Kayseri

My last visit to Kayseri was about 2 years ago.  Kayseri is is a large and industrialized city, about a 4 hour drive southeast from Ankara.  It is located along what was known as the "Great Silk Road" and has been a continuous settlement since 3000 B.C.  Wow, that's old.  Despite its age, most of... Continue Reading →

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Ankara vs. Philadelphia

Ankara and Philadelphia have so much in common.  There are also a lot of things that are very different - or at least things are done in very different ways. Here is a fun list of things that are similar and some that are different: Ankara has Ataturk, the founding father of modern Turkey.  You will find his picture in... Continue Reading →

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Car Shopping

Shopping for cars in Turkey is just plain hell.  First, there are different rules and taxes for a yabancı (a foreigner) than for a Turkish citizen.  If a foreigner sells a used car, he can only sell it to another foreigner.  I believe it also has less tax than for a Turkish citizen.  Sounds great... Continue Reading →

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Maria Vesperbild

I just returned from a week's visit with my Bavarian family and once again, I had a great time.  Mom met me in Germany and is now here in Ankara for a short visit.  Below are pics from a day we spent at Maria Vesperbild in  Landkreis Günzburg, about a 15 minute drive from our village.  Approximately... Continue Reading →

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Furniture Shopping – Part I

When shopping, everyone likes to get a good deal.  There is no exception when it comes to mobilya (furniture).  In the States, Ethan Allen has its price, and that is what you pay.  Department stores and lesser furniture stores (no offense – by this I mean not the highest end furniture) have regular sales, especially... Continue Reading →

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Sausages & Shots

Friday night was another gorgous evening for a stroll through the neighborhood.  It also became a lovely date night.  I had received an invitation from the Turkish American Association (TÜRK-AMERİKAN DERNEĞİ) for one of its special events.  It was walking distance so we headed on over.  (Still shopping for a car!) The TAA , with... Continue Reading →

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DIY – Adventures in House Painting

More and more Turks are doing more and more DIY(do it yourself) projects.  I believe this phenomenon was a little slow to start here because labor in Turkey is rather inexpensive.  Materials, on the other hand, can sometimes be very expensive.  For example, if you want real wood, you should be prepared to sacrifice a... Continue Reading →

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You and Your Hair

The first book I remember owning – that was completely mine – not shared with my brothers, sisters, niece or nephews – was “The Baby Born in a Stable.”  Mom bought it for me at the Religious Goods Store at St. Agnes.  I actually got to pick it out.  Here’s a current pic of it... Continue Reading →

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. . . about Religion

 I wasn’t planning on writing about religion, politics, the death penalty, or gun control until I felt more established here in Ankara.  These are subjects that will offend.  I know that.  You know that.  But after only one week of writing this blog, I have decided to give the readers what they want. Me in... Continue Reading →

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To Bake or Not To Bake

Let me start this post by stating that I am by no means a baker.  I like to cook, no, I love to cook.  On a rainy Sunday afternoon, I can spend hours scouring Food and Wine magazine and creating my own recipes in my head.  It’s one of my favorite things to do.  Baking... Continue Reading →

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