"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.

Good Morning!

A prelude to another super-steamy summer day

Balık Rakı / Fish and Raki

One more delightful, delicious meal in Turkey... 

only 11 days to go!

Iced Coffee, Turkish style

At my favorite coffee shop, Cherrybean Coffee, for one last visit...

Col. Mustard, in the salon, with the plaque

What am I going to do with this?

How Things Have Changed

All the buildings in this photo are new since 2013

 

Living up on the hill in Sarıyer has sure changed a lot since August 2013. When we arrived, about half of the area was in various stages of construction--from fenced in fields to open pits ready for foundations to skeletons of apartment blocks. There was one small, dingy grocery store. It felt like we lived just outside of the border to civilization. Here are some things that have changed in the area in just the last few months.

1. Five newly completed apartment complexes, only one field left to build on
2. Two decent grocery stores, both selling alcohol (!)
3. A coffee shop whose wifi reaches the bus stop
4. A pub with Guinness on tap (!!)
5. A "Subway" (not that I really want their sandwiches, but there they are)

I mean, really, we're leaving just as this place is turning into a liveable neighborhood... sigh.

Walk in the Hood

 That white smudge on the grass is the neighborhood alpha dog, Pamuk (Cotton). He followed us for about 10 minutes on our walk and then got distracted by rolling around in the new grass.

Suddenly, playground! We haven't walked this way in a while I guess. The playground equipment fits in with the candy colored apartment buildings.

In the center distance, you can probably see the minaret of the mosque that is right across from our building. The blue and orange things are exercise equipment. Of course, these are placed in the direct sun. 

How the park is really used by the Koç University students.

Another gift from the KU students: "Base Station" graffiti.

On the other side of the park, there is a dirt road to a lake. Up ahead are the goats and the goatherd.

There's the lake and the minaret again...

Weekend Visit!