The past few weeks have been tough, to say the least, for many of us here in Turkey. At times it has been very difficult to find the positives. This weekend, however, I was reminded about my mission here and received renewed faith in this journey. I don’t know what it was exactly about this third weekend in our host cities (or villages) but it seems that many of us ETAs traveled and had great experiences. From the group of ladies who ran the big marathon in Istanbul to those of us who ventured out on our own, this weekend away was inspiring and motivating.
My own journey happened abruptly when I decided I would go to Ankara to skate and find a beer. I was thinking about just going over on Saturday, but when I looked at the bus schedule I found that I would have been pressed to get there in time to skate. So, I threw my things together (in my typical last minute fashion) and caught the last bus to Ankara on Friday.
I was met at the bus station by Martha, a senior fellow here in Turkey on her own mission as assigned by the State Department, not with Fulbright, but affiliated. She has a nice apartment in a fashionable part of Ankara and had extended invitations to any of us visiting the city. We joined up with another State Dept. affiliated lady here on business pertaining to English education in Turkey who had just arrived that day. We went out for a nice dinner and had a nice walk around the Tunalı area, a vibrant shopping district.
The next day I awoke late and had brewed coffee (thanks Martha) and read two Turkish newspapers published in English. Reading the articles was somewhat depressing and even a little unnerving. I was very sad to see that a recent poll in Germany (that demonstrates a prominent racism and xenophobia) made the front page of one of the papers.
Reading about the racist, xenophobic situation in Germany reminded me why I am in Turkey. I am not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I decided to learn Turkish as a side project –personally to address subconscious racism towards the Turkish populations in Germany and Austria. When I saw how extreme it was becoming (growing political parties gaining support by campaigning on platforms of hatred –claiming they will get rid of the Turkish and foreign populations if they win) I knew that I wanted to work in integration. I strongly believe that the first steps in integration result from communication that is mutually understood. Language skills, in this case, are absolutely necessary. So, I embarked on my journey of learning Turkish. Several months later, here I am in rural Turkey.
I put the upsetting newspapers away and traded them for some well-needed physical exercise. I went skating! This time I skated in a freestyle session at the ice rink -which was a modified public session. I didn’t care! I jumped all around and did all kinds of spins. I skated for two sessions and even got some advice from a coach there on one of my jumps, which really helped improve it!
I miss the ice. I skated at least 3 times a week in the States (during school time when the rink was open). There is really something so peaceful about gliding on a razor-sharp blade. My body just seems to move so freely and naturally, somehow harnessing the unpredictable surface... there really is some sort of magical connection for me. The sound that a deep edge makes in the ice gives me goose bumps and calms me at the same time. I can very easily lose myself in the choreography to the music that the blades make on the ice.
I spent some time at the rink the next day because it just so happened that the daughters of one of the program directors were going to start lessons at the rink on Sunday. Martha put me in contact with Kiersten, the girls’ mom and together we went to the rink. The two little girls are very cute, and while I am not entirely a kid guy, these girls were tolerable, I mean, after all, they want to be figure skaters!
I met up with a friend, Rachel, who traveled to Ankara for the day just to go shopping. I ended up buying a ceramic coffee cup and a travel mug, both things that are impossible to find in Yozgat. With those treasures, I set out for the “mountain” as I call it here.
I arrived late, but was able to catch Sunday football, something that I used to do in the States with my best friends every Sunday.
Today I awoke late (I still keep on waking up between 3:45-4am and then sleep until about 10). I did a little exercise in my room and then realized it was sunny and mild outside! It is so strange how the sun can transform this place from a secluded, prison-like, cold and barren exile to a warm escape from the bustling world. Emails from staff and faculty who want to take the course I am offering started flooding in this weekend after an official announcement was made on the university website. I am now resolved to create the best experience I can for those who are willing to participate.
The feeling that I am needed here is starting to trump the overwhelming tasks that stand before me. I have accepted the fact that I am not a specialist in curriculum design and will just let my instincts create the experience. Hopefully I will be able to document it well and use these next 10 weeks as a guide for what to create for the next semester and hopefully what will continue beyond my stay here.
I am thankful for the peaceful renewal in myself that I have received in the past few days and especially thankful for the sunlight that fuels my motivation. While the actual sun is warm and lovely, it really is the sunlight I receive from my friends and family that keeps me going. That’s the sunlight that has really shone through some of the darker days in this adventure so far!
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