sekiz A sekiz B

On my way home from the center of Adana the other day, something wonderful happened. I was sitting next to a woman on the bus who was chatting with a few other women, all of whom were dressed pretty conservatively and wearing headscarves. I observed the women for a few moments becuase people watching is the best way to pass time on the bus and then went back listening to my ipod. About 15 minutes into my 35ish minute ride home one of  the women turned to me and asked if I knew my way around Turgut Ozal, the rode my bus goes on. I know it pretty well riding it almost everyday to and from my Turkish course and told her so. She asked if I knew a restaurant that is on the way back and I told her my stop was after and I would tell her where to get off. She thanked me and when the time came I pointed out where to go, she replied iyi aksamlar (good evening) as she and her friends left the bus. Though it seems like no big deal, for me it was exciting. Giving directions in a city is the equivalent of translating from one language to another, like evidence that are fluent in the place you live. When me as a yabanci (foreigner) was able to give directions to a person from Adana it was proof that I am living in a place that at least in some ways I can call home.

 From living in Barcelona and Badalona I discovered what a joy it is to learn your way around a new city. Some of my most memorable days were wandering around Gracia or Barrio Gotico on spring days and discovering new cafes and shops. Adana is admittedly very different than Barcelona but I have enjoyed learning my way around this city. There have of course been some minor missteps, but that is half the fun of figuring it out. Once Rebecca and I decided to take a break from our normal 8A green bus and took a dolmuş, a sort of small bus, and ended up on an unfamiliar street. It didn't take us long to find our way to the right bus but our mini-adventure was exhilarating. We realized that we had finally made it to that point in Turkish that if we were lost or needed help with something we could ask for it.

Even on San Juan I enjoy giving directions, and can remember clearly the times in Barcelona I was asked where to go.  Part of why its seems like a such a big deal to me is probably because I grew up in a place so small that I rarely had to ask for directions and when I did they were given in reference to places like 'the Jangard's house' or 'the rock.' Here, I am not really asked for directions, most likely because my hair color tends to attract more questions on where I come from rather than where to go. So when mistaken for somebody that looks like they actually might be from here or know where to go, I soak it in.

There are many definitions of when and how you call a place home. In some respects I feel that I have never been able to call a place home like I have San Juan, but I would also claim to feel at home in my 5th floor apartment in Adana, Turkey. Giving directions, especially to a place I pass everyday, is no claim to being a local, or even knowing my way around the city but it does feel pretty good to feel like I am getting a handle on my surroundings. After seven months one would hope so.

Sitting On My Balcony Feeling Fortunate

My weekend is rapidly coming to a close, and tomorrow I will be back to school ready to face the new week. Sahalie, my fellow blond, and one of my American friends is staying at my house. Her host mother is in Azerbaijan (a trip we begged to go on) and because my host mom and her host mom are good friends they sent her to live with us for ten days. It is nice to have her here and especially good to have somebody to go to the gym with while Rebecca, my usual companion is in Istanbul with her natural family.

Friday was a welcome last day of the week, and we got out early to teach our English classes. It was a big day because Kenzie and I had prepared a test for our class. From giving a test I feel like I had a bit of an insight to how my teachers back at home felt on test days. First, I realized that it is not only hard for the students. I was worried that if the test was too easy they wouldn't try as hard from now on, but if it was too hard they would become discouraged. Fortunately, though I felt like it went really well, Kenzie came up with some really good questions, and we now know what they do and don't understand. I take the class probably why more seriously than I should, but I really enjoy teaching them.


Saturday after eating a ginormous Turkish breakfast we hit the gym, and had a good workout. I have been a bit embarrassed lately because the man who owns my gym asked me the other day if I had beer in my Klean Kanteen. I guess they are not that common here. Though really, who would work out while drinking beer?

