Banana Cake and Berlin

My roommate’s dad is very sweet to us and since he knows I like bananas, he is always bringing me some. The problem is that they usually go bad before I can eat them. The easy American fix for this is banana bread. However, I didn’t realize this was an American fix (or maybe it’s just not a Turkish one–I haven’t quite figured it out yet) until I made some the other day. In fact, since there were so many bananas, I made two batches and decided to share most of them. When I took some down to the family I tutor for, she looked confused as to what it actually was.

“Mus ekmek,” I explain, which is the best I can do. It’s literally banana and bread, but with all the suffixes in Turkish, I have no idea if it’s right.

Mmm, banana cake sprinkled with brown sugar.

“Bread? Is this not a cake?”

Well, no. In English, we call this bread. But if you look at it, it does contain a different consistency than most regular breads. It shares a closer consistency to cake in my opinion and it is sweeter, but hadn’t thought of it until she actually pointed it out. Which, if it were bread would make it some form of Mus Pasta, as pasta in Turkish is actually cake. I know, I was confused too.

Either way, the smell of it baking reminded me of home and if I were in the States, I would be stuffing my face next Thursday with Thanksgiving foods. And for the record, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Ever. Who doesn’t love a holiday that centers around food? Alas, I will not be home for Thanksgiving this year, but I will be in Berlin with a friend from the States. So it will be fun to see how we can celebrate it together in a country that doesn’t celebrate it. Maybe we’ll have some mus pasta.

Packages from home

I don’t care what technological advances the world makes, there will be nothing like getting snail mail. It always makes you feel good to make you know someone is thinking of you and turning those thoughts tangible. Right before the Bayram I got a package from mom and although my friend called it “diabetes in a box,” I was pretty stoked about it:

And recently I received this package from a friend from college:

True, this one is also mostly food, but I love that people are responding to my longing for Oreos. If only they could send me an enchilada. And in addition to packages, I’ve received cards, postcards, and even handwritten letters. When I got home from work today, there was a notice on the door for yet another package to pick up. I cannot believe how supportive and thoughtful people have been. Living in Turkey is an incredible experience, which is never short of adventures and learning opportunities, but it’s always nice to know that people are still thinking of you back home.

I’ve only managed to send out a handful of postcards and one birthday present so far. The post office is often closed by the time I get home from work. Hopefully I’ll be able to send out more soon. To those who have sent something (or more than one thing in some cases), even if it’s just a handwritten letter, it means the world and always puts a smile on my face.

**As a quick side note, one of my best friends from the States told me today that she can visit in April. I’m super excited! Maybe by then I’ll be fluent in Turkish and can show off my amazing skills. Or you know, at least be able to order her lunch.

 

Gay marriage and pot, oh my.

Four more years.

For some that is a joyous announcement, and for others it is cause to drink away their sorrows. (Ok, perhaps not that bad, but you get the point.) Outside the States, people are having a jubilee. And I must say that Romney gave an honorable and polite concession speech. I congratulate him on that matter and congratulate Mr. President on a reelection. But whether you are for or against Obama is not my point today, because what is also making the news is that the United States continues to make history with every election and this one has been no exception.

In Maryland, voters approved the MD. Dream Act, which would give tuition breaks to students who were brought by their parents as illegal immigrants. According to The Baltimore Sun, supporters of the act argue that “the tuition breaks would help young people who were brought here by others to become contributing members of society.”

Maryland voters also voted to legalize same-sex marriage (this vote upheld the law that was already in place). Voters in Maine also approved same-sex marriage, “making the two states’ voters the first in the country to approve the measures by a popular vote” (The Washington Post).  Minnesota  and Washington are voting whether to approve laws that would allow same-sex marriage (The Huffington Post). And while we’re still waiting for results, at least it’s a close race.

In other historical news, Colorado and Washington have become the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. It will be interesting to see how this works out, because while the new laws will make it legal for anyone over 21 to possess up to an ounce (without a medical marijuana card, which has been the case so far in CO), and for businesses to sell it, the drug is still illegal according to federal regulations.

