During my break, I did a lot of thinking about my blog. Naturally, as soon as I decided to take a break, I found many things I wanted to write about. But I realized that I still needed space.
This morning, I decided to reinstate my last article. I had removed it, not because of some of the negative comments there, but rather because of comments it received on my Facebook page. They were a little too personal considering I knew the person.
I have also reinstated the link on my Facebook page. However, the writer of said comments has removed herself from the page, so her “I’ve been here longer than you and therefore you are wrong” -type comments are gone as well.
Anyway, during my period of reflection, I took the time to think about what a blog is, what my blog is, what I want it to be, and what I am doing here.
Here’s my answer. A blog is personal space that we put out there for the public to view. Weird definition, huh?
On my blog, I attempt to share my personal view of Turkey by comparing it to what I know, the U.S. Sometimes I compare it to other countries I have visited as well. This is not uncommon. One’s personal views and opinions of ANYTHING are ALWAYS based on what one is familiar with. It is not a matter of what is right and what is wrong, or which is better. It is a personal view and nothing more.
I also write a lot about trips I take around the country. I love touring Turkey. In those posts, I not only write about what I see, but I attempt to offer advice of how to get there, where to stay, what to see, etc.
You may have noticed that I often add recipes. I love to cook so sharing my semi-Turkish recipes with the world is a lot of fun for me. I also add recipes from around the world that I think can easily be made here in Turkey.
There are links at the top of the page that will guide you to my recipes, to restaurant reviews, to places you can take your kids, to useful information while living in Ankara – like bus schedules, Turkish newspapers, locations of pazars, what to substitute for certain missed groceries and where to buy them, maps, and more.
I add photos of things I love. What I really love about Turkey is its balance of old and new. In my photos, however, you will rarely see modern Turkey because my personal preference is the old stuff. For example, one day I posted a photo of three older people making tomato sauce outdoors from 100 kg of tomatoes. I loved that photo. I love that they allowed me to take their photo and that they offered me a taste! I loved the sauce! One of the comments to that photo was “yes great photo…hope all your foreign followers dont take this as norm in Turkey though.”
This brings me to the topic of commenting. While I understand that comment, I also find it a little insulting to my readers. I don’t believe that my readers are idiots! My blog is a little window for them. I hope that it encourages my readers to learn more about Turkey on their own, perhaps visit Turkey, and form their own opinions!
I usually accept most comments on my blog. That is very obvious from the comments you will find on this early post (and one of my favorites). However, commenting on my blog or any blog is not an inalienable right.
I try to respond to all comments. Usually I do this in a good spirit, no matter what the comment says. That’s not always the case. There is one commenter that chimes in only when she disagrees with me. Lately I have taken to simply not responding to her.
Or there is the commenter from above. She rarely comments. But when she does, it’s usually insulting to me, or to my readers in my my opinion. Last time (on FB), I responded in kind. That’s not very nice (and kind of out of character for me), I know, but it is my blog. There is another long story that goes along with my opinion of her comments, about the separation of classes here. I’ll save that for another time.
(As an FYI – the commenter who I responded to on my last post by cursing, has apologized and so have I. I left it there because, well, that’s how the day went . . . )
So here’s the deal, I’m going to keep sharing my thoughts on Turkey as my personal opinions. You are free to agree or disagree. The majority of your comments will be posted. But beware. If you personally attack me, well, I may not be feeling well that day and may decide to attack back. So if you can’t handle it, don’t dish it out.
Of course, I will also continue with posts that I feel are helpful for foreigners to get along here. I will keep posting my recipes and photos as well.
Thanks for reading.
Adventures in Ankara 
Glad to see you back. I don’t have to agree with everything said to enjoy reading it. Unfortunately some folks think they should attack everyone with different opinions. They won’t change, so we try to ignore them. (I wish there was a delete button in real life).
Thanks so much for the comment! You and many of my virtual friends played a big role in bringing me back, as did many of my “real life” friends and family. Thanks for your ongoing support!
Glad you’re back. As you so rightly say, the blog is your space to talk about whatever you want to talk about. I got quite a lot of stick from some people in Bodrum about my blog. It was even said to me that I didn’t have the right to write! My answer was simple. Don’t like it? Don’t read it. Have something to say? Say it in your own blog. It’s quite simple really. So keep on trucking, my dear and don’t let the nasty little trolls get you down.
Thanks Jack. Good to be back. I can’t imagine what you wrote that anyone would say those things to you. I’ll have to go back . . .
. . you could try moderating all the comments on your blog for a while – bin those you don’t think should be there and respond to those that you do. You save yourself some of the nasty gut-gurgling feelings and the trolls will soon lose interest and fade away. Responding in kind will not help you to feel better and the ar#^holes know that. Let’s face it, blogging for most of us is not a job/earner so enjoying it is all.
Thanks Alan. Good points.
Welcome back! It is annoying that some people have no problem saying whatever they think. Some comments are best left unsaid! I had two comments I just deleted after my whole Istanbul is safe post. I felt they were completely uncalled for. We may be foreigners here but we do love this country and want to share it with others. It’s our opinion, so feel free to keep expressing it Terry! 🙂
Thanks Joy. Sorry to hear you had to deal with this too. Best to you.
I’m very happy to have you back too, Terry, and also sorry you’ve had this unpleasantness to deal with. I can’t understand people who go out of their way to be negative let alone downright rude.
Thank you Claudia! You know, it is just as easy to be nice as it is to be rude. But at the same time, I appreciate that people feel free to disagree with me. That I don’t mind. What I do mind is when a conversation (or comment starts with, “You haven’t been here long enough . . .” It reminds me of people who tell me I know nothing about raising children because I don’t have any. I always say, “There are parents that abuse their children. Do you think they are better parents than I would be?”
Good to see you back and I agree with Alan, people who leave unpleasant comments are often just attention-seeking. Don’t feed the troll and remove their unpleasantnessess (sounds like cleaning up after the dog, doesn’t it?) and they’ll move on to pester someone else.
You are quite right, this is your blog and your space to say how you feel about things that happen to you. I enjoy reading your blog and listening to your take on things. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the kind words Vicky and thanks for reading my blog!