Also on Saturday, we did something very out of the ordinary. We went out in Adana. It took a lot of preparation, and the buildup was extreme, but we actually made it out. It hasn't really bothered me that we don't go out here because it's really not all that common, nonetheless it was a nice change. We, the four of us as rebecca was gone,  arranged it with one of the AFS volunteers. Asking for permission from my host mom was somewhat terrifying because though I really love her I maintain a healthy bit of fear that keeps me in line (not that I'm not afraid of you mom and dad!) It was so unnatural for me to get nervous just to ask if I could stay out till 12:00ish. Eventually, I got up the courage and surprisingly she was ok with it, but just till 12:00, and I don't argue with my host mom. Actually I don't think the prime minister of Turkey would argue with my host mom. It felt slightly like a high school dance, taking more time to choose what to wear than the actual event, but we had a good time.


It was nice to get out, but the best part of my weekend was what I spent at home. With Sahalie, Sophie, Rebecca and Kenzie we have a great time. Also I love that we can be at my house and talk with my family and it just feels natural. I am at home here. I have really felt that with my host mom and sister lately. My host mom jokes with me and calls me aşkım which means love and I feel so comfortable around them. Plus it is so nice that my friends can be over and Dilşad can hang out with us, or not and I feel no strain whatsoever.


Sunday morning we ate and even bigger Turkish breakfast than the day before, with lots of simit, and lounged around chatting for most of the day. When Kenzie and Sophie left Sahalie and I cleaned up my very messy room, and then sat out on the balcony to enjoy the warm air. Adana already feels well into spring and it was a beautiful day. I made us Turkish Coffee and we chatted about our lives here without making any solid points or conclusions but just thinking about all that we are grateful we are to be here. Sometimes all it takes is sitting on a balcony to see that.

Second Podcast

So Rebecca and I have finally gotten our second podcast up! We are still working out some bumps but this one is a little bit smoother and slightly less giggly. We talk about our recent trip to Ankara and Cappadocia, and  about our live here in Adana. We also include a little bit of Turkish! We appreciate comments or feedback, so please feel free to do so! 

Charlotte and Rebecca's Podcast

Türk Yemeği: Kahvalti

I have mentioned the food here in just about every blog I have written, so I though I would dedicate a few blogs solely to Türk Yemeği(Turkish food.) The food here is so wonderful that I can't seem to ever get enough, I swear my stomach has expanded. I am starting with my favorite meal and the first one of my day, breakfast.

My favorite part about the weekend is that I get to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast which is always wonderful! Every breakfast varies, depending on the season, region, and just what is in your house. Though there are a few things that are almost always included;

Ekmek(break)is the main staple without which would nullify any Turkish meal. Though I don't eat it at every meal, it is always present, school meals included. I love it at breakfast though, and eat it with everything. There is a wide range of breads but they are always fresh and never come in plastic. I love simit, which is a doughnut shaped bread crunchy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside and all covered in sesame seeds. I love bread.

Zeytin(Olives) are almost always present, and usually there is a variety. Green olives, black olives, brown olives, etc. My favorite olives are these green little ones that are always soaking in olive oil and red pepper spices.

Peynir(cheese) is another main staple of breakfast, and there is also always at least a few different kinds. At grocery stores the delis always have a huge selection of cheeses so I am always surprised and delighted by new ones. Last Sunday we went to a fruits and veggies market and I picked my favorite cheese. It looks like a braid and is reminds me of string cheese though it is salty and delicious. Also on the table is feta and a couple other kinds.

Yoğurt(yogurt) is present in many Turkish meals and in a variety of different forms; Soup, drinks, pasta sauce and the list goes on and on. For breakfast we eat what is called süzme yoğurt and it is sort of a thick unsweetened yogurt. At my house we put it on top of bread and other things though I am not sure how common it is, some of my friends don't.

Salata(salad)is probably the healthiest thing on the table. My host mom usually includes (depending on what is in season) cucumbers, sweet peppers, tomatoes and is dressed in olive oil and spices. Delicious.

Yumurta(eggs) cooked omelets style and flipped to perfection. They are also usually cooked with olive oil, spices and possibly some sort of veggie or sausage.

Patates(potatos) are not often cooked at my house but I always look forward to them when they are. Same sort of thing, spices and olive oil and though I am not sure exactly how my host mother does it but they are SO good.

Reçel(jam) is often present. My host mom's family makes it with the fruit from the village the lived in, and it is really yummy. I love the cherry jam which is not something I ate a lot of in the states but I see a ton here.

