“Egemenlik kayitsiz sartsiz milletin” – Attaturk.

Today I had the best day yet in Turkey. It was one of those days that you keep snapping out of and thinking “Is this really happening?”. However, I kept thinking “Is this really happening to me? Evie Stannard? The clumsiest, most ineloquent, un-academic (is un-academic a word?) individual you would ever meet?” They answer to this question was Evet. Yes. It was happening, and I’m so lucky that it was.

Although my day started with a very stressful dolmus ride (It was my first time to travel in Ankara rush hour. Not fun, I tell ya. Do not wanna do that again) I finally arrived in Kizalay, with very frizzy hair and panting rather animialistically. I need not to worry however, as Semra, my Turkish mother and the woman that was able to give me such a fantastic opportunity (she is the director of law in the grand assembly. She sits with the speaker to maintain lawful partiality within the assembly. She doesn’t need to show her pass anywhere within the parliament because she’s so important. She is also a babe.) was still waiting for me. We strolled towards parliament, ducking into a jewellery shop where she bought me a gorgeous necklace for my birthday. Afterwards, we continued and arrived at the parliament.

I was an honourary member of the “English Speaking Club” which consisted of 5 members including Semra. They meet weekly to read political passages in order to improve their English. At said club, was two commissioners of human rights, a political computer hacker (I think?) and a social research assistant. I got talking to the commissioner of human rights and we exchanged emails – he has invited me to come to any of his meetings and to talk to him at any point. The best way to describe this, is a politics students wet dream.
We then joined Semras friend for cay. Semra and her were chatting and she picked up a document from her desk, shouted Suriye Suriye Suriye (Syria in Turkish) and quite forcefully put the paper down. Exciting. I had no idea what she was saying  -but still, exciting.
Apres ca, Semra showed me the grand national assembly, which is a beautiful building, we were allowed to go inside and it was very surreal to see the room which I have seen on the news a lot fairly recently in person. Gobsmacked. Following this we strolled round the MP’s buildings and through the gardens, and visited the ottoman pottery store.

Incredible, surreal and amazing day. I am a lucky panda.

P.s, I had my Turkish coffee fortune read last night. It was very strange. Semra read that my life was divided, and one may be at times weaker than the other. She said on one side of the cup, there was a woman alone. But she was strong, and she had a torch in her hand. Every time this torch went out she relit it, which meant her paths of life were always open and clear. On the other side, were two figures alone in a box (she suggested this may be me and my boyfriend, who clearly loved each other very much) She said that there was an angel looking over us, and that although things may be hard, the angel will protect us and our love (AWWWWWWWWWWW) Then came the weirdest bit, she pointed to a smudge on the side of the mug and said, that this my flight back to England. This was connecting my two lives. And then, she said “hmmmm… something about a festival? … a music festival maybe?” GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL. I BOUGHT MY TICKET ON SUNDAY. SHE WOULD HAVE HAD NO IDEA. SHE HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT. TURKEY IS MAGIC.

 Chillin' at the speakers door.

 Honorary member of English Speaking Club

Making Turk Kahve like a boss.

Being a Vegetarian in Turkey is harder than expected..

I am a bit stumped on this update. I know I have been busy – and I know I have been doing things but exactly what, and in which manner is baffling me. I put it down to lack of sleep and protein. People always told me that it would be easy to be vegetarian in Tukrey, and these people were wrong. It is hard. My body is craving protein, in any form. Preferably grilled Medium Rare. It is odd because, I do not crave meat – I do not remember what meat tastes like, but there is something within me that is quite clearly craving the nutritional value it holds. Vegetables and potatoes can only be cooked in a certain manner of ways. I miss Quorn. And most of all, I miss Quorn Scotch eggs – they say absence makes the heart grow stronger and ”they” are definitely correct when it comes to Quorn Scoth Eggs.

So – I have successfully rambled for 164 words but not it is time to get down to business. What have you been doing with yourself Evie? (I hear you all shout) Well – here it is – I’ll tell you.

