The Wingfest was a success as they usually are.  Many indulged in wings and sat and drank together.  Much jocularity took place.  But … I left my camera on top of the host’s refrigerator and will not have it in my possession until next weekend.  So, until then …

Winter is here in Ankara.  Has been for several months.  Ironically, when I worked several weeks in warm Adana which is close to the Mediterranean coast, Ankara received several dumpings of snow.

The Turks are not good drivers.  They are always in a hurry when they drive and will cut you off to get in front of you at a light.  So when the snow and ice comes to Ankara, it is often comical to sit at our 7^th floor windows with coffee and watch the spinouts on the street below.

At one point, the snow was so heavy, when Terese took a taxi to the Embassy, the driver gave up just a few blocks along, stopped at an intersection and said, “Bitti.” (it’s finished) and left her on the curb.  “No charge,” he stated as he drove away to get through the intersection and head back the direction he came.

Luckily, she was able to stop a more daring taxi driver.

About a month ago, the woman went out with one of her more rambunctious friends and while climbing into a taxi, her phone jumped out of her purse and landed in the street.  An alert valet saw it fall out but was not able to get it at the moment.  He saw several men pick it up and pocket it.  When he was free, he went and forced them to give it back.  The next day, with the help of a Turk in the Embassy, phone calls were made and it was found.  Later that day she had it back.  The SIM card was removed, but she was able to get a replacement.

So, all was good for a few days.

When I check out of a hotel, often I will forget my phone charger.  So I ordered some cheap ones from Amazon.  Ten of them for $11.36.  A real bargain.  But I did violate one of my rules for ordering off the Internet: Read the reviews.

So I gave one to Terese to use and she plugged her phone into it; the phone that was previously lost and now found.

The next morning as we headed off the work, her phone would not come on.  The nifty little charger I gave her showed evidence that the smoke inside escaped, and the breaker feeding the receptacle it was plugged into was tripped.  All this was not a good sign.

Further inspection determined her $600 phone was fried.  Evidence on it indicated the smoke escaped from it also.  All in all, it was not a pretty picture.  No.  Not a pretty picture.

So, she now has a new phone, not as nice as the one which gave up the ghost, but nice enough.  In the months that will follow, she will set money aside, a little at time and later purchase a new one, perhaps in the summer when we are home in the States.

So, until I get my camera back and can post some pics, kick butt and read the reviews.    D.

It’s been awhile since we visited.  After the first of the year we have been busy working on a project in Adana which has finally come to the end, just in time to advance to the next project.  Traveling to and fro with little time to sit and write, but that is not a bad thing.  Then the gods of the nether world hit me with a cold which kept me from being a normal human being for a week, but I recovered to a great extent and now I can sleep without scaring the damn cat with ungodly snoring.

This Friday the 13^th, we plan to have another annual Wingfest and should be able to post some pictures of it that weekend.  Stay tuned.

Last Saturday, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Turkish wedding, between good friends of ours. Allison is in the Foreign Service and hails from the small Texas town of Stinnett. Serkan is one of the guards at the Embassy. Both are incredibly good people and we are fortunate to be a part of their lives.

The actual wedding service is simply the couple sitting at a fancy table on one end, the witnesses on the other, and the Officiator in the middle.  Allison and Serkan as they enter.They sat at the table and listened to the Officiator ask the proverbial question, “Do you …”  Serkan was asked first and he grabbed the microphone and firmly stated, “Evet!” (yes!)  Allison was asked the question and with a demur smile, she stated, “Evet!”  Then they sign a paper which is passed on to the witnesses and then the Officiator.  After that, it is stated they are married.  All this took place with a very casual atmosphere.  People were joking with everyone on stage as the  photographers walked all about taking their pictures, all during the process.Then they stood in a reception line and people filed past them congratulating them and wishing the best.  This took place at a wedding palace which had couples come in and do their thing, then move out so the next couple could come in.  Below are pictures of the couple during the photography session afterwards. And below is a picture I had to take and present, because it typifies many places of the world that few Americans see and appreciate.  The man below is selling balloons and simit, which is a pretzel with sesame seeds.Later that evening, the dinner was held which is the essence of the celebration.  We sat in a table in the back end, which to me was perfect, because it enabled me to to see and watch people.  And I love taking pictures of shiny things. Food was brought in four courses.  This was beef and delicious.  This small portion is common throughout most of the world which is just the right amount.  Any larger and I would think I was in America.

The music played and the people danced.  Allison would dance as long as she could, but Serkan continued to dance all night.  I don’t think he ever stopped except to find someone else to drag out onto the floor.  At one point, he grabbed my hand and led me out there, and I made some resemblance of a dance until he turned to someone else.  Maybe 5-10 seconds then I disappeared, with full intention of avoiding that area again. The energy typifies the joy of the evening.  Weddings are naturally joyous and it’s good to see people you know and love enjoying life as all people are meant to.  My heartfelt congratulations to these two and I hope to continue our freindship.  In May, they will travel to America, specifically the Texas Panhandle for Serkan to meet the rest of Allison’s family that did not make it to Turkey.  They are planning to make a stop in Lubbock to meet a friend of Allison and to let Serkan meet an incredible 96 year Texas Lady.  I wish I could be there.                  D.

Heading to a wedding between an American and a Turk this afternoon.  Hope to have some pictures to show you later.

Terese and I spent 5 weeks in the States and got to meet with many of our families and friends, but we are glad to be back home.

Until I generate more words for reading, I have posted a Christmas story from many years ago.   It’s a long read but worth it, and titled, Roses.  Click on the red link and it will take you there.

Kick butt and have a good Christmas if you don’t hear from me before.

D.

… as we are in the States on R&R.

Will find something to post soon.

In the meantime, keep kicking butt.   D.