Far From The Sticks

October 27, 2011

Earthquake in Turkey

On October 23rd at around 1:40 pm a 7.2, on the Richter scale, earthquake hit the region of Van in Eastern Turkey. The hardest hit city was that of Ercis. The Eastern region of Turkey is the poorest and least developed are of Turkey, as well as one of the most seismically active regions.

The situation began tragically and has become more grim. Currently the death toll is 534 and hundreds are still missing, buried among the debris. 2,300 people are injured. Over 10 thousand people are homeless, their homes collapsed or structurally unsound, they are suffering from the cold and intermittent rain and snow.

There were people being pulled from the rubble through Tuesday and Wednesday, including the amazing rescue of a premature infant, mother and grandmother. However, after five days, the focus is switching from search and rescue to relief efforts. There are fundraising efforts though public and private foundations all over the country. My friend has been collecting and organizing ways to help through physical and monetary donations. Please visit her blog to see how to help. Also, Western Union is not charging a transfer fee when you donate to the Van earthquake relief.

This week, I had many calls and emails from friends, asking if I was alright. We were safe, far from the earthquake, but also far from danger. Ankara still has earthquakes, but we live in an earthquake resistant building, in a neighborhood full of them. One of the reasons the people of the Van area suffered so much property damage and loss of life is that it is an impoverished area, with self built homes made of sun dried bricks.

All week I have been watching the news coverage, the tears falling down the lined faces of the tazes, the children standing in front of piles of rubble waiting for their parents to be uncovered. The men and women poking through the debris looking for their family members. I have always loved Turkey, and the Turkish people, the warmth and strength of them. This week has added another aspect to the relationship. When you grieve for something, or with someone, it or they becomes more a part of you. Right now I am grieving with my second country, for our people.

Challenges and Girly Stuff

A commentary on girly stuff. Normally I do not write often about my issues with Turkey, or with feminine issues. However, living in Turkey, sometimes there are challenges. Especially with the girly stuff. What I mean by that, is that in many areas of life my husband can aid my cultural assimilation, but he really has no idea what the Turkish terms for some of the things I ask him, especially when they pertain to women’s health or beauty issues. I research things on my own, but sometimes the translation for beauty items is not direct.

Some of the challenges pertaining to women’s products, is lack of variety. For menstruation products, they sell pads and OB tampons (without the applicator) ONLY. There are several brands and sizes of pads. There are several sizes of tampons as well, but OB seems to have cornered the Turkish market. I know this is a problem for some of my friends. Also, tampons are not sold in all grocery stores, which can definitely be a bummer. Though, they do sell condoms EVERYWHERE.

Well, away from feminine products and on to girly stuff. The other day I really needed a special shampoo. The saga went on for a few weeks. It all started like this…

I have very fine, fly away hair. I tried out a new product I had bought in the US. It is supposed to take care of flyaway hair and make it look smooth and sleek. Well—It does just that, all too well! This product was made of silicone and I could not seem to get it out of my hair. My hair looked lank and greasy even *right after* I washed it. Gross. Also I was limited to pony-tails, as otherwise I looked as if I had poor hygiene. I washed and washed my hair, but it did not improve. I looked it up online. I was supposed to use Clarifying Shampoo–whatever that was. Bülent did not know what it was, I asked some friends (in Turkish) and they were confused too. There was no direct translation. So I decided to do something I am know for—improvise.

First: I used Dish Soap (Dawn)—I thought, well it cleans dishes right? No go! Just dry and dirty hair!

Second: I used Dish Washer Detergent—because you know that stuff literally dissolved food left in pans. Didn’t work. Now I had a dry scalp and dirty hair.

Then I tried an apple vinegar and lemon juice mix which was supposed to “clarify” hair. The result—the bathroom smelled like vinegar, Oh Yay!

So then, I decided to bite the bullet and go to some super fancy hairdressers. I did buy some Kérastase Bain Clarifiant (Because Clarifying DOES translate more directly into French! Woot Woot!) So for 50 liras I got a bottle of fancy shampoo about twice the size of a travel bottle. Worth every penny. But if that hadn’t worked, my friend had given me some kitchen degreaser to try. We even tested if it would bleach my hair. I am SO glad I didn’t have to bust that out.

Moral of the story…

1)Bring clarifying shampoo in suitcase when travelling to Turkey,

2) Don’t use products in your hair that contain ingredients used for heavy duty engine protection.

3) Dishwashing Detergent is not meant for hair.

