"Market Day" on Campus

What the UA calls a "farmer's market"

 On some random Wednesdays throughout the semester, there is a farmer's market on campus. Of all those tents (3x more than what  you can see in the photo), only two were selling vegetables. The rest were artsy-craftsy, baked goods, lunch trucks, and so much honey. I wonder if there is a seating chart for all of the competing honey-vendors. That could get interesting, I think. 

Everything is insanely expensive--compared to Turkey and even compared to the organic produce in local stores. I spent $6 on a quinoa-veggie salad for lunch; it was good, but was it that good? Of course, the smart thing to do is bring your own lunch or eat at home, which I can do these days.

I also spent some quality time at the turtle pond--even better because it was free :) 

Finding Ways to Be

If it weren't for the very basic problem of not enough income, I'd be pretty excited about my current employment situation. It feels reasonable to teach two composition classes (with a total of 50 students). One good part is having some time: to think, to draw, to read, to plant some plants.

Walking the Clouds, Ed. Grace Dillon (Indigenous Science Fiction)

 

We're still putting the apartment together, but some really important progress has been made. The patio will be enjoyed this evening! Lafuma lawn chairs, plants, and beer--huzzah!!

Where's Turkuaz?

Where's Turkuaz? It's still here, in the layers... 

Almost one month ago we were just beginning to pack, give useful stuff away to friends, and eat and drink our way through a movable feast of good-byes with our Istanbul friends. Now it feels like our life in Turkey was years ago, but this life in Tucson is so new, so scattered, so cluttered with stuff and boxes that it doesn't feel real either.

I am grateful. For the friends who wished us well on our journey, for our families who opened up the safety net wide for the best possible return, and for our friends in Tucson who are welcoming us back into their lives. I am lucky, too. At the last moment, I got a job teaching English 101 at the UA. 

So, there's a lot in transition and a lot to figure out, again. Welcome back! Hoş bulduk, Tucson!

Late Night Minibüs to Sarıyer

 

00.30

Why is this picture shaky? We're barreling down the road full speed--just hang on like normal. Also, this bus is remarkably empty! It's harder to take a picture when there are twenty more people standing in the aisle.

Penultimate Trip to KU Campus

I made a quick trip to campus today for the express purpose of getting my last "lunch" stipend on my SETcard. The next task is to figure out how to spend 200TL on the card between today and Tuesday!

While I was there, I took a few more photos from the tower for another view of the third bridge and surrounding area.

Bosphorus Boat Tour

Our friend invited us to come on a Bosphorus boat tour organized by her summer language course. It was a beautiful evening to see the city again from the water.

 

The second bridge to the south of us

 

One of many travelling companions

 

Sunset over Europe

 

A view of Sarıyer! 

 

The third bridge in progress

 

Anadolu Kavağı, where we had dinner

Ahhhh, too bad this wasn't taken with a real camera! 

Well, it was pretty, believe me...

Rumelihısarı

One way to get to Asia

Old fort, new mosque

 A patient friend waiting in the shade

Fig trees can grow anywhere!

After three trips to Turkey, I hadn't yet been to Rumelihısarı, until yesterday! I guess it's better late than never, but it would have been nice to see it before they started building a mosque smack in the middle of the historical site--not only that, but it's a squat, square-ish building which fights with the semicircular shape of the amphitheater.