This past few weeks have mainly involved doing student like activities in a Turkish manner. These activities may be reflected in the following; flooding the entire bathroom with at least 4 inches of water, drinking, being hungover, being clumsy and having a fair few “Evie” moments and “Evie” days, being skint and not doing any university work. However, these have all been conducted with a certain element of Ottoman spice – and so shall be discussed. Flooding the bathroom was not my fault. Just like losing the keys wasn’t my fault. And being skint isn’t my fault. It is a higher power that controls these things and I am not to be held responsible. However, when you and your new French housemate have to spend about 40 minutes ladling water into a bucket there is an element of guilt present. Apparently you have to put the pipe from the washing machine into the shower – and that’s what it is for. But who am I to know such complex witchcraft?!

Drinking with Ottoman Spice (my new term for things being a la Turk) is also fun. Especially when you accidently buy a bottle of Karpuz flavoured Vodka. A great surprise indeed – as we all know, anything flavoured Karpuz wins. It is also very fun trying to navigate a taxi driver back to a flat you don’t really know how to get too ( even when all your braincells are functioning) wearing a plastic tiara, and not speaking the language.  I attended my friends 21^st birthday party this Friday just gone, which took place in the infamous Ankara Erasmus flat. This flat has a wall that is covered from floor to ceiling in beer cans. They’re also beer cans lining the walls of the walls of the perimeter of the entire flat. In said flat, was about 100 people of all nationalities. This mixed with a lot of Efes resulted in situation decribed above, some vomit, a lot of international love (Pitbull style – and to the older wiser readers, Pitbull is a rapper with a song called “international love” and it is not an innuendo of any form.

Classes have also properly started. Lectures here are three hours long. Three hours long, with no lecture slides and simply the spoken word as a means of teaching. I think I will adapt to this style, but at the moment having 6 hours of university in one day (I had 6 hours of teaching in an entire week in Leeds) is very taxing. Saying that, the level of teaching is really excellent. I think I’ve actually learnt more in the past week than I have done in the two years already spent in Leeds. Some things are confusing, and it’s always awkward when Turkish names and phrases are thrown about (especially in the Module Middle East in World Affairs – Hareshmites say what?) but generally I am very impressed with the focus on teaching in METU. You can tell that the professors actually enjoy giving the lectures – rather than in Leeds where you can tell that your personal development is as important to them as Christmas day is to a Muslim country. (I have class on Christmas Day L)  The Turkish students are really welcoming, and I have made a few friends in my classes – however it is very tempting to stay in an international bubble – but this is something I really want to be careful of. The university campus is an exciting place, just today was a huge anti-war protest over Turkeys actions in Syria. It is very easy to forget that you are living in a very industrial and fabricated city whilst you spend your days on Campus, and I found myself being surprised that people were speaking Turkish as I walked into class today. The fact that everyone’s level of English is so amazing does not help  my Turkish. Although, I did have my first interaction entirely in Turkish the other day – only to accidently find myself buying the most expensive bottle of wine in the shop. Ooops. I have found myself getting used to things on campus, and it feel a little bit like home now. I always have to take a step back and remind myself that certain things are very different here. For instance, it is common practise for students to hitchhike around the campus – and you often see lines of people, thumbs in air trying to catch a lift. I am yet to try it, as I don’t want  to try and explain where I want to go in Turkish  -as I’ll probz end up somewhere completely different. I will one day though, when the snow is thick enough and my knee is inevitably dislocated. Also, the word “Hocam” is used in every single sentence, and by everyone  on the campus. This literally translates as “my teacher” but it used to students, by students, by workers, to workers, to dolmus drivers and just about anyone. Nikidar Hocam? (How much, my teacher?) Bir cay lutfen hocam (One tea please my teacher.) Apparently if using this term anywhere else in Ankara, or Turkey people will know that you are from ODTU. (Turkish METU) There was also a cat mincing around the third floor of the library today whilst I was there. Which was weird, and brilliant. I have no idea how he got through the revolving door but he looked pretty chuffed strutting around the sleeping students in the Library.  Talking of cats, I am desperately trying to entice a big ginger tom to come and live in our flat. I’ve named him BNOC (big name on campus) and I have been feeding him tuna. I think he’s using me though.

