Bilecik, Turkey. My New Hometown.

Teaching, Teaching, Teaching.

Classes have started and I've been thrust into the world of teaching University. I have an astonishing number of students - upwards of 180 - who are bound to keep me on my toes. Luckily, despite all the rhetoric I've heard of students disliking English, they seem very enthusiastic and engaged. This is good given my emphasis on verbal communicative English. Now if only my Turkish would suddenly kick in, I'd be able to identify important questions and rude comments. As of now, however, I've encountered no problems. It's especially nice to see them outside of class, tossing me a wave from across the street, or issuing an enthusiastic handshake. The place I'm currently staying is in the center of town. I literally cannot be outside for more than 10 minutes before a student waves me town or tries to engage in some conversation. It's nice.

One unexpected reality is that the students are very new to speaking English. This does not necessarily mean, however, that they are unaccustomed to reading and writing English. From what I've gathered, students know grammar quite well. Speaking is simply a realm of language learning they haven't yet entered.

Walking about town and on campus is a hoot. The stares I acquire are enough to make anyone blush, especially a tall, fair-skinned, non-Turkish anomaly of a man. It's fair to say I could walk around Salt Lake City in fish nets, and a huge purple Willy-Wonka hat and inherit the same stares. I'll get used to being the foreigner, and by that time people will be over it. Go figure.

It's nice to have meet the people I work work directly with. They are younger ( in their 20s) and incredibly helpful. I am heavily indebted to their hospitality and resourcefulness. I'm sure I will grow close with them, and establish some meaningful relationships in this beautiful country.

At night, if I'm not lesson planning, I'm outside at a cafe reading and sipping tea. A few nights ago, I sat alone at the cafe nearest my hotel smoking nargile (hookah), drinking chai, and dipping into Orphan Pamluk's "My Name is Red." The call to prayer, what I missed dearly from my time in Cairo, rang out and saturated the streets. It's an indescribable feeling, hearing the call to prayer on such a night. A mix of wonder and peace - a feeling I truly appreciate. Everything seemed to slow down, and I absorbed the moment fully. It was good.

So I'm thinking I may slip downstairs and sit at a cafe for a bit now. I could go for some tea.

Bu-bye for now.

The Mausoleum

Bilecik, Turkey. My New Hometown.

The first part of my blog entry will be formatted similarly to a visa/mastercard advertisement. I feel it's an appropriate and direct portrayal of my first few days in Bilecik.

Cigarettes offered: 10

Cups of tea presented: 27

Compulsory tours of the town: 3

Handshakes: 13

Turkish Hospitality: priceless

Upon entry to Bilecik, I let out a long sigh of relief. My hopes were confirmed when I arrived at the bus station, took a look around, and noticed people, buildings, civilization. You see, I wasn't sure if a town of 45,000 meant dispersed farmland, or, as I've encountered, a small albeit bustling metropolis. For a town with so few people, this place is buzzing. And wonderfully enough, my guide person (a colleague at Bilecik University), showed me to a nice hotel for the next few days until an apartment is found. I have a small balcony that looks over onto a small park where people drink chai until late hours of the night.

One thing I'm wary of is the fact that few (very few) people speak english. My conversations, then, are limited for the time being. I find myself writing down new words frequently, and consulting the Turkish-English dictionary ad nauseam. The turkish word for car is 'araba' for all you inquisitive folks out there.

So despite getting a handle on my digs, I still have no idea what I'm doing tomorrow. I'll be picked up at 8:30 and driven to campus where I have an office with said colleague. I believe tomorrow is more devoted to logistical/administrative things than teaching, which is probably best.

But don't mind that... Turkish hospitality: what a wonderful thing! I've been treated like a King, and to fill you in, guests are traditionally treated as guests from God. I'm pleased to see the tradition lives. I'm apparently very interesting, and I've been inheriting a barrage of bewildered, or cautious, or warm stares from people around town. I feel, in a way, like a pet monkey. I see, I do, and that's how it works. Simple tasks, like saying "thank you" are met with silly smiles and rapid dialogue amongst friends. I'm toying with the idea of telling people I'm Matt Damon, and that I'm taking a year off of acting to teach english at Bilecik University. I'll let you know how that goes.

So now I'm back in my hotel room, absolutely exhausted. It's funny how the unfamiliar functions as an energy drain. It only hits you when you lay down, but it's effect is instant and nearly paralyzing. Goodnight all. Sleep well.

Off to Bilecik

I have to admit, I'm a little uneasy. I've planned my day up until I get off the bus from Ankara to Bilecik, but the vast unknown awaits. I imagine I'll be picked up from the station. That's what I've been told. But then what? I have no idea where I'll be living, what I'll be teaching, who I'll be teaching, whether English is a futile language in such a place, and most importantly, whether I'll find some souls to spend time time. Its daunting, considering all of this, but so be it.

Orientation in Ankara was wonderful. I met a ton of great friends who find themselves in similar situations. We'll support one another well, I know, and provide a couch to sleep on come travel time. Some of the areas of interest we've visited were wonderful. The mausoleum for example (resting place of Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk) was exquisite and powerful, and the Kocatepe Mosque was breathtaking.

Well it's time to finish packing (again), say a prayer to whatever's out there in the cosmos, and hit the dusty trail. I'm sure there'll be more to say soon. Insha'allah I'll have internet connection enough to help me do that.