Mehmet Berber

Winter has ended in Istanbul, and as the locals have been saying it was one of the longest in a while. I happily shed the heavy winter coat, but looking in the mirror this morning I decided my hair was the next to go.

Today was my third haircut since I have been here. I make a point to go to new places and as of late one little barber shop as been getting my attention. On my way back home from Istanbul's main area, Taksim, at the bottom of an apartment building is Mehmet Berber. Its inconspicuous and anything but a fancy salon. The perfect place for a grooming adventure.

As-salam aleyküm, this is how I entered Mehmet's barber shop. Its a polite greeting which usually starts most affairs with elders in Turkey. It roughly means peace to you and comes from Arabic. I thought it was a nice way to get things going with the man who would soon be wielding a razor to my neck.


After sitting down the hair cut and shave began. As Mehmet did his work I explained mine and gave him a short overview of what I was doing in Turkey. In all of about 30 minuets it was over. Feeling fresh and looking a little more like a Turk I payed my bill and exchanged good-byes. Finally, as just about any Turk would do in this wonderfully hospitable country, Mehmet made sure I needed nothing more and offered one day to show me around Istanbul. Sıhatler olsun!!!

Rotary Youth Exchange Students: we're handsome, brave, and we often forget to update our blogs

So a little time has passed in between posts, but that's no reason to stop blogging, right? Here are a few photos from my fabulous adventures and everything in between.

Taksim, Kadıköy, Boğaziçi....evim! Istanbul Seni Seviyourm!

İstanbul by Sertab Erener

I Wish My Bathroom Was Built in 1640!

On the list of "Really Turkish Things to Do in Istanbul" one will surely find visit a Hamam or Turkish Bath. Once a typical way of cleansing and relaxing, they have become less frequented and more of a novelty, but the tradition is still kept alive. This past weekend I visited the Cinili Hamamı in Üsküdar,Istanbul. I found it absolutely wonderful and I enjoyed experiencing this old Ottoman practice. Although I left refreshed and cleaner than I probably have ever been before, I also left with a newly acquired resentment for modern bathing methods.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Anıtkabir

The Turkish Republic today owes its existence to one man, Mustafa 'Atatürk' Kemal. With out him at the end of World War I what remained of the Ottoman Empire would have been divided up and shared among the victors. As the first leader of Turkey he laid the foundation for this modern state by establishing a secular nation with a constitution, developing The Turkish Economy, and by renovating its language and education system. He is the face of Turkey and their most celebrated figure.This past week I traveled to Ankara to visit his grave and the memorial and museum dedicated to his life and the Turkish Revolution.

Istanbul Marathon

This last Sunday my Rotary group and I did an 8k walk as part of the Istanbul Marathon. It was cold and rainy, but great nonetheless!

All the Rotary Turkeys ready to race!

On your mark....get set....were going nowhere because there are so many people!

And we begin...

The Bosphorus, I'm between Europe and Asia.

Looking back at the Boğaziçi Bridge

Two continents in a day, now I want some kebap!

Nargile

The Turks seem to have two sides 1) The business side it takes to cope with stressful life in Istanbul 2) And the social side needed to unwind from this hectic city. So what is one thing Turks do when they want to relax, you may ask? They smoke Nargile, which is a water pipe that has been in Anatolia since the Ottoman empire in the 1600's. Now I am not a smoker, but I have been curious to try this since I knew I was going to Turkey, so last night my friend Berke brought me to my first Nargile. Berke explained the place to go is Tophane, so I followed his lead, first taking some very cramped public transportation, but eventually we made it to the couch filled, dimly lit establishment of his choice. When we arrived everyone was kicked back chatting away, and after we sat down, we started with an apple flavored tobacco. It was a lot to take in. A dramatic Turkish show played on the TV's, a minaret loomed over us, and the colorful lights and sweet aromas played with my senses. While we smoked we talked about friends, religion, made jokes, and I practiced my Turkish. I too felt some of the stress of my first two week disappear, and from them on it was pure Istanbul fun.

Notes on Being an Ambassador

I find myself quite often talking politics with my new Turkish friends. I hear the same comments about George W. Bush and fellow people and issues who create the political climate of today. One of Rotary's missions is for us to be ambassadors, but with these sentiments I have been confused on how I will do this. I know I am not here to apologize nor explain, but I do feel the need to leave a positive impact of this place.

