International Women's Day or How to Get Girls in Turkey

We went to the grocery store on International Women's Day or perhaps it was the day after.  As usual, I sent a girl and Sam down the block to the bakery to buy our weekly loaves.  This gives those two a chance to use some Turkish, pay with Turkish money and saves us a stop after we've finished in the grocery store.  That particular day, it was Johanna and Sam who headed to the bakery.

Nicole and Cam and I went into Kipa.  Cam went one way to fill his cart with water bottles while Nicole and I went together down the refrigerator aisle.  We were separated by a few feet when one of the young men who works at the store came to me with three carnations in his hand.  He gave me one and then headed in Nicole's direction.  I watched him make the presentation and then head towards where Cam was shopping.

How sweet! I thought, the store is giving all the ladies flowers to celebrate International Women's Day. However, when we got to the cash register I noticed that none of the other ladies in the store had carnations ... only Nicole and I.

The young man in the meantime had hidden himself away, so Johanna didn't get a flower when she and Sam returned from the bakery (I gave her mine).  I chuckled all the way to the car where I let Cam and the kids in on the secret.   

What's Normal in Turkey?

I've been feeling out of sorts since we returned to Turkey, in August. I'm homesick I guess; if that is what you call it when you miss your family and friends. Anyway for the first time in a long while I played tourist with my camera in Gelibolu. The camera and a ramble through the Tuesday market helped remind me just what an amazing opportunity it has been to live here. These pictures represent some every day sights; what's normal in Turkey.

The outside couch. This one is in the Kipa (grocery store) parking lot.

Residential bottled water delivery.

Scooter + wagon + man

More deliveries.  This time with a small truck.  See the oncoming traffic and the pedestrian?

Painter climbing up a level on the scaffolding.

He's wearing safety flip-flops. Do you see the safety harness?  Me neither.

Horse power is also used for deliveries.

We're following the horse and cart. The men are in short sleeves, but the woman, especially the one on the right  is dressed much like she'll be dressed in February.  However, in the winter months she'll trade her light coloured short coat for a darker coloured long coat. In Turkey, drafts are dangerous.

We're still following the horse and cart. Sidewalks aren't much taller than the street here.  This allows cars to park on them so pedestrians walk on the road in many places.

Weird But Practical Pants

Today we went to the Saturday market (pazaar) which was interesting as usual; I don’t have any pictures. I was going to take my camera but I chickened out at the last minute. Maybe next time....Mom and I bought Weird But Practical Pants. Weird But Practical Pants are worn by the majority of the elderly ladies, but Mom and I think they’re cool.

Anyways, while Mom & Dad were paying for groceries at Kipa, Mom sent Sam and I to the bread shop to buy…. Well, bread. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump from Kipa, we arrived and waited our turn. Since this was technically the first time I’ve bought bread on my own it was a little bumpy. But the Bread Guy is really patient and helpful.  Between the Bread Guy, the girl who came in after us, and I,  we got the correct amount of money counted out. I got Sam to carry some of the bread and off we went. :)
-Nicole 

Maple Syrup

We went into Keşan yesterday. We bought some maple syrup:

This stuff is a product of Canada, which is almost funny.

 I'm seeing pancakes in our future....