2 Comments

Filed under Ankara, Beauty

October 6, 2011

It is the little things…

I moved to Turkey almost 3 years ago, leaving behind almost all my my personal possessions in San Diego CA. This was really difficult. After I graduated from college Bülent and I moved to San Diego, and slowly started accumulating the things you need to make a house a home. A bed. A couch. Kitchen accessories. We could not afford to ship everything, so we left it behind and donated it to a very worthwhile charity. Some of the things I still miss. One of them is my first “grown up” purchase I paid for all on my own, a red leather (pull out) couch and matching chair.

I also miss my kitchen accoutrement, especially the cast iron pan and griddle I bought. Now, I could buy cast iron while I am in the states and bring it over here, but it is just too heavy. Cast iron is not as popular here, and I can not find some of the things I have been looking for, such as a 12 inch cast iron fry pan, and the Holy Griddle…I mean Grail. I love a big, two burner cast iron griddle, just like my mom had. Not only was it handy, but every time I use one I think of her and of cooking in our family kitchen. I have not been able to find anything like it. The closest thing was a little like this, and an arm and a leg.

But that is not THIS…

The cast iron griddle is great, for pancake and French toast, and really anything that needs a larger surface area. Also, the grill side is great for the inside-grilling of fish and chicken and especially veggies. You can use it to grill eggplant and make a super low fat eggplant parmigiana, with no frying at all.

Anyway, the other day, one of these cast iron griddles fell into my lap! My kanka Terry pulled one out her her cupboard and handed it to me. She said he had been feeling guilty owning it after I had been expounding about my search for the Holy Griddle. No guilt needed to be felt, but then again she is Catholic, so it could have been that. *wink wink* But since she has given it to me I have used it once or twice a week. Once for a grilled hot salad with zucchini, eggplant, tomato, onion and cauliflower with a garlic and rosemary infused olive oil rub which was awesome. This morning I made super yummy whole wheat pancakes. So now I own a little piece of home, and when I whip out my cast iron griddle, I think about my mom, and now also Terry.

***Terry—I will have you over for brunch and use the griddle as part of the payment installment. There will be bacon.

4 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

September 25, 2011

Two Countries=Two Weddings

Equals two anniversaries! Last week on 9/19 we had our second wedding anniversary, of our first year of marriage. One of the benefits of being a bicultural couple, is that you get two weddings and two anniversaries. Last year I blogged more about the adventures my family went on, than our Turkish wedding reception. Which was awesome. At our Turkish reception we had a live jazz band in an outdoor garden. Same players, same dress, different flowers, different tie. And I sang.

At the U.S. wedding Bülent sang me an amazing love song called “Hatırla Sevgilim” or “Remember Darling.” Not only was it a lovely song, but he has a beautiful voice.

Also, brand new gorgeous husband singing to you–

The stuff dreams are made of…

Wanting to be equally romantic, at the Turkish wedding, I sang Bülent a song.

(See look, same dress, veil and suit—different color tie)

Unfortunately, singing is not my gift. So really, it was very sentimental and romantic—because there was no other redeeming value. When I got up on stage with the band, one of them asked me what key I was singing in. I think the look of panic tipped her off—Key, What key? She said they would just follow me…The song, Üsküdar’a Gider İken, is a classic Turkish folk song. I would recommend listening to it, it is lovely and the rendition linked is great.

It is about the rain in Istanbul, a woman and a man. Clearly all the essentials for romance. Also it explains the pink umbrella I am brandishing in the photo. Yes, at one point I was swinging it around and about. Very sassily. It earned me a cheer from the guests.

So, happy 2nd 1st anniversary baby! We are on our way to a long life together. Let’s look at those numbers:

1 year of marriage
3 years in Turkey
7 years of living together
8 years together in total

This morning we made omelets and toast, then snuggled on the couch and drank our coffee, just like almost every Sunday for the last eight years. And you know what–I really don’t want to do anything else…Perfect. Just perfect.

1 Comment

Filed under Anniversary, Turkey, Wedding

September 18, 2011

Amos

In Turkey brown road signs signify historical sites. Bulent and I have a dream where one day we can take a road trip and follow every brown historical road sign that tickles our fancy. Well, when we were in Marmaris we were able to do just that, which lead us to the Ancient city of Amos, situated on Asarcık hill, above Kumlubük bay, near the town of Turunç.

To reach the ancient city, walk through the fragrant olive trees…

Climb up to the top of Asarcık hill…

Past the ruins of the city walls…

To where the city overlooks the sea on three sides, built on top of a spit of land protruding into the bay…

There are several sections of ruins of up the hill, including some residential areas, an amphitheater, and the walls of the ancient citadel.

We had a great time following the brown historical road sign, and hope that there are many more in the future.

2 Comments

Filed under History, Marmaris, ro, Road Trip, Turkey

September 5, 2011

Another Flat Jules Sighting!

