Settling In

Ever so slowly, I'm settling into my new home here in Izmir. The entire experience has been a fantastic gift from  ACI and a testament to the hospitality of the Turkish people. Everyone has been very excited to help me.
     When I arrived, I was picked up from the airport and driven to my new place at the Lojman, which is like a dormitory for teachers. It's just off-campus on 77/1 Sokak ("Street" in Turkish). My fridge was stocked courtesy of the school:

     The very next morning we began an elaborate orientation process that I'm still in the middle of. This process has included the logistics of getting around town, the culture of the school and Turkey itself, setting up a bank account, getting a work permit, cell phone, you name it. The first two days were in Izmir and we were then flown to Istanbul to begin the second part. We spent most of the day getting to know faculty and continuing orientation. At night I stayed at the richmond hotel in downtown Istanbul near Taksim square. Here's the room:

Unfortunately, I brought the wrong camera memory card so I was unable to take pictures of the Hagia Sophia or the Cistern near it. The school took us on a cruise of the Bosphorus with plenty of delicious Turkish food, wine, and Raki, which is a little like ouzo and jagermeister. I'm trying to prepare myself for when this luxury treatment will likely end but it's tough not to get used to it. Here's a picture of the street leading to Taksim square in Istanbul:

      I successfully journeyed to Best Buy in Izmir and got the card I needed so I will have better picture quality/quantity soon. We're doing training at the library for the new cataloging system. Everyone I work with is fantastic. I'm working hard to familiarize myself with everything; so far, so good. I'm also trying to remind myself not to stick to the comfort of other English-speakers all the time so I can develop my Turkish skills and truly immerse myself in the culture.

Interesting cultural discoveries so far:
      Turkish people do not socialize in the same way that American's do. It is very unusual to go out for a drink with friends and to communicate with anyone outside that group. Asking if you can sit down or speaking to someone else is accepted and met with hospitality but it instantly makes you an obvious foreigner who is unfamiliar with the culture. This begs the obvious question, "How do people develop groups of friends or date for that matter?" In Turkish culture, you know people from work and your family. Everyone is a friend of a friend. Relationships are rarely created spontaneously. This makes for a slowly-developing circle of friends and support group here in Izmir, though I know it will come in time.

I'll write more when I can!