The Last Three Nights

The last couple of nights have been a little nuts. It first started on Wednesday, when Verena, and Anna invited me after Turkish class to go see a movie, Revolutionary Road. I thought that it would be a cool movie to go see. Unfortunately, the movie wasn't coming to Istanbul for another two weeks. We figured this out while at the movie theater. We ate dinner first, and then realized that we couldn't see the movie tonight. We then met up with a couple of other guys that showed us a pretty good bar where we could get cheaper drinks. This made it an extremely fun and educational night. I got to meet two new people that night: Chris and Kemal. Much of the conversation dealt with me having to clean up a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions about America. Its fine by me though. I got to learn a little about Bulgaria and how Kemal, who is Bulgarian is actually ethnically Turkish. His family was one of those groups that found themselves on the wrong side of the border when the Ottoman Empire fell. Also he told us how they were trying to regain their Turkish citizenship back but the government blocked them. It was strange hearing that. My guess was that they were busy dealing with the refugee problem coming from the former area known as Yugoslavia which caused a lot of ethnic tensions in the region. He also reaffirmed my suspicion that a lot of people get their information about Americans through American movies. Then he said that he saw American Pie...I was like "Oh boy. Garson! 50cl Efes istiyorum. I am going to need it." Basically they think American woman are very loose and that the guys are drunken partiers. However, they are absolutely amazed at how America elected a minority to the highest office in the land. They also have faith that Obama will change the way the United States operates. I hope so too. Chris then got into a heated debate about who is superior though: men or woman. Verena was getting frustrated by this though. I tried to turn the conversation into a humorous joke. I started by saying that "Men are superior to woman for one thing only: we can efficiently go number 1 while standing," but I then added that "however, after one Beer it is hard to hit the Turkish toilet." Then I got to say that I really can't say that guys are superior over woman because my sister would make a compelling argument against that. I then tried to state the genious of woman by telling them the story of woman in Afghanistan. "When the Taliban were in control, the woman had to walk 10 feet behind the men at all times. When the Taliban were ousted the woman still walked 10 feet behind. When a reporter asked about this to one of the woman, she just wispered in her ear and said, "landmines." Overall though it was a fun time and I got to make new friends.

The next night, Grace, Katie, Jess, Erman and I went to Club Airport for a party being hosted by the Exchange Commision. It was fun for a bit. The music was nice at first, and the atmosphere was inviting but after a little bit it got old. All the drinks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic, were really expensive along with the food. Also they kept repeating the same genre over, and over, and over agian: Techno/Electronica. Also when we left, the club tried to rip us off by charging us 10 lira for taking our coats/jackets. However, I pretended to be deaf from the loud music, and also drunk so I just stumbled out of the bar and they didn't bother going after me. I got away that night. It was an enjoyable night but it had its downs. I am not ever going to return to that club. It was outrageously expensive!On Friday, I tried to relax a bit more but to no avail. I did go to the spice market that day with Verena, Kristina, and Katie W. I now fully appreciate that area of the city. The cats here are nice and playful. We were playing with one very cute kitten for a while in one store that was selling cook stuff. There the shop owners don't harass me unless they have free samples of Turkish food, and there are other stores in the area that offer practical Turkish merchandise. For instance, to look less like a tourist when I am around Istanbul, I bought a messenger bag that I constantly refer to as my "man bag." This is a joke though that comes from the fact that I constantly do things with woman who brag about the convenience of their purses. I also bought a scarf of Turkish design. It is reversible with blue and gold designs on it. I thought it looked good. So did my friends (all female again) and they also said I looked metro sexual with it on. Now I have second doubts...but I still look good, so no matter. But back to the spices. I got some curry and palprika which I hope to use for a nice pasta dish. Now I just need to look up the recipe. Side note: I have been cooking a lot more here and I have been taking names of recipes in Turkiye that I would like to make back in the states. When I get back, I will introduce ISU to gourmet Turkish food.

Later that night, I kind of got suckered into going out again. First to a bar which was nice, then to another bar with a dance floor. It was fun, but it had lazer lights and one of the lights entered my eye through my pupil. That hurt, and it later caused a screaming headache, which was helped by all the smoke in the bar and the repeating techno music. Let it be known though: I can only handle techno in small doses. I tried walking home though because I thought I was really close. However, I got a little lost. But I followed the Bosphorus Straight back to Bebek and found my way. I wasn't alone though. I had a new friend with me by the name of Ohad.

It was a couple of intense nights. I am now though going to take a breather and relax until next weekend. That is when a really boat party is going to take place!

(to be continued)