Every year there is a 5k race at our town’s Old Home Day. When I went home in June my mom asked me if we could train for it and run it together. We thought it was going to be in early August. Unfortunately, the race took place after I left for Turkey. My mother and I still trained for it all summer. My mother rocked that race and ran it in a little over 30 minutes. While I was not there in person, I supported her by doing my own 5k run in Marmaris that day. I was a little disappointed to not make the race with her.

However, my Dad had a great idea… Flat Jules also made an appearance! After the Wellesley Reunion, my BFF from college mailed her to me, signed by all of my friends. So my parents cajoled Flat Jules down from her room in the attic for some photos with my mom after the race.

My mom graciously shared her race number with Flat Jules!

While we did not run the race together, we did have a great time training together this summer. It also gave me a great new outlet for stress and a new hobby. I have run almost every day since I have returned to Turkey, around the track in Ankara and by the sea in Marmaris. Maybe next year we will do another 5k together!

3 Comments

Filed under FamFam, Flat Jules, Mom, Running

August 28, 2011

Trip to Datça

The other day the whole family took a trip to the nearby town of Datça. It is about an hour down the peninsula. The ride is spectacular, through the mountains with the Aegean on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. We just wanted a change and to do a little sightseeing. Datça is harder to get to a much more isolated than Marmaris. While it does have a tourism trade the town is less built up, with fewer bars, and none of them blasting dance music to attract business. In our mind this was a big attraction. There were some lovely natural food stalls, where we bought some yummy raw almonds, organic capers and this lovely treat.

Translated it is “Sugar Almonds.” It reminded me of a lighter version on peanut brittle with fresh almonds. Delicious. After walking about the town, we headed back to the harbor, hungry and thirsty. One of Datça’s mainstays is fishing, so we had to stop by and grab some fresh fish…and cold beer.

There were quite a few things on the menu, but we saw the sardines get carried off the boat right in front of us, which made it easy to order. I loved that they fileted each one and removed the head and the spine. I am not a huge fan of eating bones, even in little fish, and end up spending a lot of time picking them out.

We had a lovely time, and then headed back to our Marmaris…

We spend the night reading with wine and beer in the garden, enjoying those mountain breezes.

2 Comments

Filed under Datca, Marmaris, Road Trip, Turkey, Vacation

August 21, 2011

Oh The Time of The Fig!

We have been vacationing in Marmaris for about a week now (more on that later). Now, we are here at a delightful time, the TIME OF THE FIG! There is nothing better and sweeter than a nice juicy ripe fig. There are trees all over the place here, lining the streets, laden with ripe heavy juicy figs. The best figs are the ones that look like they have gone bad. See that one there..

The bottom has started to split. It will be soft to the touch and if you gently squeeze it a little drop of juice will start to bulge out. PERFECT.

I am eating figs left and right. Figs with breakfast, figs as a snack, figs with wine in the garden. They do not sell them out of season, and the ones they ship to Ankara are not as nearly as tasty as the slightly misshapen ones from the garden here. Oh the figs!

5 Comments

Filed under Fig, Marmaris, Turkey, Vacation

August 14, 2011

Camping in Maine

A few weekends ago I went camping in York, ME. As a kid we always used to go camping on the Maine Coast or up in Canada. Many of my best childhood memories are tied up with swimming in the icy cold water, sitting around campfires and hunkering down in the pop-up with my family.

So when my family had a chance to go a few weekends ago, despite my father’s illness and chemotherapy regimen, we all jumped at he chance. We drank beer, played scrabble, listened to the ocean and hunkered down in the camper while a magnificent thunder storm rumbled and dumped rain on us.

When you grow up some things change, or become more complicated. Heartbreak can no longer be cured with a kiss and a cookie. But then again, some things never change. Icy water+Camper+ Family = Always a blast!

2 Comments

Filed under Camping, FamFam, Maine, US

July 25, 2011

2nd Year!

366 days ago I got married. Today is the 1st day of my second year of marriage! (Which means yesterday was my 1st anniversary-but I couldn’t post since I had to finish a paper for my Masters)

My husband is actually in Turkey, and I am in NH—So we did not celebrate this anniversary in person together. We had a romantic dinner before he left for Turkey, and a Skype yesterday. When I get back we will do something on the date of our Turkish reception as well.

It seems crazy that I have been married a year. But crazy in a good way. Like Crazy Awesome! Living with your BFF who also happens to be your lover is a great way to spend your life.

He makes life exciting. He whisks me away for romantic weekends and is always on the look out for things I will enjoy. He knows when I am having a bad day and pre-orders take out for us. He holds me when I cry and and when I laugh.