Turkey for the Holidays

No, no, not that turkey!

As you may have figured out, I am spending my winter holiday in the fabulous country of Turkey. I decided to come here for several reasons: to meet up with old friends, see how I could get along here on my own, check out a few job leads and meet with other English teachers, visit places like the ruins of Ephesus and the pools at Pamukkale, experience the Turkish hamam, eat delicious foods, learn a bit of Turkish, enjoy nargile and tavla, catch up on reading and writing, re-take photos of the Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque (last time I was here, somebody didn't press the button hard enough!), and see my favorite Turkish punk/ska band in concert.

I've been here almost two weeks so far and everything has been unbelieveably lovely. For the first few days, I felt like I was living in a fairytale. I've had tons of fun, surprises and, natually, embarrassing moments. I've met loads of great people and I'm learning new things every day. I'm not at all looking forward to going back to the sweet, beautiful mountain village in Japan!

Here are a few highlights:

Men

Every single day I've been on holiday, I've gotten someone's business card or mobile number or e-mail address. Those of you that know me know that I rarely survive a flight without getting someone's contact info, but this time is different. They've all been men. Handsome, young men... well, for the most part anyway.

It started with the male flight attendant on Malaysian Air - he spent the better part of an hour chatting with me in the aisle while his colleagues actually worked. Next up was a Turk standing at the phones in a KL mall. He bought me a Coke and then declared us a couple. Then there was the Turkish businessman on the KL-Istanbul flight. He was old, but very Paul Newman. Still, gee whiz! I swear, I'm not encouraging these guys! Numerous waiters, hotel workers, internet cafe attendants and bus attendants later and suddenly I've got an entire address book's worth of random names and numbers. The current rate is 1.5 a day. Not too shabby, eh?

I'm no stunning beauty, mind. I'm short and a bit plump with awful skin and plain hair and clothes. What is it, then, that drives all the (non-Japanese - save for middle-aged, married salarymen and 4-year-old preschoolers) men wild?

First off, I've got "colored" eyes. Next, I'm friendly and cheerful and I smile a lot. I guess I am easily approachable and a lot of people seem to feel like they can tell me anything, even after just meeting. But the number one reason, I'm afraid, that I've collected all these random numbers and addresses is because I'm a woman from the West. You know, the sexy, loose type you see on all the movies and TV shows! Yes, of course, we're all like that!

I'll admit, it was flattering at first. After about 2 days, it became weird. Now it is just sad. Sad because I feel like I can't be myself without somebody getting the wrong impression/taking things the wrong way. After all, I don't want to walk around like a snobby bitch just to keep a few silly guys at bay.

Maybe by being friendly and fun and not a single thing more, I'm doing my part to help salvage the reputations of Western women everywhere. Is this my new calling?!

Athena

OK, I'm sure none of you have heard of this band. That's f?ne - they are Turkish, after all. However, you need to know that, to me, they are demi-gods and it has long been one of my dreams to see them in concert.

In the months leading up to this trip, I searched high and low for information on concerts they might be putting on during the winter holiday. Turkish friends told me not to worry, that they always put on a show at the New Year and I'd certainly hear about it soon enough.

Despite the reassurances, I couldn't wait for the information to come to me. I decided to write to the band's manager, whose address was posted on their website.

A few weeks later, I received a reply - and an offer to be placed on the guestlist for the 10-band, 2-stage, New Year's Eve concert!

Tomorrow is the 31st and I'll go to pick up my tickets at the management's office in the afternoon. I'm so excited! I even have a date for the concert!