fend of many offended Turks! Some heavy shackles may also appear on your wrists, so in order to keep your head, switch over to the Turkish way and get yourself an Atatürk wristlet. Who knows, after spending some time, you may even join in the fun and switch your Facebook profile pic to the almighty Atatürk. I know I will! 

Merhaba! Eskisehir! The land of gondolas and college kids!

After a week in the basement of Niza Park hotel in Ankara learning about Turkish history, politics, and language, I am FINALLY in the lovely city of Eskisehir! A city more to live in than to visit, Eskisehir is known as the University town, housing the esteemed Anadolu University. As any typical college town, it has a plethora of malls, shops, and coffee houses. Writing now from a Caribou Coffee, I feel as though I never left the states. (You have to hold on to some comforts!)

As any university town, it also has an abundance of night life fun, as all of our guides make sure to point out. I have yet to partake, and will probably wait for quite a long time.

It is also referred to as the "Little Paris." Why, I'm not too sure yet. It does have a European feel, but I wouldn't quite say Paris...there is a beautiful canal down the middle of the city with gondola rides! So come on down to Eskisehir and check it out!

Beautiful, I know!!!