My Observations About Turkey

Observations about Turkey:

1.      They know how to use their car horns. Seriously, I feel like I’m the laziest driver ever because I don’t use it.

2.      There is a tradition that if there is a birth or death or something significant in their family, they pay for food (similar to doughnuts) to be made and given out to the public for free. We should start this in America!

3.      Many mosques are decorated throughout the city. It is a domed room with a minaret (a tall, skinny tower) connected. There are simple ones, and more adorned. I was not able to go in one during my time there (due to time).

4.      People play “chicken” with cars. They walk into the street and expect the cars to stop. Thank goodness I’m not driving, or I would definitely show them what’s up with a scare or two.

5.      The bread is awesome; I couldn’t resist it every morning with jam and cheese.

6.      There are many stray cats and dogs. Their shots and food are paid for by the city, and they are all so cute! They don’t come up to us and beg, they just do their own thing (if that’s even possible) and are very mellow and nonthreatening.

7.      Coffee or tea after meals are expected. Yes, you read that right. Expected.

8.      Turks take a very long time with meals. I learned that I have never appreciated a good restaurant meal in the US. It’s always eat and go, instead of ordering appetizers, entrees, and then tea at the end. I decided I’m taking this tradition home with me.

9.      Ataturk’s photo is everywhere. Nearly every office, street name, and statue. Also, tattoo parlors don’t charge for getting his signature. Yes, clients get FREE ATATURK SIGNATURE TATTOOS. So, guess who got their first tattoo?? (Just kidding)

10.  There are many archeological sites that are being discovered, especially on the coastlines. Many houses are built over remains, so they are not able to uncover all of them.

11.  The weather is very consistent. It’s been sunny and 96 degrees every day that I’ve been here, and only rained once. Is it possible to bring this back to Michigan?

12.  Backgammon is a common game.

13.  Smoking cigarettes is considered a social event.

14.  Fast food DELIVERS. Yes, you read that right. And in the US we all stupidly thought they just hadn’t thought of a way to do it cheaply…

15.  The country is mostly Muslim, and they pray 5 times a day. The prayer is projected throughout with loudspeakers on the mosques, so everyone can hear it on the streets. It’s in Arabic, and is pretty amazing when it comes on. Everyone just carries on their normal lives when it comes on.

16.  The Muslim sacred day is Friday.

17.  If you ask Turks, yogurt came from their country, not Greece. I now really have no idea where it originated, but I had never heard that before. Along with many other things. From my observations, they have a competitive sibling rivalry. They disagree, but since they are from the same area and were of the same country/empire at one period, it really makes no sense.

18.  Everyone I talked to was very helpful. Even if they couldn’t understand English, they tried their best to understand through hand motions, gestures, etc. I was very touched by their earnest efforts.

19.  Everyone was interested when I informed them I’m from the US, but no one asked about life there. I’m guessing it’s because they have their own view of America through movies and music, and even though I expected that, it was still odd to be asking all these questions to people from different areas of the world and no one be at least curious about regular life in the US.

20.  I miss it already, the warm sea nearby and the people. I can’t wait to go back!