Turkey: The Land of Bee-uuutiful Beaches!

So, it seems I've taken quite a hibernation from posting blogs about the wonders of life here in this Eastern/Western mash-up, but fear not. I am out for the spring, and even have some freshly tanned skin to celebrate! The weather is cheerful, no more rain thank god!, and the days are now long and bright. So, that means I have much more time to update this baby and no excuses!

As I was looking through my pictures trying to decide what memory to draw out of the recesses of my computer hard drive, I came across these two beautiful beach pictures.

Here's the beautiful beach at Olympos. (Another town in Antalya) This was from the Bayram in October...oh so long ago.

This is Kaputaş beach, about 30 minutes north of Kaş. Ironically almost the same picture as above....

So, I thought what better way to celebrate the rebirth of this blog, than to rub the beachy beauty and summer sunshine in the faces of those Iowans, who are hopefully getting a little taste of warmth, although in Spring you never know what to expect.

This past weekend I went to Kaş, a cute little touristy town off the western coast of Turkey, in the Antalya province, I believe. Well, this is a little traveler's paradise! The windingly narrow streets are lined with quaint cafes and shops. While a little touristy, it was still a calm little beach town that had much need Italian espresso and import beer...my kind of vacation!

Now, the best part of this area is the beach! Kaş is known for its rock beaches. Now, I'm talking actual rocks! I've never seen anything like this before, but the beaches are almost cliffs.

Now, its true that I just got this off of google, but you can see what I'm talking about.

We, however, trekked it by dolmuş, or little cramped bus, to a beach about 30 minutes away...the best beach of my life....Kaputaş.

This may look familiar to you....because this beach is famous! It is found inspiring young travelers on the cover of the Lonely Planet Turkey guide! 

And I was there! All day...letting my white skin air for the first time...and actually getting a bit pink!

More to come on this adventure! On the way home, we stopped at St. Nicholas' church...stay tuned. (I promise to update more :) )

Turkey: The Land of Travels Part 1

Ok guys! I'm going like wildfire today :) Just for all of my loyally devoted fans! (Hah!! I think that means Mom and Grandma only, but what can you do?! Maybe the dog looks once in a while too!)

Here is my long awaited post on travels! I've visited many places in Turkey and still have so many more. My first excursion was Afyon. You can see the "Poppy Castle" post. And then...nothing. Well, here's the somethings that went down:

1. We had an extended Bayram holiday. *Cultural Lesson* It is a holiday to celebrate Abraham and Isaac. This is known as the "Sacrifice" holiday or the sheep killing holiday in the Western world, but it's much more than that, obviously. Yes, sheep are sacrificed, but it is a time of family. Everyone goes to their hometowns and spends family time. There's more to it, but there it is in a nutshell. It lasts for 8 days or so, so it was a nice holiday for me :)

We decided to go to the sunny beaches of Anatalya (on the southern coast), and hike a supposedly beautiful, beach-strewn woodsy path. The first day was spent at the beach. I hadn't tasted salt water in years, and man was it wonderful!

We then hiked....for 10 hours!! 8 or so of us set out on this great expedition. Well, it wasn't supposed to be so great, but it turned out to be MASSIVE!!  It all began with a beautiful day and smiling Fulbrighters...

We hiked through the woods, packs full, and bodies itching to get into the cool sea. Little did we know what was coming ahead....

It was such a nice trail. The hike though the woods was fairly easy. We'd hike and then come to a beach, where we could swim or just put our feet in. Then, we were supposed to come to another beach...but it never showed up....

We were following these red and white stripped tapes hanging from the trees. Incidentally, this was incorrect. I repeat, INCORRECT! So, we ended up climbing the side of a mountain instead of a beach...and we hiked into the night.

Along our way we picked up a friendly couple from one of the Carolinas who were also lost. When they heard we were Fulbrighters, they decided to tag along....bad choice. Although the husband did comment that they were safe due to us being the "America's best and brightest," woops! Look where that got them! Lost!  And ironically, he was a forester....

As the night drew on, we began to climb the mountain by moonlight. My spirits were high. Nothing could be as difficult as the Bursa hike. (I'll fill you in on this later) So, I was chipper and ready to move forward! Others, however, were having a tough time as we rounded on our 8th solid hour of hiking.

We just kept going up and up! Pretty soon we saw a light in the distance, and my first thought (I have no idea why) was ah! someone's going to mug us! Or something of the sort. Now my wits must have been dwindling as well!! It turns out, she was a young woman from Malaysia in Turkey for a walking holiday and she was also lost. So we weren't the only idiots!

She had been on the phone with her tour guide, and he told us to wait and he would come. We all pooled our water and food-stuffs. And we were set when the Carolina couple pulled out a water bottle full of mixed Raki. (A strong Turkish liquor that tastes of Anise) We were set to wait it out.

After a couple rounds of the Raki, the woman's tour guide told us to walk up the mountain until we found a road. Eventually we came to the road, and we were tight and safe in hostels but at least 12. 10 hour hike, check!

Look back for travel stories Part 2, and I have a feeling Part 3 and 4....etc!

Turkey: The Land of...a very busy Fulbrighter who is very sorry to leave you hangin'

Well folks, it seems that this blog has taken a back burner for...oh...about 3 months now. Sorry! But you do know that I am still breathing or haven't been eaten by the wild dogs and cats on the streets of Eskişehir, because I have been updating the FB photos! Again, so much has been accumulating: work, travel, household chores, etc. I just haven't made time for you all, but now I am repenting and coming back to the homeland!

 So...over the past 3 months I have taught one module, a pre-intermediate class of such enthusiastic students. And might I toot my own horn and say that all 28 passed! :) Woo-hoo. Point for me! They really were the best class to begin with. They were so happy to be in class, when they were awake or didn't have a headache, which happens quite frequently. And even though they grumbled about having to get out of their seats to play games, afterward they told me how much they loved it!

During a unit on complaints, two students wrote the best letter of complaint, and I must share some highlights (completed from memory):

Dear Allison,

We have some problems. You need to get your watch fixed. We are so hungry and need to get out of class on time. Two students died of starvation. Please have mercy on us! Also, we have desks for a reason. We like to sit in our desks. Please don't make us move around the room. Have mercy on us!

...and so on. What kooks! These two guys were the best! (And extremely bright for their level!)


Hmm...I am now in my second module of teaching. I have now moved on up to the B2.2 side, or the most advanced students in the prep-school. Or at least they claim to be....we'll see....they are definitely less eager than my previous class. No funny letters here.

But, I'm almost done! One more week left and then exams. After that is break!! I get about 7 or so days. (I'm biting my thumb at those with a month or so, or heck even two weeks!! Which is nearly every other Fulbrighter!!!) But, all of that aside. I'm going to Gaziantep to see the lovely ladies and then maybe travel around...we'll see. Oh, the adventures in Turkey. And the great Turkish mentality of planning at the last minute!