While visiting other countries, here are some things I miss about Ankara:
Sounds of the Mosques
Atakule
The Taxi Call Boxes which never cease to amuse me
Visiting Street Cats
and Lucky! Of course.
Playing with Friends
and watching new friends grow.
and more friends.
These are just a few thoughts for the day. Of course, I miss my family the most. And Turkish Tea. I miss tea. And family. Yes. Family. . . and tea.
Posted in Ankara & Aşağı Ayrancı, Family Life, Friends, Turkey
Yesterday there was a bomb attack on the AKP headquarters in Ankara. Allegedly, it was thrown towards Prime Minister’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s office. One person was injured. You can read the full story by clicking here:
This morning I received an email with a message from the U.S. Embassy. The entire message is below. As always, please be safe but don’t give up on Turkey!
United States Embassy Ankara, Turkey
March 19, 2013
Security Message for U.S. Citizens:
Terrorist Organization Anniversary Dates and Nevruz
The U.S. Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens in Turkey that terrorist organizations have historically demonstrated a preference for conducting attacks on dates deemed important to the organization. Beginning March 30 and continuing through the first three weeks of April, the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) has several significant anniversary dates, including the March 30 anniversary of the founding of the organization.
The DHKP/C claimed responsibility for the February 1 suicide attack against the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. The DHKP/C is a terrorist organization that has existed since the 1970s and has networks in Turkey and across Europe. The Embassy has no knowledge of any specific attacks being planned by the DHKP/C. However, the DHKP/C has stated its intention to commit further attacks against the United States, NATO, and Turkey.
On March 21, many in Turkey will observe Nevruz – a spring festival commonly recognized as the Kurdish New Year and a celebration marking the beginning of spring. Public Nevruz observances typically involve bonfires and mass celebrations. Historically, members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have used these celebrations to incite violence in order to provoke a response from Turkish authorities. Due to ongoing peace talks, the police do not anticipate the violence associated with past celebrations.
However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
The Embassy continues to urge U.S. citizens to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Please check our Country Specific Information Sheet for further security guidance. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and nationals traveling to or residing in Turkey enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens and nationals without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrolling signs you up to receive updated information about areas abroad, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you or your designated contact in case of emergency.
Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, a regular toll line at +1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook. Downloading our free Smart Traveler app, available through the iTunes store and the Google Play store, for travel information at your fingertips..
Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90) (312) 455-5555, fax (90) (312) 468-6131.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at 2 Uçsehitler Sokagi, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102.
The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at 212 Girne Bulvar?, Güzelevler Mahallesi, Yüre?ir, Adana, tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916.
The Consular Agency in Izmir can be reached at tel: (90)(232) 464-8755, fax (90)(232) 464-8916.
Ankara streets are laid out like a [INSERT TEXT HERE].
No, that wasn’t a mistake. The street map is so crazy, I couldn’t think of anything to write! So feel free to comment with your suggestions!
It’s amazing to me sometimes that anyone finds anything. And yet, we do!
This is my version of how a Turk gets directions:
Driver: How do I get to point x?
1: blows Driver off with one short sentence.
D: Pretends he understands and drives for 2 minutes. Sees another person. Asks for directions.
2: Gives really lengthy directions, doesn’t mention any street names.
D: Pretends to understand. Drives away.
This goes on for some time until the driver miraculously stumbles into the correct neighborhood. He goes to a taxi stand and asks again.
Taxi: You just passed it.
I really don’t know how Turks do it! But I just love to see it done!
Now here’s how we foreigners do it:
1- We ask beforehand, what’s the address?
2- We plug it into our GPS.
3- We get nothing, so we pull up Google Maps online.
4- We get nothing. So we reach out to other expats. We get tons of answers, many that may as well be in another language.
5 – Finally, we decide to go to some other place we already know instead.
I truly admire the Turks ability to get around this city. Honestly, I’m not afraid to get out there, and get lost, either. I do rely on my GPS quite a bit. When I bought maps for Turkey, three years ago, they only covered about 60% of the roads. But that’s not so bad especially in the big cities.
