Weekend Update

Saturday night was the big teacher’s day dinner at a teacher’s hotel type facility.  I hope we will get some pictures from some of our teachers to send you because Jerry was dancing!!  What a concept.  He actually asked the headmaster to come to the dance floor and he did.  In Turkey everyone sort of dances together for the upbeat songs so you don’t really need a partner.  I danced also for the second time since we’ve been in Turkey.  I had a very nice compliment from one of the school administrators who said “ You danced like a Turkish woman”.   It was fun. 

Sunday was the parent teacher conferences from 12-5 at the school.  Of course, most of the parents who came had good kids and the parents of the problem kids didn’t show up.  I imagine that happens everywhere.  It was interesting because as I have said previously I have over 100 students.  I see my 38 6th graders 3 classes a week but everyone else is one 40 minute class a week and I still haven’t learned all the names.  Most of the parents had pictures on their phones so I was able to remember their children when I saw their faces.   Some easy names we have to learn are Toygen, Tuna, Caan, Efisu, Bengisu, Deniz , Alta, Dalara, Mert, Can (pronounced John) Soycan, Nil, Yunnis, Cem (pronounced Jim),Ennis,  Berkin, and the list goes on.  (Notice I said those were the easy ones)  I’ll write down some of the more difficult names one of these days and post them.  Except for the fact that their children talk Turkish a lot in the class the kids are all doing pretty well.  I was totally impressed with my second grade today.  We played “hangman” with their vocabulary words and they did great.  I had to really work to keep up with them.  I was shocked at how well they did with the alphabet.

The teachers had a meeting tonight after classes from 4:30-7:30 to discuss the parent teachers meeting.  Jerry and I weren’t included in the meeting because it was all in Turkish but because we had to wait on the service to get home we stayed until 7:30 as well.  Would you believe we decided on a quick dinner of a bean burger and fries at Burger King which is just a few steps from our door.  Hate to say this but it was pretty good.

Teacher’s Day

Schools in Turkey are big for celebrations and today was no exception.  This was a special day to honor all teachers.  Many students brought flowers or small gifts for their special teachers.  Jerry and I received a few flowers which was very rewarding.  The students and teachers put on a 90 minute program with dancing, music, and a slide show with baby pictures of some of the teachers which got the biggest applause.

I hope all our American friends have a great Thanksgiving.  We’ll be thinking of you eating your turkey and dressing.  Sounds good right now.   We’ll miss our annual trip to Casa Grande’s Cracker Barrel with Jerry’s brother and sister in law .  Don’t think we’ll find anything similar in Turkey.

Carol’s students

I’ll let Jerry blog about his students but wanted to give you a little more info about my “kids”.  My “orange” kindergarten class has three very good English speakers and one fairly good whose parents all speak English and lived in English countries, US, Canada, or England.  They all help with interpreting but the boys  are challenging to keep on task.  We have a student book for the class and we just finished body parts and are moving on to senses and feelings like sad, happy, etc.  The week before the holiday I did a class on eye color.  My “purple” class has no English speakers so everything is with hand motions.  The teachers are all helpful but limited English.  I’m impressed with how many words the kids  have learned.  Many of them didn’t know hello or good bye at the beginning of the year.

My one first grade class has a couple of girls who come up to me in the hall and the beginning of class and say “I love you”.  I started saying “I love you too” back to them and then they started with “I love you too”.  I’m not sure they have a clue what they are saying or where they learned it but it’s always a good feeling to get that special hug!  I have one little boy who speaks English and helps out with instructions but after two months most of the kids are starting to understand when I say “draw” of “color”.  It’s pretty basic instructions.  We’re now studying school objects with our Potato Pals books.  In my other first grade class I have a little girl who has become my teacher’s assistant.  She knocks on the board when people are noisy and tries to help me get them to sit down.  I’m going to give her a “Reinforcement Card” which recognizes someone for doing a great job or something special. Her English is very limited but better than most in the class.

I’ll jump to my 4th grade which only has 6 students.  I had 4 of them in my extra English lesson but 3 passed the recent English test so there is only one little girl left.  She has hardly said a word in English since I started.  At our lesson during the last class when it was just the two of us, I was able to get her to actually tell me to “stand up” sit down” “go to the board” and a few other instructions.  She loved telling me what to do and I was thrilled that she used some English.  I’m looking forward to our next class this week to see what else I can help her learn.

I’m still struggling with names.  Not only are they different but difficult to understand what the students are saying.

That’s my world these days.  I know all my previous co-workers at SAMHC are struggling with funding and too many clients and a lot more challenging situations than I have!!  I feel some guilt that I’m only worried about who is learning English but I am thinking  of all of you  and wishing you well.

