Work

I have finally discovered a benefit of being the only English speaker at work..........I get out of all of those meetings that we as educators hate going to!!!!  There were 2 meetings today and I was excused from them because they would be in Turkish.  I feel very welcomed here at Sanko School, even though nobody speaks my language fluently.  The teachers in the English department are extremely friendly....I hope that is something I bring back, and keep with me, in the states.  I have not encountered anybody that didn't seem genuinely happy to meet me.  I am kind of like that new and exotic toy that everybody is curious about.  I have been warned that people are going to want to speak to me all the time because they want to learn better English.  The school actually sent all the English teachers to England for 2 months the last 2 summers so they could learn English.  Could the schools in Memphis send us to Central America or Mexico for the same thing? 

I feel very welcomed at my school.  They always want to know how I am and if I would like a coffee or to go have a smoke.  They know I don't smoke but they always ask me if I would like to join them.....Yes my dear friend that will remain nameless.........TEACHERS TAKE SMOKE BREAKS HERE.  That is the strangest thing to me.  I wonder how that will work when the students start back Monday? 

I had a couple interesting encounters with cab drivers the past few days.  They speak absolutely no English and can't understand it either.  I did however figure out how to get a train pass, so that will be my mode of transportation for the next 9 months.  I decided that I can't go another day without attempting to learn the Turkish language, so last night I bought the Turkish Rosetta Stone.  I will begin studying tonight.  I just need to know enough to get around town, go to a restaurant, and do basic shopping.  It would be nice if I became somewhat fluent but I'm not hoping for a miracle. 

I am going on another tour of the city today after work with one of my department members.  There are a few things I must find out before the weekend:
1.  Where do I go to get a good pedicure
2.  Where do you go to buy toiletries (there are no Walgreen stores on every block here)
3.  Where is a good grocery (I am so tired of room service)