Is it nearly over?

gorgeous image from etsy by abcdimages

I mean winter.

I recall having first worn my coat last year around October which means that I have been wearing it now for five, nearly six months. This was the case also in 2008-2009.

The last few days have been so pleasant and lovely. The weekend was glorious and the sun shone all weekend. On Sunday I walked from Yeniköy to my house, which as about an hour with a neck breaking hill right at the end. But it was so nice to be out feeling the sun on my back as I strolled through Istinye by the water watching people eat their balık ekmek (fish sandwich) freshly cooked off the back of a boat, children running and playing, and people out eating late breakfast while overlooking the Bosphorous. This is what I adore about Istanbul. These beautiful Spring days where you can smell the change of season in the air, blossom is blooming everywhere and days begin to stretch for that bit longer. 

Speaking of blossom, it is Sakura season, also known as Cherry Blossom season in Japan where people celebrate the arrival of Cherry Blossom. The season runs from January to June in various regoins throughout Japan, but most festivals fall between March to May.  

 image from google

image from google

During this season, each day Cherry Blossom forecast volunteers are out taking pictures of the flowering blossoms from all areas of Japan and reporting their finds to the authorities who keep a track of when and where certain Cherry Blossoms are blooming in order to plan the festivals and for travel agents to schedule tours.  

I would love to visit Japan during this time to see the Cherry Blossom and to attend a Cherry Blossom party, or Hanami 花見 "flower viewing" as it is known. People gather outdoors under Cherry Blossom trees to eat and drink and celebrate the season. Looks like fun!! 

No news is good news

This is my moto when it comes to local news. I have found that I am best off not reading the news as it either upsets or aggravates me, or bewilders me to no end.

If it's not Ergenekon, it's Erdoğan. If it's not human rights, it's honor killings. It's so tiring. Why can't there be at least one good news story of the day like the birth of a baby elephant in captivity or the like. It's all bad. Bad, bad, bad.

I really cannot recall a time when I read a light hearted non-political article in the news here. I can't understand how people can cope with this kind of news day in day out. It is depressing. People are gripped each day by what the press has to say and they are glued to newspapers, TV, internet news and current affairs in the evening streaming the "son dakika" last minute news of the second.  

So, for me, I'll stick with my news from Australia where I can at least read restaurant and movie reviews, stories about health, well being and epicure while living in ignorant bliss of all things newsworthy in Turkey.

Mind your business!

Last week while working away at my desk, someone approached me and said "I see your aknes" (I mean acne, but ak-nes is exactly what was said) while at the same time pointing out on their own face the exact location of my acnes.

Now, not much that comes out of Turkish peoples mouths surprises me much anymore, but I have to say, I was upset.  Hormonal, sensitive and upset.

I replied by saying "thanks for pointing that out because I didn't notice them myself as I didn't bother to look in the mirror at all this morning". But my sarcasm couldn't hide the golf ball welling in my throat which I swalloed away quickly to avoid the tears from welling up. I'm so over peoples straight rudeness. Where is the cultural sensitivity? Or is it all just one way here for the foreigners to follow?

During my time here, I have become accustomed to inappropriate comments and questions, and I accept that some things are very "normal" for these people to ask, but it still seems to shock me about peoples lack of boundaries and sensitivities, also bearing in mind that I am a foreigner and maybe such comments and questions are not the go. But I'm not sure they ever consider that fact.

Kilo aldın mı?, "did you take kilos?" 

Kilo verdin mi?, "did you give kilos?"

Kaç kilosun sen? "how many kilos are you?"

are all very standard questions that I have been asked and get asked by people in Turkey, not to mention questions about my salary, how much rent I pay or how much I paid for a house.

A few days later I was talking with the acne comment person and I told them that they offended me. I kindly tried to explain that that is one of the very big cultural differences between Turks and foreigners and that there are some things you can and can't say to people. But the more I talked about it the more I felt that they were getting offended. So I gave up.

So, tell me people, what is the most outrageous question you have been asked by someone, in Turkey or anywhere? There has to be something worse than the aknes comment.

Diet difficulties

Trying to eat and be healthy is never easy, especially for me who loves to bake!

My attempt today started out with good intentions, as you can see.

But quickly went downhill at dessert....

I baked last night and couldn't resist helping myself to my stash!

It's a tragedy, I know. That I can't even manage to blog a post here and there.

To be honest and provide a small excuse, my access to blogger has been down and I haven't been able to see anyone's blogs, let alone my own.

But, I'M BACK. You didn't get rid of me yet! Stay tuned.