I’m slowly getting used to life here. I started teaching about a week and a half ago and am enjoying the classes, though my students occasionally stump me with a question (why is it “I’m in Turkey, aren’t I?” and not “I’m in Turkey, am not I?”). The schedule takes a bit more getting used to. My evening classes don’t finish until ten and by the time I get home and eat dinner, it’s close to midnight. Then, on Thursdays and Fridays, I have to get up and go to morning classes, staying at the office a solid 12 hours (albeit with a 5 hour break in the afternoon).
It has snowed several times since arriving here, but I managed to take the bus 2 hours to the center of Istanbul where my Brazilian flatmate and I wandered through the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar with its old arched ceilings and plethora of colors and enticing smells. It was quieter than I expected. Perhaps because of the off-and-on snow that day. From here, we walked to the Blue Mosque where we were told we couldn’t visit because people were currently praying. I’ll go back another day.
It has snowed several times since arriving here, but I managed to take the bus 2 hours to the center of Istanbul where my Brazilian flatmate and I wandered through the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar with its old arched ceilings and plethora of colors and enticing smells. It was quieter than I expected. Perhaps because of the off-and-on snow that day. From here, we walked to the Blue Mosque where we were told we couldn’t visit because people were currently praying. I’ll go back another day.