Last week I was asked by my history teacher to teach a lesson on American history. I accepted. I choose to teach the American revolution. In my preparation, I rediscovered the beautiful ideas and principles America is formed on. In its simplicity, I realized, the declaration of independence is my guide for how to be an ambassador. If nothing more it is my job to share that my America, regardless of its blunders and preconceptions, is a country that strives for all people to have the opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a city of 15,000,000 people. There is an amazing amount of traffic, and in every direction a sea of houses, but with its frantic pace of life, it has an electrifying beauty.




These photos were taken in and around Istiklal Caddesi, in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul.

And My Exchange Begins!!!

Hey Guys,

Well I finally made it, I am in Istanbul!!! I would have blogged sooner, but every night so far I have been asked to have tea, usually followed by more tea. I have already met so many awesome people and I feel a lot of great adventures to come. Istanbul is a vast change from Denver, and its has been an exciting week adjusting to life.For now, I just want to tell everyone who helped me get here thank you and to stay tuned for more.

I'm hooked to fishing- No pun intended!

Yesterday, on a fly fishing day trip to the Upper Big Thomson in Estes Park, Colorado, I went from doing the catching to being the caught!

Working the edges, I caught three beautiful Colorado Trout!

Then while I was re-rigging my pole on the shore, my brother stepped on a small piece of line, took a step, and yanked the small fly (a copper john) into my index finger.

The fly went in past the barb, leaving me unable to easily remove it.

After a short visit to the ER, the fly was out!

The Other Half

Rotary Study Abroad is becoming a family affair and I will be the second person to go on this crazy adventure. My twin brother was the first, and all last year I witnessed his journey in Peru. I heard about the incredible moments, the mundane, the bouts of homesickness, and everything in between. Now after one year he has returned. Picking him up at the Denver International Airport was a happy homecoming, and I am pretty sure our raucous reunion caught the attention of airport security. Seeing my brother now as a ex-exchange student I felt extremely proud. We exchanged hugs, and with Peruvian fervor he greeted me, of course with the odd Spanish phrase unconsciously sneaking its way into his vocabulary. Head to toe he was my brother, but I could tell how much he changed. My scruffy bearded twin, with a new language and the confidence acquired during a year away from home truly had an experience. After taking a few photos, we left. I picked his brain asking the questions that the next 12 months I will try to answer during my exchange. He gave me answers, but his just being there was wisdom enough. He made it!

Good job bro, a Rotary Youth Exchange well done! Also if you want to learn more about Cody, his time in Peru, and his work as a student and medical intern, I will happily send you his contact information!

Update!!!

My endless 'Before I go to Turkey' to-do list, I am happy to say, is getting shorter. Item number #43 was recently completed, getting my wisdom teeth removed! After a little over an hour the operation was done. I couldn't feel my face, I had this awesome perma-smile, and I would uncontrollably drip blood onto my shirt. It was the closest thing to a zombie experience I have had yet!

Also I would like to say thank you to the North Washington Dental Group and Doctor Eric Rossow for making this procedure possible, and their willingness to work with me financially.

Summer Thoughts

Rotary is a righteous organization, straight up, they work in education, the professional world, and are trying to eradicate polio. I feel proud to be a part of that. Since my Rotary blazer arrived I stare at it hanging in my closet with loads of pride, proud of what the patch represents, what I will represent wearing it. Even though I have yet to leave, I wake up and try to embody what it is to be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student everyday. I try to live with an indomitable spirit. Cheers, here's to a year of curiosity, tenacity, and the human spirit!

A Middle East Adventure In South East Denver

With only two months until my departure date I am craving a little adventure. I have been looking for any opportunity so when on my day off I had the chance to prepare for another fundraiser, preparation which included a visit to the Middle East Store, I took a short pre-rotary sojourn. (The next post I will reveal the fundraiser and provide more information!)

This is Rudolf, a friendly young man I met while waiting for the number eight bus.

In order to get to the market I took the H line from 16th street to its location off Colorado Blvd.

Traveling aboard the light rail.

The Middle East Market, along with other Middle Eastern restaurants.

The entrance of the Middle East Market.

Hookah anyone?

Interesting sticker, I wish I could read Arabic!

This caught my eye, some Turkish Coffee!

Bags of rice.

The owner, who kindly allowed me to photograph him. His only words were "don't use it for anything illegal!"