TURKEY, PART 5 OF 5: TURKISH DELIGHTS

When traveling to someplace new I like to pay special close attention to the nuances and differences compared to the United States. Here are some that stood out:

• The only people who smoke more cigarettes than a Turk are two Turks.
• The Turkish Lira is the official currency however Euros are found throughout the tourist areas and in Cappadocia some of the tour operators will even takes USD’s.
• Keyif, the Arabic term meaning “mood, contentment, intoxication.” The Turks have finely crafted this Art of Relaxation and the older gentlemen have perfected it.
• Gas is about $8.50/gallon.
• Many gas stations throughout the countryside have super clean bathrooms (providing slippers for the ladies when using eastern-style pit toilets), a prayer room (of course) and oftentimes excellent fresh food at the attached lokanta (cafeteria). It’s likely you’ll be offered cay (tea, pronounced chai). Expect few attendants to speak English so a friendly merhaba (hello) and tesekkur ederim (thank you) goes a long way.
• Everyone, including the Turks, drinks bottled water. And, it’s cheap.
• Bread, lots of bread, is served with every meal.
• Don’t flush the toilet paper (old pipes throughout the country) and good luck finding Kleenex in your hotel room (packs are sold on the streets).
• We met quite a few younger people in Istanbul who said, “Participating in the Taksim Square summer 2013 protests was one of the most important and beautiful things I’ve ever done.”
• Forget liability in Turkey:  no hand railings on stairwells, guardrails on roads are practically non-existent, open windows at 15 stories and precarious access to outdoor historical/cultural sites is the norm.
• Stray dogs are adopted by neighborhoods and their ears are tagged to signify they’re cared for.
• Business cards. Nearly everyone has them, even owners of the smallest restaurant or shop, and they’re passed out with fervor.
• There is a true sense of generosity and friendship in the Turks. It’s easy to make friends. –Rochelle, April 2014