According to ABC News, “even though the issues have passed, they are likely to meet legal challenges very quickly. In 2005, the Supreme Court struck down a California law that legalized medical marijuana in the state. The Court said Congress had the power to criminalize marijuana under the Commerce Clause.”

Yes, times are changing, and in my opinion, they are only getting better. Life has been rough for many people recently and I can only hope that things continue to improve for everyone. And it’s times like these, when people come together for the greater good and recognize that we are not alone in our problems, when people are allowed to marry who they love and families can–legally–be together, when children who want to get an education are not punished for actions out of their control,  and when opposing sides can gracefully acknowledge the others’ strongpoints, that I become hopeful. And whether you are for or against legalizing marijuana, it is the idea that people are open to listening, open to change, that forces me to fully appreciate the beautiful diversity that builds our country.

And today as I sit in a classroom in Istanbul, Turkey, and watch events unfold back home, I celebrate how far we have come, but am aware of how far we still have to go. I hope our president will fulfill his duties and lead us to strength and recovery, with the world watching. And as cliche as it may sound, it is days like today that I am especially proud to be an American.

Election day and soup

The tension is high, but not just in the US. It seems that the entire world is invested in who will become the next president of the United States. Yes, it’s been a hot topic among us American expats here in Turkey, but it has also dominated the conversations of my of my native friends as well. I knew before I came here that elections back home were a big deal worldwide, but I did not realize just how big a deal. People are continuously chattering about it and everyone is anxiously awaiting the final results. Unfortunately for us, we will have to wait quite some time. Since we’re seven hours ahead of the East Coast here, we won’t find out who has won until early Wednesday morning. I myself will be waking up early and checking the news first thing.

In the meantime, I am home sick today (doctor’s orders), so I don’t really have much to distract me from the waiting. There is only so much coverage online since polls aren’t even open yet in the States and by the time things really get going, I’ll have to scoot off to bed for work in the morning. I did manage to make some delicious, homemade chicken noodle soup (tavuk çorba as the Turks might say).

And to my future expat comrads, if you happen to land outside the US during an election year, here is the website to register to vote and cast your absentee ballots: www.FVAP.gov

More updates

So all the last pictures were from the Bayram, but I saw a few more things after the Bayram and I forgot to add the pictures. Here you go:

I went on a trip with some of the kids from school to the Monet exhibit on the European side. I’ll have to go back when I’m not chasing a bunch of fifth graders.

Hanging out at the Hagia Sophia

Checking out the Blue Mosque and not at all looking like an American tourist with my tie-dye t-shirt.

Again with the tie-dye t-shirt

Inside the courtyard of the Blue Mosque

Inside the Blue Mosque. If you don’t bring a scarf to cover your head, they will provide you with one, as well as a bag to carry your shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

Updates

Yet again I have fallen behind on my updates and I apologize. I know that from my last post it probably seems that I am sitting around, homesick for Oreos and Mexican food. And while I do constantly crave enchiladas, I am enjoying Istanbul. In fact, since my last post, I’ve managed to discover more of the city. Since my last post, I’ve experienced my first Bayram (or holiday) and got to enjoy the Historical District. I’ve managed to hang out with more expats, which can be helpful because as a foreigner you can sometimes appreciate the local attractions more. (For example, I really only went to the Washington Monument when taking friends who came to visit.) But instead of writing long, descriptive paragraphs about the sights I’ve seen and things I’ve done in the past week, I thought I would finally post some pictures.

Eating ice cream and enjoying the view of the Boshporus.

This is seriously only a PORTION of a mall I went to. I was so dumbstruck at the ridiculousness of it that I had to stop and take a picture.

Why yes, this is an ashtray in the bathroom.

Getting ready for Bayram!

Enjoying my fun Halloween socks sent from a friend and post cards and pictures from back home.

My friends brought their adorable pugs along on some of our adventures.

They have some fantastic street art here in Istanbul.

The delicious Bayram meal my roommate’s mom made for us. I don’t normally like lamb, but it was fantastic. Short Turkish lesson: pilav=rice, et=meat, ekmek=break, and coke=cola

We went up to this cool old abandoned orphanage. According to the sign, it was both “dangerous and forbidden.”