5am in Istanbul
It's a jetlagged induced sleepless night for me here in Istanbul. I haven't even been here for 48 hours yet, but it feels like it's been much longer.
The majority of our first day was spent with our Turkish host (more like our surrogate mom) who helped us buy necessary items, including a sim card for me. We explored the neighborhood the university is in. It's very nice and student oriented. The five of us had tea at her house while she went over our next five months in Turkey. It looks to be an eventful semester.
I feel like I'm in my element here. When I was in Russia, I always felt a hint of uneasiness, even when I had a hold of the language and the city. I looked at disgust at the places and the people and was constantly frustrated. I was uncomfortable with the rude, abrupt, and anti-social demeaner Russians kept while outside of their house. I felt like I was constantly fighting an uphill battle.
The farthest is the truth in Istanbul. They seem to have a happier disposition about life and their fellow people. They are masters of retail. Shopping isn't just about making a purchase. It starts with a cup of tea and chit chat, eventually leading to making a deal. My suite mates are all from Istanbul (although one used to live in Albania and speaks upwards of seven languages). They made it very clear that whatever I want or need, they are here to help. All Turks see to it that foreigners are well taken care of, as one pointed out, you need some hand holding in the beginning.
In our first day here, we already had a few squirmishes. I accidentally used the mens restroom in the dorm, which was caught by a guard who knocked on the door telling me to get out. Too late! He firmly told me afterwards that it was the wrong room; he was not happy. Our group also got in trouble for being too loud in the dorm. I guess Saturday nights are a little quieter here.
I'm going to give sleep another shot
The majority of our first day was spent with our Turkish host (more like our surrogate mom) who helped us buy necessary items, including a sim card for me. We explored the neighborhood the university is in. It's very nice and student oriented. The five of us had tea at her house while she went over our next five months in Turkey. It looks to be an eventful semester.
I feel like I'm in my element here. When I was in Russia, I always felt a hint of uneasiness, even when I had a hold of the language and the city. I looked at disgust at the places and the people and was constantly frustrated. I was uncomfortable with the rude, abrupt, and anti-social demeaner Russians kept while outside of their house. I felt like I was constantly fighting an uphill battle.
The farthest is the truth in Istanbul. They seem to have a happier disposition about life and their fellow people. They are masters of retail. Shopping isn't just about making a purchase. It starts with a cup of tea and chit chat, eventually leading to making a deal. My suite mates are all from Istanbul (although one used to live in Albania and speaks upwards of seven languages). They made it very clear that whatever I want or need, they are here to help. All Turks see to it that foreigners are well taken care of, as one pointed out, you need some hand holding in the beginning.
In our first day here, we already had a few squirmishes. I accidentally used the mens restroom in the dorm, which was caught by a guard who knocked on the door telling me to get out. Too late! He firmly told me afterwards that it was the wrong room; he was not happy. Our group also got in trouble for being too loud in the dorm. I guess Saturday nights are a little quieter here.
I'm going to give sleep another shot