Category: Ankara & Aşağı Ayrancı

CerModern

CerModern - a local art gallery, among other things, is supported by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (Türkiye Seyahat Acentaları Birliği). The beautifully restored building, resting peacefully beside rustling train tracks, was previously a repair shop for railroad cars. It is now considered an example of “contemporary museum architecture.” In its 11,500 square meters, CerModern... Continue Reading →

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Brotherly Love, and all that Jazz!

Turks are very different from Americans in the sense that they have a completely different perspective of personal space.    Turks are always walking into you, no matter how wide the sidewalk.  They ask personal questions about the way you look, your weight, and your health.  They generally don't follow traffic rules, so your lane... Continue Reading →

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Lemontree

UPDATE 7/24/2012 - Sadly, Lemontree closed a couple of months ago.  Thanks to Steve and his crew for the great food and good times!  And good luck with your new gig! Apparently, there's another new kid in town, the crepe cafe known as "Lemontree."  To be fair, owners Steven and Filiz have been around town... Continue Reading →

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SESLERLE ANADOLU

Last night I saw a Turkish musical entitled, "Seslerle Anadolu" or "Voice of Anatolia"  performed at Leyla Gencer Sahnesi.  It was really beautifully done and I highly recommend seeing the show if you get a chance. Seserle Anadolu is a compilation of traditional Turkish songs, dance, poems and stories that cover varying periods of Anatolian history.  The... Continue Reading →

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Date Night – Dinner & Macbeth

Wednesday was Date Night - dinner and a show.  I got all dolled up and had my hair done.  Unfortunately, I am still not able to communicate clearly with the hairdressers here.  I wanted the hair blown out with a bit of a soft curl towards the bottom.  I came out looking like Shirley Temple.... Continue Reading →

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Rants . . .

"Fear of the Law" has prevented me from writing freely this past year.  Since I wasn't raised here, I don't fully understand how things work.  But I do know that many people have been prosecuted for "insulting Turkishness" under the Turkish criminal code.  I'm not afraid to say that I am afraid of that.  I... Continue Reading →

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Quick China – Restaurant Review

When I first visited Quick China in G.O.P. (Gaziosmanpaşa), I was unprepared to review it.  I had gone with a new friend to check out the lunch buffet and drink wine.  So that's what we did. Recently, I had the occasion to visit Quick China again, this time at its Bilkent location.  In Ankara, Quick... Continue Reading →

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A Reflection on Friends

Next week will be ten months since I made Turkey my home.  Time passes quickly, and at the same time, moves at the same slow pace of that snail I think is living in my Christmas tree. This morning, I have taken some time to reflect on my friendships, both old and new.  As we... Continue Reading →

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Mutlu Yıllar

It's New Year's Eve around the world.  In Ankara, it is celebrated much like it is in other countries, with parties, dinner, and friends.  However, in Turkey, there is a twist.  Many people are adding traditional Christmas festivities to their New Year's celebrations.  In Ankara, I have many friends who have New Year's trees with all of... Continue Reading →

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Family

One of my sisters came to visit.  She had a rough flight from Philly to Munich.  Followed by a two hour delay in the Munich airport due to snow - a total of 6 hours sitting in the airport. We didn't do much Wednesday night.  We had  a quick dinner of soup and salad, and... Continue Reading →

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