Exploring the culture, history, and cuisine of Turkey through the eyes of not-just-another-tourist
We just returned from our week’s vacation to the Mediterranean Coast. I am not sure what I enjoyed the most. Was it the beautiful turquoise shores? The Waterfalls of Manavgat? The non-stop buffets of the resort? The breath-taking ancient ruins? I just can’t pick a favorite. So why don’t we start at the beginning. The road... Continue Reading →
Dear Readers and Friends, I leave tomorrow for a week's vacation. I am heading to the "Turkish Riviera" and will enjoy 5 nights in a luxury hotel in the Antalya region, courtesy of the family. Antalya is on the southern border of Turkey, along the Mediterranean. I will have a lot of fun pics to... Continue Reading →
I am preparing for a week’s vacation to Manavgat, near Side in the region of Antalya. Let's just say a week on the Mediterranean ain’t bad! Following that, I will begin my Turkish language course which will include many day trips to various locations. What I’m trying to say is, you will soon see lots... Continue Reading →
Yesterday was graduation at Middle East Technical University (METU). As part of the celebration, Alumni Day was held on Saturday. I attended with my husband who is currently teaching at METU as well as a graduate, class of 1999. METU is a state university founded in 1956. METU's presence brought about new methods and... Continue Reading →
It’s time. This post is not a philosophical query into who I am and why I am? I have read Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, and frankly, it’s all Greek to me. This is a somewhat simple answer to a question I have been asked over and over. A question I have been asked by friends and... Continue Reading →
When I started writing this blog, I didn't realize how hard and how easy it would be. For example, I didn't know it would be so time consuming. Taking pictures, writing my post, converting the photos for web applications, and uploading the story can sometimes take 3 to 4 hours. I'm not complaining. I wouldn't... Continue Reading →
We are all fans of McDonald’s. Sure, go ahead, claim that you are not. You can argue that it’s not a real burger. But we don’t go to McDonald’s for real burgers. We make those at home on the grill. We go for the two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce cheese, pickles, onions, on... Continue Reading →
Happy Father's Day my friends! We are celebrating Father's Day here in Turkey, much like we do in the States. I am cooking a huge breakfast for the family. We will spend the day together. And hopefully, we will enjoy a lovely fish dinner at Eymir Orfuz, a fish restaurant located in the woods along Lake... Continue Reading →
Meeting new people comes pretty easily for me. I will talk to anyone. I have held conversations with homeless people on the streets of Philadelphia. I have started conversations about my wedding plans with lawyers in the midst of multi-million dollar settlement talks. I have spent time playing pool with bikers in dark seedy bars. I even... Continue Reading →
So even though I don't know much of the Turkish language yet, I did learn a couple of things that I shouldn't say or do. First, Americans have a bad habit of saying "um". We do it all the time. A similar sound, "om", is used by people when meditating. In Turkey, "um", spelled "am", has a... Continue Reading →
I have received messages from many of my friends regarding the recent attack by Israelis on a Turkish ship, a freedom flotilla, that was carrying activists and aid to blockaded Gaza. Reports in news articles varied on many issues including the number of activists killed. The final count was nine Turks, one of whom was born... Continue Reading →
Yesterday morning I went to the police station to pick up my resident card. It's official - I am a resident of Ankara, Turkey! I took the subway back to Kizilay, then strolled through the streets, admiring this and that along the way. As I walked home, it occurred to me that I truly felt "at home" here. I had... Continue Reading →
I am just back from Germany -- again. My aunt passed away. She was the last of my mother's siblings. She was 92. Tante Martha was an awesome lady. She worked for over 40 years in a local factory. She lost her husband to a heart attack after a relatively short marriage and never remarried.... Continue Reading →
Musings of a Philadelphia lawyer - who married a Turk, quit her day job, and set out for adventure!
-by Terry Henson Kaymak
Adventures in Ankara 