Ukraine to Holland

white sheets, white cotton blanket, white walls, white carpet, white linen covered chairs, yellow window curtains...the air is so clear and clean to breathe

sitting on my warm comfy bed, not worrying about cockroaches climbing up the wall to get me....thinking back on my month in ukraine...emotional heart confusion why did I leave turkey?....but I know its right....knowing that the company is going nowhere fast, but loving the people I am with. The countryside walks, the millions of stars, the awkward walking paths to the office past goats and cows chained to the ground....dodging sharp thistles or dried grass poking my feet...not to mention the poop here and there on the street. Having a great view of Lenin tower as the village center with over growing grass through the cement cracks. All the cement buildings, I would have never gone in if not for Alwin's first day tour of the village...these are the shops- pointing to random doors along the street...this is the park...as we walk thru man planted trees strewn with trash....  :) 

driving out of the village Novokievka, Manyu asked from the front seat...so what will we miss?....2 seconds later...done!  Not much. Maybe going to get chemical ice cream after lunch.... night time walks watching the heat lightening in the distance....the babushkas on bikes, the goose herders...but not much missed there....

I went to the beach a couple times, the first time made me miss turkey too much so i was sad....but it was enjoyable. The jellyfish freaked me out so I was not in for too long, the other times in Skadovsk was a time from another dimension....the sea weed piled high smelled disguusting, and the families were nestled inbetween the piles picnicing....fat people burnt everywhere, stagnant water where people were swimming in the 'ocean'.....tacky, gaudy styles...like bright silver butterflies on sandals with too big fake diamonds

I enjoyed driving out of the village to the airport, past the ditches filled with marajuana spreading for miles, all the street produce venders, the Lada (russian cars) filled with water melons. You learn to not be too attached to anything in Ukraine, so until I was on the plane in the air, I wasn't expecting to actually leave yet. Ill miss the small things....the cleaning lady who spoke turkish to me, the pipe hanging out of the wall that came cold from the well, the drivers trickily not wearing seatbelts, but instead draping it over their shoulder, all the short cuts taken off roading at what seemed like random intervals, the internal freedom of wearing the comfy pants with the hole in the leg just incase I feel like fitting in....so yes, there were enjoyable things to remember about Ukraine...but more to just remind me that it will get better from here on out.

I am now in Vlodrop, after some convincing....dreamily in my white spacebox with Tegan. It is like a luxury palace, mirror, a tub, comfy bed. :)  The atmosphere here is relaxing. I dont think it is possible to get enough walks through the woods, or past Maharishi's house. Tegan and I take any excuse we can to check and see if there is Chai or deserts in the dining hall.  We arrived and worked long hours all week, so this weekend we are enjoying napping....eating....laughing....napping....agreeing we should do something....but just napping...

we are waiting out some decisions to be made about our bioteams future...where to go.....

:D

Stadium Atmosphere

I knew I was getting closer as the street filled with more and more excited people. We entered a few minutes late to the depressing 0-1 score. In a rush for food Oguzhan bought me my first Burger King burger...we don't talk about how I kindof liked it... eeek! (heh I only tried it as part of the experience of firsts.) We found a place to stand under cover from the cold rain sheeting down, within the crowd of men, the smoke, the steam of yelling and singing voices....with 30 minutes left in the first half we scored 2 so fast I almost missed them, each goal within 15 minutes of the other....jumping up and down excitement...hugging and high fives... :)
...the murmur of the crowd growing and falling with the peak of action or frustration...
Second half France scores, 2-2 if we tie we lose.... I deeply enjoyed hearing all the Turkish voices splashing about and I enjoy even more deeply knowing that Oguzhan is happy I cannot understand the true crude meaning of the delicately chosen words spoken between a passionately puffed cigarette....the cheerleader has the crowd singing and chanting...with the jumping and the smoke in the rafters...we are still tied as France's defense is executing aggresively...and as 2 minutes are counting down the stadium feels grim but anxiously hopeful. I am almost falling off the seat I am standing on trying to sing the words I don't know in the excitement....and with almost no hope left we SCORRREE!!! Galatasaray WINSSS!
It was the most fantastic game, fulfilling my dream and enjoying it with Oguzhan. It was top on my list to go to a futbol match and it could not have been more perfect, unless ofcourse if Niyazi was with us :)

A day In The Life...