Kaymak ve Bal(kaymak and honey) arguably my favorite thing ever, and for sure on the breakfast table. I remember the first morning I tried this and I couldn't stop eating it. My friend Sahalie and her host family was over, so together we declared that every piece was going to be our last. We may have finally gained enough control to stop eating but more likely is that we ran out of bread. Kaymak is (and this is what I understood in translation) the cream that you get off the top when milk is boiled. It is super thick with the most brilliant creamy taste, though alone alright when you add honey on top it is amazing. When my host mom asks if she should buy it I always hesitate, do I really want to be around that?

Nutella or the Turkish version Çokella is common as another sweet thing to spread on breads.

Fındık Ezmesi (hazelnut butter)is not something we eat in our house but I have had it at friend's houses and it is so good. Just as it's names describes it is like peanut butter but more crunchy and less refined. We get peanut butter as well here but it is not the same as in the states, my mom brought it to me from Rome and Dilşad agreed, she has made me promise to send it when I get home.

As I said there could be a wide array of other things but here is enough to wet your taste buds, and mine as well. Fortunately we have kaymak and bal at this very moment! I will continue writing about the food, as I move on to other meals.

Yarın, napacaksın?

"yarın, napacaksın?" This is the question my host mom asks me most nights meaning, what will you do tomorrow? and for weekdays it goes pretty much like this;

My Mondays are like for most people the first day of my week. Also, like for most people I don't generally look forward to this day, but neither do I dread it. I make my cup of coffee, eat my cornflakes, Dilşad waits for my to be ready (just as my sister did in the states,) and we walk to school together. I could sleep in about an extra half hour and save myself sitting awkwardly alone in my classroom waiting for the other students, but Dilşad likes to get there early and I appreciate the time together. Sometimes we don't talk, sometimes I probably talk way too much singing her the Turkish songs I have learned, and taking suggestions for new ones. The walk is only about 7 minutes so it's really not enough time to get on each others nerves.

I try to make use of my time in school by studying Turkish, reading children's books, writing, etc. I am participating more and more in my lessons but certainly not up to their level. My history teacher who I have mentioned in previous blogs still enjoys getting me up in front of the class to answer questions. I enjoy being pulled in to participate but the problem is I really can not understand this man. My classmates think my impression of him is funny, but it's true he speaks in a low rapid grumble, and I can't make out much of it. His classes do wake me up though!

I also joined a gym! Most Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I try to go. I joined for a few reasons. One was admittedly to try to counteract some of the affects of the enormous amount of delicious Turkish food I have been eating. Another is simply for my health, I get very little exercise here since I don't play any sports. It's also nice to add a little variety to my life even if it just means going into a small sort of basement stuffed full of workout equipment.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays like always I have Turkish classes. Now that another three of our members have left classes are smaller and though more empty, also more serious. We have been upping the difficulty level, deciding to only speak in Turkish while there, taking tests and pushing each other unintentionally to improve. We now start our weeks by picking a song to sing, dissecting it, and learning it by heart. The first two weeks have been Turkish pop (I will try to find a way to get them online) and the third is a rehearsal dinner wedding song, used to make the bride cry, yeah, it confused me too. It feels good to get more out of our time there and I still really enjoy being with my friends though we do miss our girls.

The newest addition to my schedule has been teaching English. Every Wednesday and Friday at about noon I leave school early to go to the Gençlik Merkezi (youth center) so teach English with to about six women who must be in their late twenties to early thirties. I teach the class with Kenzie, who has been doing it a bit longer than me. I started with volunteering at a kindergarten, trying to teach 15 or so 5-year-olds English, and when I had the opportunity to teach older people, I jumped at the chance. So far, I like it a lot. Kenz joked that my enthusiasm was normal for the first few lessons, and I was enthusiastic. I feel like I have the opportunity to really help these women learn English, and I have been thinking a lot on how to explain things. Teaching English is not an easy task! It reminds me of the English as a Second Language classes I helped with on the island, and I have a whole new respect for both the teachers and the students there. What a confusing language English is!

So there is my extended answer to a pretty simple question. With that, if anyone has a specific question about life here or anything, I would be happy to answer it. I love comments and feedback!