The Rest of the Story

Just wanted to finish up our trip to Italy.  On Wed morning we went to the museum and saw the David statue by Michalangelo.  Needless to say it was amazing.  Lots of other impressive art work as well.  Then another  train to Bergamo which has it’s old city at the top of a hill.  You can walk up or take a bus but they they have a “funicular” which is a small bus on rails that climbs up and down the mountain every 10 minutes.  We found the best pizza in a little shop while we were walking around.   In Milano you couldn’t get a full dinner until 8:00, in Bergamo it was 7:00.  I knew people ate late but a lot of restaurants don’t even open until then.  What a lot of cafes do have is an appetizer bar which you can eat from if you order drinks.  We didn’t try any but the food looked pretty good through the windows and would probably be a more economical way to eat.  Did I mention Euro shock!! 

On Thursday we took, trains, taxies, and ferries to get a feel for the Italian hill country.  We were in Bellagio and Varenna which is across Lake Como from Bellagio.  This was unfortunately our second of only two rainy days so it wasn’t ideal walking weather but the towns were still beautiful.  The taxi driver who took us from Lecco where the train stopped said the one road to Bellagio is insane in summer. 

America could certainly learn something from the Turkish and European train system.  The trains were always on time and comfortable.  We arrived home at 3:00 this morning on the train from Istanbul.  Fortunately we had a good book tape so we were entertained.  Just in case we fell asleep we set the phone alarm for 15 minutes before the train stopped in Eskisehir.  I’m always a little anxious that we will miss our stop but so far that has never happened.  There were still people walking around town at that time of the morning.  (they were young people). 

Not sure where we will go next.  We have semester break the first two weeks in February so we have to get busy and make a plan.  Those that know me know I always have a “plan”.  Jerry will post pictures later.  He is still sleeping.

Italy

I thought of several titles for the blog, EURO shock, awesome cathedrals, shopper’s paradise, or if it’s Tuesday it must be Florence but I decided it should just be Italy.  We arrived Friday afternoon after taking the 2:15 AM train from Eskisehir to Istanbul, then a plane to Bergamo, not quite 3 hours and a bus, about an hour, to Milan.  It really wasn’t that bad.  We actually got some sleep on the train.  So far, this is Tuesday early evening we have seen Milan, Verona, Venice, and Florence.  The train system in Italy is truly remarkable, not cheap but for the convenience, worth the cost.  I couldn’t begin to blog about all we’ve seen.  Mostly we have walked and walked and eaten a lot of gelato.  An interesting note to our Turkish friends is that in every city we have been in there has been a Turkish café with doners ( a Turkish version of a burrito to you Tucson readers).  No, we didn’t eat in any of the cafes, when in Italy you eat Italian.  The pasta is awesome and they have these mini sweet waffles that are really really good.  That’s another reason why we have to walk.

Italians have been very nice and helpful but nothing compared to the friendliness and helpfulness of the people in Turkey.  I know we are in a unique spot in Turkey and I appreciate it more and more.

Neither of us are shoppers but for those of you who are, the shops are amazing.  I recently blogged about the women who dress well in Eskisehir but the women in Milan are into fashion in a big way.  It was like a fashion show on the street.  There are still women who wear furs, I saw a shop in Florence this afternoon who was making fur coats.

We have been very lucky with the weather.  Saturday in Milan was cold and some rain but we were on a bus most of the day.  Then when we went South we left the the rain behind and actually had some sunshine.  Didn’t even wear coats during our walk this afternoon in Florence.  Each city we’ve visited has had incredible duomos or churches.  Obviously we have barely scratched the surface of each city we’ve been in but this was meant as an exploratory visit so we’ve done what we planned.

 

We’re staying in Florence tonight and tomorrow go back to Bergamo and take in the small towns on Lake Como.  Then back to Eskisehir and return to school next Monday. 

Honoring Ataturk

Anyone who has read this blog knows that I have mentioned Ataturk several times.  Today was the anniversary of his death and so another ceremony (that may not be the correct word) honoring him for all he did for Turkey.  The Turkish teachers were busy for days preparing posters and other materials displayed around the lobby of the school.   There was a moment of silence at the minute of his death at 8:55 A.M.  It’s the quietest I’ve ever seen the students (really).  People talk about him with real reverence and him living on in their hearts.  There was a slide presentation and one picture of Bill Clinton showed up on the screen.  Fortunately I was standing next to a parent who spoke English.  She told me that Bill Clinton said that Ataturk should be one of the most respected leaders of the millennium.  Needless to say I wasn’t expecting to see a picture of Bill Clinton at a Turkish ceremony.

Today was English Club (every two weeks) and we had about 15 kids the last hour of the day for a special class on fun with English (that is the idea anyway).  The younger kids did a play dough project about animals while the older better English speakers did a story about A Bug’s Life.  We read a portion of the book in English and then the students wrote their version of the ending.  We didn’t get very far in 40 minutes but it was an entertaining meeting. 