There are a few problems for us foreigners when it comes to Turkish addresses. First, there’s not really a standard method of writing an address here. It’s pretty willy-nilly, sometimes getting names of apartment buildings, sometimes neighborhoods, etc.
But even more so, many streets in neighborhoods are numbered. Numbered with 4 digits!! And they often have an old number and a new number. So your Turkish friend may give you the old street number, because that’s what everyone does, when in fact your navigation device is using the new number. Or vice versa.
Americans are not much better in this area. We say things like “turn left where the old Mobil Station used to be.” Hmmmm. If it’s not there anymore, how would I know where to turn?
Another issue is we often will see two street names listed together as an address. We have no idea what that means. So we assume the first street is the address. Wrong! The first street is the cross street (or the main road nearby). The second street listing is actually the address.
And here’s my biggest problem. Friends and family who speak a little English will always give you the Turkish street name followed by the English word “Street”. That just doesn’t work if I want to look up the directions. Think about it, in English we have street, avenue, boulevard, pike, alley, highway, route . . . and more. Turkish is no different. So if you tell me it’s 1521 Street, I’m going to type in 1521 Sokak. I may or may not end up at the right place. It’s possible that I end up many miles away because I actually needed 1521 Cad. (This is a true story although the number is not accurate.)
One is a little luckier in an area like GOP if you are looking for Uğur Mumcu. The Sokak lays right behind the Cad. But don’t try telling your cab driver you want Uğur Mumcu Sokak. He will surely think you have no idea what you want and take you to the Cad. instead. It happens to me every week!
Finally, if using a GPS, BEWARE! When they tell you that you still need to obey traffic rules, you do! It may seem like the Turkish traffic police never pull anyone over. But if there are three of them, and they are already out of the car, and they aren’t on a tea break, and you make an illegal turn on Ataturk Bulvari, they will pull you over! And don’t think those dreamy light blue eyes are going to get you out of a ticket either! Believe me, it’s been tested! (Perhaps they will in a less populated area though).
Posted in Ankara & Aşağı Ayrancı, Language, Transportation, Turkey
. . . the mouse will cook bacon!
Orecchiette with sauteed (in virgin olive oil) brussel sprouts, onions, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, black pepper and bacon. Topped with Parmesan/Reggiano cheese!
It’s quick and easy! And I don’t think a recipe is needed for this one . . .
Posted in Food, How to . . ., Recipes, Turkey
A fabulous post from our friend at Captivating Cappadocia:
This list was not difficult to make but was wonderful to discover, and there are no filler entries. Every item is legit.
To say that Turkish food is delicious would be trite – delectable, scrumptious, delightful, yummy… The breads, the kebabs, the salads, the pides, the sweets, the tea and coffee…
Click here to read the entire post: 100 Turkish Foods: How Many Have You Tried in Cappadocia?.
This is a custom made frame. It is approximately 20 inches by 15 inches. It is not a real wooden frame. Wood is much more expensive and harder to find. But it looks like real wood and the frame is about 2.5 inches wide.
Why do I like it so much? It cost only 25 Turkish lira. That’s about $11 for a custom made frame! Not the $150 it would have cost in the States for the same.
Go Turkey!
Posted in Art, How to . . ., Shopping, Turkey
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am honored to invite you to the Opening Cocktail Reception of my solo art exhibition “three elements” at the Istanbul Art Platform Gallery on March 2, 2013. The exhibit will be on display until March 30, 3013.
The “three elements” exhibition pays tribute to the number “3″ in every way, shape and form. The exhibit was inspired by the trilogy of e’s comprising my initials and my passion for architecture, interior design and furniture. I invite you on an unforgettable journey to experience the depth and vibrancy in my exhibition of paintings and furniture created by the application of natural materials and resin on acrylic. All IAP exhibits also support a social cause. A portion of the proceeds from the “three elements” exhibition will be donated to the Elim Sende Association focused on promoting youth development through arts and culture.
I hope to see you there!
Yours truly,
ebru
Musings of a Philadelphia lawyer who quit her day job and moved to Turkey. Life brings a new adventure each day; exploring Turkey with photography and wit, learning and sharing the cuisine, and providing useful information to expats and visitors.
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