I’ve now been in Istanbul for a month and a half; there’s far too much to try to and squeeze into this entry. So, along the way, I’ll post both current and old entries (from notes I had made in my diary, but never got so far as typing them up onto the computer).
Istanbul, this time round, has been interesting because it continually feels like a new experience, a ‘re-birth’ if you will. Since my student days here, and the times I had visited since then, there was always an agenda which was dictated by another person, namely my ex — making me see the city in a darker, negative hue whenever the relationship wasn’t going so well.
Whereas now, that aspect of my life doesn’t exist anymore so the city feels fresh and unexplored, even though I know my way around fairly well. I’m living with an English teacher in Avcılar, an area on the outskirts of the European side of the city. The location isn’t ideal in terms of getting to the city centre, but it’s a decent neighbourhood though perhaps a bit too conservative for my tastes.
There’s a small shop opposite the apartment building that is run by an old, creepy man. It seems he’s taking the famed ‘Turkish hospitality’ to a whole new level with his overly enthusiastic attempts at conversation. He’s a difficult person to describe because he’s always extremely friendly and helpful, but it always feels forced. My previous interactions with many of the Turkish shopkeepers had always progressed slowly and naturally, often resulting in a good friendship — whereas this man is so intent on becoming friends from the first moment of meeting that it’s difficult to visit the shop without having to make up some excuse and leaving as soon as possible. He even kissed (on the cheek) and hugged my housemate’s friend Yunus the first time he visited, after which he demanded ‘Never send me there ever again!’
Last Thursday I received two phone calls in the same hour, both inviting me for a job interview; the odd thing is was, I didn’t remember applying to either of these companies, and thought it wasn’t really a good idea to ask. Anyway, I ended up following up one of these interviews (the one that sounded the most legit) and managed to get a job! I’ll be heading out to various companies and holding English classes for small groups of businessmen. I’m quite excited to be starting work because it means my presence in Istanbul will be more permanent, and hopefully I’ll have enough income to enjoy it.
However, I don’t start work till after the 6th of December because I’ll be visiting England next week. I haven’t told my family about my trip, I’m planning on surprising them, I’m just hoping that they’ll be home by the time I arrive.
I definitely hope to update more often, the lack of entries is due to laziness and a lack of ‘wine inspiration’.
Posted on November 17, 2010
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