So much to write about; wonderful memories these past few months. A life I never dreamed of... The horrible stenches through the streets. Bus rides along the water early to work. The sun glaring off the morning water forcing me to catch its beauty instead by its reflection in the window or the stormy clouds cushioning the light to my eyes. The fishermen dependably at work...or play along the water. The same lady on the same orange swivel workout machine each morning as I ride past, the same adrenaline...did I account for the rain and traffic? Do I have time to catch the next bus or should I catch a Taksi? Am I on time? Can I walk?
....I miss this bus ride from Istinye along the coast each morning to Beşikteş, but I now have a new series of favorite patterns I enjoy every morning...it starts with always getting a seat on the bus from Rumeli Hisarüstü to the Levent Metro...enjoying the musicians in the walkways...or the children running around the escalators up to excited mischeif, I often cannot decide which I would rather...listen to my own music or wait and see what the people are blasting on their own earphones... then out of the Metro with the crowds of people walking through the glitzy streets of Nişantaşi...the busy shops, the sımıt street stands, catching the time on a large Rolex watch in a window as I walk past Gucci...Armani, while smelling the flowers from the gypsy stands. I enjoy every morning seeing the Polisman guarding the Polis Station holding his machine gun to his chest and standing with his lips pursed like a 6 year old playing JI-Jo. I stroll past, trying to take in more of his appearance every morning. I skirt the rain down pour by jumping from veranda to veranda, annoyingly realizing 80% of the occupants of this city are shorter than me, and their lack of height also lacks consideration for their umbrellas at perfect face-poke height. So if you picture me dodging umbrellas, strategically cutting through the heavy walking and car traffic, possibly singing a little tune to myself while my hair is flying loose and frizzing around my face...you'd be accurate... I arrive at 65 Macka, purple-red canopy to Adhal, the security man, grasping his heart in ache declaring his love for me every morning and afternoon of my departure. We share polite good mornings and have a nice day in Turkish...and awkward smiles as I wait for the elevator...it is indeed a highlight. (I hope my entertainment doesn't make me an evil person?)...I fear it does....
On my way home I often idle near a shop imagining outfits Id like to wear...or entertaining myself with the euro trends thinking...could I really be That person?... I might enjoy a hot milk (sojak süt) at a cafe which I may accept for free from the kindly cute Turkman cashier. I walk easily back to the metro casually wondering at the all the feet shuffling past me, all the coats shouldering their important way by, and all the creased foreheads pensively determined. I sometimes catch a glimpse revealing life off the main street: a soccer goal in a courtyard or more inadvertant shops down a corridor...the man I bought a scarf from on the street is getting used to my passingby and we share a smile and an iyi akşamlar (good evening). I then descend back into the music of the metro and wave to the man behind the token booth, both awknowledging our first encounter which began as a few stressful moments of my miscommunication trying to get change for a 20 where I am losing my patience until I embaressedly realize he gave me the right change. We have only shared big smiles after my many 'pardon pardon!'...hehe
Out of the Metro at Levent I walk past pastry shops, past a window where many men are making something like çey köfte, cross the street to my favorite window full of puppies and kitties and sometimes bunnies....my heart saddens as I want to take them all home, but enjoys the momentary connection with the other onlookers sharing eachothers' thoughts. I then descend 10 steps, then 10 steps, then 9 steps, walking through a car lot to catch my next bus back home. I often get off one stop early in order to linger in view of the water, leaning on the railing and letting my thoughts simmer or allowing the drizzle to relax any heated passions I felt too heavily throughout the day...before walking home.

Bebek, Istanbul-Nero Cafe; January 27, 2009 6:30pm

The night is outstandingly beautiful...my heart melts and mixes with the lights splaying out over the water. Its all so perfect, the boats sitting in their relaxed haze for the evening breezes, the birds rocking to the silent lulliby of the water. The water. With every breath it rushes into my veins lingering in my heart, escaping only in the exuberant smile reaching to the stars thanking God for this moment and His perfect creations. Its like my body is on fire with the bliss raging serenely over my body; I can only tap my healed foot on the pavement to the beat of my happiness soaring out through the night owning itself, owned by no one but the honking, the dogs playing and the birds soaring along with me.