Not sure how much blogging will happen on our trip.  Maybe a lot if the weather is really bad.  We’re leaving beautiful weather for rain and clouds.

Vegetarian Delight

Our newest friend in Eskisehir and on Facebook is Ibrahim Ersahin.  He has been very helpful to us around our apartment issues over the past couple of weeks.  Ibrahim speaks great English and is the son of our realtor.  He is always willing to be called or e-mailed to give us guidance.  He works for Turkish Railroad  as a mechanical engineer and helps out at his father’s office in the evenings and on weekends.  (He is currently doing a two week training for the railroad) Anyway, because of his love for English we found we had many things to talk about.    Ibrahim was kind to invite us to dinner last evening.  He has a lovely wife, (pictures coming) and a 20 month old son.  Unfortunately by the time we got the camera out his son was in bed but rest assured he is really really a handsome little boy.   I mentioned in an e-mail after the invitation that we were vegetarian and he said that is the preferred way of eating for his wife so Ipek cooked a terrific vegetarian dinner that could have come from a fancy restaurant.  It was delicious.   I don’t have a clue what the names of the dishes were but we had cay (tea) of course, then lentil soup, a wonderful pasta casserole, green beans in a delicious sauce, potatoes with fresh herbs, grape leaves stuffed with rice and dinner ended with a Turkish pumpkin dessert.  Needless to say we were stuffed.  Ipek doesn’t speak English so Ibrahim did the translating.   Their apartment is lovely and like most things in Eskisehir we were able to walk home within 10 minutes.  We’ll look forward to more evenings and interesting discussions together.

 

Kurban Bayrami (Festival of the Sacrifice)

This is the name for the holiday that is coming up next weekend.  The book I read said that this the most important religious and secular holiday of the year. It is as important to the Muslims as Christmas is to Christians.  The festival commemorates Ibrahim’s near sacrifice of his son on Mt Moriah.  It is a similar story to the biblical tale about Abraham and Isaac.  The story goes that when Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son he was stopped and told to slaughter an animal instead.  Every year about 4 million cows and sheep are sacrificed.  Apparently most of the sacrifices are done in the country not in the cities.   After the sacrifice the meat is given to organizations that help the poor so the meat goes to a  good cause.  The banks and government offices are closed and lots of people travel.

Our school is closed for an entire week as well which, of course, gives us a chance to travel.  This will be our first major trip since we arrived in Eskisehir.  We have train tickets that leave Eskisehir at 2:30 next Friday  morning!!  Then we get into Istanbul (the Asian side) early in the morning and go to the smaller airport in Istanbul where we catch the flight for Milan.  It will be interesting to see how well we handle getting up in the middle of the night to catch a train.  I’m sure it will be another adventure which is what this whole thing is about!

Just another day in paradise

We say that a lot in Tucson, especially in January and February. But is also true for us here in Eskisehir right now. It is 65 and sunny and has been for several days and is projected to be until we leave next Friday for Italy. Carol and I walked to see the other University. It turned out to be a great 7 mile round trip. Osmangazi Üniversitesi is newer than Anadulo University and the area is newer housing and roads all new and nice. The city is busy at all times with people out walking, but on a gorgeous day it lights up with people doing all kinds of things. Selling, buying and just out having a beautiful time. We looked at the weather forecast for Milan and it is cold, rainy and just plain scary, but also lots of old stuff to see inside.

As you can see Carol have become so famous here they have put her up in one of their newest statues. She is conversing with the blues brothers a brand new river side art work just across from our apartment. Then later we stopped to chat with these two ladies that never seem to run out of something important to talk about at the next bridge across from our place. I know you are all worried about us and our heating problem so just thought you would like to hear that it is just another beautiful day in paradise. Then it was time for “Cay” and Cake. Jerry

Routines

We are settling into a routine here in Eskisehir just like you do anyplace you live.   Work continues to challenge both of us, but especially Carol (me, the blogger).  Because I have 7 different grades that means I prepare 7 different lessons a week. Entertaining kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade kids even for 40 minutes takes a lot of energy!  I had my new 6th grade class write me a “postcard” about why I should come to Eskisehir as a class assignment.  They all read their postcards in class (minimum of 5 sentences which I got from 75% of them).  Many of them talked about the river that you have seen in our pictures and the friendly people that live in the city.  I’m enjoying having classes with kids that speak a little more English so I can have a conversation with them and the more English they speak the better.  I’m interested in ideas that I can use for topics they can speak on other than relatives, movies, sports, singers or vacations so any ideas you can send my way will be appreciated.  If you can’t get to the comment section on the blog send to my e-mail at clittle1946@gmail.com .

I don’t think that I mentioned I bought a whistle last weekend to use in class.  Saying "QUIET” was getting to my voice.   Needless to say they were a little shocked when I blew my whistle on the first day.

We’re experiencing a late summer weekend here.  The weather is beautiful.