Talking of hospitality, my flat has been somewhat of a refugee camp this week. Two friends, one French and one English had been made homeless due to some very unfortunate circumstances. They have been sleeping on my sofas for 5 nights now. Luckily one has found a flat, but the other is still looking. It’s been really fun having them here , although our flat is not designed for 5 people to live here. I will be sad to see them go.  I seem to have some kind of embedded maternal instinct in me which makes me want to look after them,  and also I would like to think If I was in such a situation someone would do the same for me.  They have both managed to find homes now, and it was sad to see them go. I now know how a mother feels when their babies leave the nest.

I too have been mothered as of recently. I have started working  helping  exchanging.. I don’t really know what it is but I have met a Turkish family. I go round twice a week, and have a lovely time. They are some of the nicest and welcoming people I have come across. Our agreement is that I spend a few hours with their 14 year old daughter, speaking in English with her. Answering her questions, helping her with her homework and generally chilling with her. She is studying for an International Bacalarent and is taught in English. She claims her pronunciation is not great, and that is where I am meant to help – but I think she is incredible. She is only 14 and is pretty much fluent already. In exchange for this, the family cook me delicious dinners and talk in Turkish with me  (I listen and try and repeat) They have already bought me a Turkish coffee set, and have really welcomed me into the family. Their son, Bora, who is only 8 and speaks no English at all is wicked – and is always leaping around and generally being adorable, has said to his mum that he wanted to call me his big sister. Whatacutie.  He also sang the Turkish version of postman pat to me. This exchange of culture has also worked out massively  in my advantage. I did not know, but the mother of the family, Semra works in the Turkish Grand Assembly. The Turkish Parliament. She is a law adviser to the speaker of the assembly, a very very prestigious roll. And, in true Turkish style (overly hospitable and kind) she has invited me to join her for lunch with the commissioner of Human Rights and the electoral chief on Monday. For a politics undergrad – this is pretty much a big deal. I am so excited. After lunch we will sit in on a Parliamentry debate, and a policy formation meeting– and considering what is going on at the moment, it could be pretty monumental. I am so excited, and feel so lucky and blessed to have such an opportunity. Although, I’ll probably piss this oppetunity down the drain and tell some bizzare story unrelated to anything and then get confused and start awkwardly laughing and tell the commissioner of human rights that my brother has ferrets actually….

My luck has also continued, and I have landed myself a job. This time teaching at an international language school. I am yet to know details, but the school works on a one on one basis with two hour sessions, and they pay you. (Usually how a job works) I am yet to meet my student, but the director has told me that sometimes the requirements they need to improve their English is very specific. For example, I may be teaching a doctor the medical and practical terms for certain practices, and to help with their bedside manner. This will be easy after my experience in hospital, as I can simply just feed them so many painkillers until they feel like they have smoked 50 joints and then leave them in a waiting room.

In conclusion the following things are of most importance;

1)      I have found Heinz Baked Beans in Ankara. Many thanks to my friend Tahla for his hard work and efforts. I appreciate it.

2)      A german guy called Justeese – (prounounced Justice, wicked name) stole the handle to my toilet door during predrinks last night as he thought it would be funny. He just text me apologising for this. It is pretty crucial to have the handle when trying to use a door I find.

3)      I have spent so much time with French people this last week that I think my life long goal to be French is finally coming true

4)      I learnt how to say I want to get off the Dolmus, and I have got off the dolmus. Inechek var.

5)      I saw a man on a motorbike the other day, wife behind him – driving around with a huge bag dragging around behind the bike, filled with plastic bottles. Attached to the bike was also a cart – which had two toddelers just chilling in it. Amazing

6)      There was a cat on the third floor of the library today. My question is, how did it get through the revolving doors?

7)      I will be back in England in 6 days. Wahey!

 Beer Wall. Efes galore.

 Sneaky cat.

 Princess Evie after one too many

 My flat being an international haven 

SEE YOU IN 6 DAYS WOOHOOOOO

 Sunny Ankara

 BNOC jus' chillin'

 My beautiful Turkish family in their beautiful home.

Trying to be multicultural and tending to all the nationalities of our flat.