Istanbul update....and stories

I have almost been in Istanbul for a month. The time has flown by, and at the same time it is warped and I feel I have been here for months.....I have been researching job opportunities, and its hard when I dont know what is available, nor do I know what I want exactly, other than to be able to enjoy my life in Istanbul and the water...and I am aware that this is probably not possible, as once you get a job it takes you away from what you love....I have never supported this way of life, always hoping to create my jobs to be my life and not running my life....so this balanced with figuring out what I want as I go, has been an adventure these couple of weeks. I researched aupair, and tutoring...getting good responses with greataupair.com. Through a referrence I am currently employeed as an english teacher for a 2 year old girl. It is a first for both the family and me, and so we are both openly communicating as to the best situation...living out as they are over staffed in the apartment, the hours and such we will see how it all works out. I am also looking into a school in Kadikoy that just reached me about a job teaching kids and adults english there as well. 

I am currently staying with my new best friend Burcu (procounced Burju) who is the greatest support while I come home exhausted from the spoiled 2 year old, or freaking out about where I should stay...haha We have so much fun and support one another, its like we are sisters! So refreshing! 

The family I work for is in a ritzy area of Nisantasi. Their security doorman has asked me out for tea, escorted me to the bus stop, and we have shared in an embarressing miscommunication... where he was speaking Turkish to the girl I work with, Mabell, where I thought he was asking if I speak any Turkish, so as I am getting into the elevator I motion with two fingers saying,...I know a small amount...to see him taken aback and motion to me with his hands....biiiig.  ...Im like....huh?....as the elevator door closes....

And Mabell said that he was asking if I want a Turkish boyfriend.....lol I fell over in the elevator laughing, to Kayra's (the little girls amusement)...realizing that I just offended his manhood as a Turkishmen.......hahahaha...oops!

This is the first entertaining experience that has happened lately, the others are small and usually concern elderly Turkish ladies thanking me for giving them my seat on the bus, and before they realize I dont speak much Turkish they ask me all about if Im married or not...and to their sad amazement...I am not.

ooo I tried on sexy boots the other day! That was a highlight...I didn't buy as they weren't so comfortable and I was only looking....but it put an extra fun in my bounce as I left the store.

I enjoyed a cold walk around the Sunday market at Ortokoy. I had nothing to do as 2 of my 3 apartment searches canceled that afternoon, so I made my way to anywhere...ended up being Ortokoy, enjoying watching all the ladies constantly trying to get more business than their neighbor...I found a place to sit right in front to watch, which was perfect because I realized this grizzled old lady next to me seemed to be the runner of the whole event. They placed their booths in the small walkway from the boat port, so loads of people walk by at a time, and they are motioning with the cooking tongs...merhaba! merhaba! spinach..potato...cheese...sausage...over and over, and if the ladies are not motioning enough she yells out from her seat...and their tongs motion gets more enthusiastic.... as someone stops at a booth the old lady jumps up and ushers them to be the customer for the booth next door....or stands in front of the lady's tongs to get them to go to another place....it was all done very artfully and I enjoyed watching for a half hour...naturally being the customer for the lady she was not supporting.  :D  But as I left, I wondered if it was all for show, because they seemed to all be a team of some sort....

As I left, I looked up into a familiar face, which shocked us both. Anil, who helped me find my way home one night....It all starts on a bus through Besiktes...I asked the lady next to me if she spoke english, Im wondering if this bus goes to Etiler after Bebek...? and she doesn't understand anything except that she is getting off at Bebek and I should get off too and she will call her son for help because he speaks english....as I was getting off at Bebek anyway I got off with her, and was trying to tell her no no no its ok, I will get a Taxi, I dont need help ....but he arrived and helped me get a Taxi which was nice, and then ok, thank you, goodbye! (never to see eachother again, naturally as its a city of 18 million....) but there he was smiling at me in Ortokoy...I was startled at such a coincidence, especially thinking over all the random events that played throughout my day to have me standing here at this specific moment. We were both startled and laughing. We talked for a bit, he introduced me to his 7 guy friends, who were all startled and uncomfortably laughing about the foreign girl along his side at Burger King...and then he helped me find my next bus....it was a nice additive to the day of cold confusion...and bitter disappointment about an apartment in Osmanbey....but that is a story for another time.

