Istanbul

So, I start giving private English lessons today. It's all arranged through a language school, and they sent me this before i get started tonight:


Andre,

One thing that I neglected to say, and to explain about Turkish students, and private lesson students in particular, is that they have usually tried a number of teachers before as they live in a very course oriented culture in Istanbul. They all go to courses, whether it be language courses, cooking courses, whathaveyou, and a number of our clients (students) have tried private lessons in the past, either with us or with other companies, so they have a very good idea of what teacher profile they want. Basically, they want someone who is experienced, a native speaker, and who has been a teacher since birth. What that means is that if they ask you what you have done in the past, tell them you were a teacher. Don't let them know that you have ever had any other job nor wanted one. It seems a bit exagerrated, but believe me when I say that we, and many people I know, have had this problem in the past. Sometimes, not telling the whole truth is the best and only way to establishing a good student-teacher relationship.

Other than that, if they ask where you're from, say America. Then go on to explain where your roots hail from. Basically, play up the American, play down the German (all students will ask, and again, some people don't care, but most do, and they have the view that if you're not from America or Britain, you're not native... this is also true for a lot of Australians strangely enough, we often have to introduce them as British and no Turks know the difference). If they ask you about your relationship with us, say that you've been working with us for a few months now, and then restress your past experience in other locations.




Basically, I get to reinvent my whole life story for tonight. This should be fun :)

Istanbul...soon Kuala Lumpur

I've been working a bit more this week, and at work I met a Portuguese couple. We ended up having a very long talk about Southeast Asia. I told them I was heading to Kuala Lumpur after Istanbul and they started raving about the area. They were telling me about all these amazing places in Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam...and it got me thinking. Actually no, it gave me goosebumps. In just over a month instead of writing Istanbul on top of these posts, I'll be writing Kuala Lumpur...and that's just the start! I am definitely beginning to get super pumped for Malaysia/SouthEast Asia!! For now though, I still have a good month left in Istanbul and that thought hasn't lost it's charm either! Summer time, maybe heading South, Euro Cup!!!

Istanbul

You know, while travelling there is one thing which every traveler should never forget to do...and on a regular basis. Take a step back. Look at what you've done, where you came from, who you're with now, who you were with before you left...take in your surroundings at that exact point in time. Whether its standing on Galata Bridge overlooking Istanbul and the Bosphorous eating a fish sandwhich or sitting cross-legged by the Bosphorous at one of Istanbul's most famous nightclubs Anjelique. Take it all in...let it sink...remember that moment. Cherish the people you meet, take a step into their world, take them one step into yours. Problems will arise...whether its financial woes or sleeping place uncertainties. It doesn't matter. In your time of doubt, rely on others. Allow yourself to be vulnerable to other people's help. Your initial thought will be a hesitant one...should i really let this person be so hospitable to me. Then think...one day you will have the chance to repay that hospitality...and in full stride.

It's difficult to put every aspect of a long travel into words. It takes time...it takes repeated events...it takes moments for these words to appear clearly and in order. To me, however, the words are only a way for me to express to others what I am going through, or rather try to express. For me personally, being there is enough, and in future memories will be enough. In preparing for this journey, I experienced the truest form of happiness I have ever felt in my life. Finally going on this journey and being 5 weeks into it...I feel like this is where I want and need to be in my life right now. A very powerful and inspiring feeling to have.

As i freestyle this block of words, I am rocking out to two of my friends jamming. They are incredible and have a band here in Istanbul. Their music is in Turkish, but please check them out!

Iyi Gun Dostlari:

http://soundcloud.com/iyigundostlari

Istanbul

Warning: This is my longest post yet, by far. It has to be though, in order to do this night full justice! Finish reading it and you will see why. 

Timing is a very important aspect of life. Initially I thought my timing of coming to Istanbul was unfortunate, because a lot of my friends had to leave almost immediately after I arrived. After a few weeks I realized my timing probably couldn't have been better. Those who know me well, actually even those that don't know me so well...know me to be a sports fanatic. I posted pictures of my first Galatasaray game a few weeks back. My first month here in Turkey directly overlapped with the Turkish football (SüperLig) championship playoffs. 

Galatasaray was in clear control and the favorite to be champions very early on in the playoffs. Then a series of bad results by Gala and victories by rivals Fenerbahçe made the title race as close as it could be. It all came down to the last game...Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahçe (Turkey's most intense, and one of Europe's most intense derbies)...in Fenerbahçe's stadium, a place Galatasaray hasn't won in in over 20 years. Luckily (notice my bias as a Gala fan), they didn't need a win though and a tie would secure them as champions.
This season was often times overshadowed by manipulation/cheating allegations against many SüperLig teams, most notably including Fenerbahçe! Their president is even in prison at this very moment. So the pre-game atmoshpere was already very, very heated. Now to the game...a fierce battle with 2 red cards, leaving very little room for any real football skill...and it ended 0-0. GALATASARAY was ŞAMPYION!!!! MADNESS ensued...

The calm before the storm

Here we go

Intensity rising

ŞAMPIYON?

ŞAMPIYON!!!

Celebration INFERNO

The flames have to come from somewhere

Helping Jett onto a bus

Jett on the bus!!

ŞAMPIYON CIMBOMBOM!!

 Meanwhile in the Fenerbahçe stadium...

To be fair. Galatasaray did win in Fenerbahçe's stadium...which is a HUGE deal! If the reverse would have happened, I'm sure Galatasaray fans would have probably reacted similarly...

It was almost not going to be allowed for Galatasaray to receive the trophy in the stadium. Fatih Terim (Gala's coach) finally convinced the league and the trophy was presented to the team after the stadium was cleared and there was no one there besides the team and the photographers!

 




 

Istanbul

In Turkey you don't actually have to be famous to be treated like a star...just very tall and say you play basketball!

Istanbul

GALATASARAY
Since Istanbul is such a big city it has more than one big football club. The rivalries are intense and very serious. Through my group of friends I got swayed into being a supporter of Galatasaray and yesterday I was able to go to my first game! Galatasaray - Trabzonspor...it ended 0-0 and wasn't a very good game, but the experience was amazing nonetheless!