I lived in Izmir 1968-1970 and worked in Ankara and Istanbul 1977. I was in Datca when the astronauts landed on the moon and translated the broadcast from Voice of America for my friends in the cayhane. When I said "Kartal indi!" everyone shook my hand. :-)
At that time I could speak comfortably and read Orhan Pamuk without using a dictionary too much. ;-) I have always been interested in your fascinating country and I found myself very comfortable with the Turkish people. ( my room mate in college was Cem Kozlu and we continue to be close friends ) Istanbul is one of my favorite places in the world and Turkish food is, of course, the best in the world. ( I wish I could have dinner tonight at Korfez or just Hacibaba or someplace in the Cicek Pasaji. I remember the OLD Galata Koprusu - the one that burned - and many nights I in the fish restaurants that hung out over the water ... )
On my last visit ( 1999 ) I was impressed with the very nice blend of the old and modern in Istanbul and Izmir ( but of course I didn't recognize Izmir and I miss the dolmuslar. ) ( sorry, still using the yabanci klavyesi :-) And I remember Bodrum when there was never more than two fishing boats in the harbor ...
Turkey will always have a very special place in my heart. Actually, as I write this, I am looking at a picture of Ataturk hanging on my office wall.
>Do you know Turkish? :)
>It's difficult to see anyone can speak in Turkish.
>
>Tesekkurler,
>
Charles Hankey
Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened.
- Thomas Hardy
Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.
-- T. S. Eliot
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
- Ben Franklin
Pardon him, Theodotus. He is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.