Istanbuuuull.... :D

Country girl in Istanbul... :0D

I have been in Istanbul for a week now. I arrived sleeping on the train, woken up at 1AM to get out and buy my Visa, and in the morning hearing a man singing...Gooood Morrrning Istanbul!!! over and over, so everyone will get up as we were arriving. I watched the sun rise over the Bosphurous my first morning as I entered the city on the train....and Mustafa and Oguzhan were there at the station to pick me up, so welcoming and accomodating. I mentioned I dont eat meat...and they were like...yes yes...no pork or cow?......NOTHING!!??? no meat?!! and they decided I have not lived yet, as I have never been to Turkey, nor have I had a real Kebab....and Oguzhan decides that I must change my ways in Turkey. I happily agree. For breakfast that morning I joined him and his friends, and I tried the spicy sausage...it was good, but Im so not used to it...or the idea of eating animal....but we will see.
My stay here has truly been a dream. Niyazi's friends are absolutely wonderful people, so open and so fun.
My day constists of waking up...later and later...as we stay out later and later....my day is simple...I have been resting and getting well after a bad sore throat all week...making some food, studying a bit of Turkish...by the evening I enjoy walking down to Bebek (or getting a taxi as the hill is stupidly steep)...a very popular district on the water, coffee shops, cafes...bars....restaurants, a little park. Bebek means Baby in Turkish. It is breathtaking everytime I walk along the water, the lights of the Asian side all over the hill side lighting up ancient buildings, all the boats, from a beat up dingy to a glitzy beautiful wooden yacht docked by the pathway...
Ozy has taken me out to really nice places and has shown me around the different main areas, we have SUCH a great time. I love his company, he is helping me with my Turkish, and always tests me by asking...'what is this place called..?' or 'what is the name of this dessert..?' I love it! And happily remember most of the time....
I visited the Blue Mosque the other day, It was stunning. The day was cloudy and rainy, but the building had an ancient presence. I arrived right at Prayer time, with the Call to Prayer singing through the city, back and forth between the Mosques. That night we visited Taksim, and then back to Bebek meeting more of Ozy's friends. I love the life here. Its funny bc Im such a small town girl at heart...going to bed early...I enjoy knitting by the fire...such a grandmother! But there is always so much going on and so many smiles and open hearts to meet!!! Life is so full!!! I just can't believe it everyday that I am in Istanbul. I always have to just stop and breath it in. My heart melts every day. Life is just too full of possibilities, I can do anything, and be anything, its almost too much at times. haha I hope to find a place to stay for a while longer and meet more people and emerse myself more into the city.
HAHA! This week around 10 or 11 I was literally getting ready for bed and Ozy calls....'So! are you ready to go Clubbing?!....Ill pick you up in an hour...' 'YES! ok!' (get out of my PJs....its quite sweet of him to think I need and hour to get ready...which I sadly dont have much clothes or any makeup...so Im ready in about 5 minutes....sweet!) But even tho I feel badly dressed and slightly out of place at times, I love it. Its the whole experience of shattering who I am used to being, what I am used to doing and feeling comfortable with and what I am used to wanting or knowing to be possible is beyond any of my wildest dreams...but simple at the same time.
A country girl in the city. lol That's me right now....its quite embarressing at times....but what the hell...who cares?
haha

Grecian Christmas

I slept a bit later than usual getting up around 9:30, went down to happy merry christmas hugs and faces. The day was nice and relaxed, I finished some art projects with maps and newspaper scraps by the fire, made sugar cookie dough...relaxed. We opened presents giving the dogs their bones first, they gave Emily and I wonderful surong/scarves from India. Perfect for traveling, I don't think I have taken it off yet...Emily and I had 2 photos printed, one of us together laughing in the garden, and another of the dogs, and I made photo frames out of rocks and sticks I found around the place. For Emily I made a mock up of a stonewall we would make, by glueing a few small stones together, and then a small rock stick frame with a cut out of us together from Naxos. We ate a great meal at around 3. They had a turkey with potatoes and carrots, and Irini made me nuts burgers.... there was cranberry sauce!!!! (epic) mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and carrots in cream sauce. She also made this amazing, no bake peach cheesecake goodness.
We then watched Love Actually, and afterward I made the sugar cookies. I experimented with coloring the icing red with beet juice...it made a pretty pink, mainly bc I was too lazy to get another beet from the garden...they turned out well. Then Irini and I watched 'About A Boy', super wonderful movie...went to bed around 1 am.
It was extremely heart warming having such a wonderful Christmas in Greece, thinking over all the events of my life to randomly become right now...with otherwise strangers....and still feeling like home.