(and I’m not talking Turkey, Texas)

Oktoberfest is an annual Bavarian celebration starting back in 1810.  In Germany  (the land of my Forefathers), the celebration will last 16 days and has carnival rides and vendors.  I tried to determine the actual reason for the joyous merriment, but could only find a reference to drinking beer, eating great quantities of German food, and drinking more beer; all done while bands play.  My research shows the festival was often combined with other celebrations but the first was simply a agricultural show in Munich.  There were several years in the past when the celebration did not take place usually caused by a war, or a Cholera epidemic or the economy.

The German Embassy hosted Oktoberfest this last Thursday and Friday nights.  We hailed a taxi and arrived about 7pm.  The German Embassy has a large tent set up, probably used for various gatherings.  It would be hard to determine how many people were there, but I understand the tickets get sold out within a few days.

I was expecting this would be like one of the balls we had attended in the past, where many large round tables were set up for about 10 to 12 people.  Here, the seating is picnic tables set up end to end, filling the huge tent.  Each table had scatterings of pretzels and cheese.

Each of the four corners of the huge tent had a beer tap.  It was turned on and left running.  One man would take a tankard, (or mug) and fill it with another waiting under it.  As soon as one was filled, it was picked up by a waiter or passerby.  There was wine for the choosiest of the people and plenty of cartons of juices for the non drinkers.  Elsewhere on the tables were rows of bottle water.

I have never seen so many people, consume such great quantities of beer in the hours we were there.  Every now and then, I would see 4 or 5 waiters carrying kegs of beer to the taps.  About 8 o’clock, waiters started placing plates of potato salad on the tables.  Many plates.  The eating was family style.  You just found a place to sit and started grabbing the food.  About 15 minutes later, they brought out trays of sausages followed by chicken legs.  Everything was perfectly seasoned.  I ate a lot of sausages and chicken.  During the actual festivals in Germany, many other types of German food are added to the menu, most notably sauerkraut.

No one really sat at their assigned tables, so we gathered with others from the American Embassy.  At our table, there was an old couple who had been to many of these festivals, evidenced by the fact they knew all the songs and knew when to raise their tankards.  They did not speak English, but they smiled and toasted with everyone like we were family.

The atmosphere was eating, drinking and singing.  As the beer was consumed, the dancing began.

In truth, beer is something you never buy, it is simply rented.  So as is expected with the consumption of beer, you will also see a strong need for a urinal.  With the number of people renting the beer, the need for many urinals was great.  Someone in the Urine Industry has invented a nifty way for three men to use a pyramid shaped urinal at one time.  No need to use the porta-potties seen at construction sites.

Now, evidently it takes women longer to rid themselves of beer, so fidgety women are always standing in line waited to use their facilities.  As a result, many simply went into the men’s side and stole use of the porta-potties.  …  I saw no man complain.

To help put the celebration into proper prospective, several vendors set up booths selling clothing and souvenirs of the Festival.  So my lovely wife went and purchased a dirndl dress to help celebrate.

This was the first Oktoberfest we have attended, and as I research it, I find it is one of thousands across the Globe.  It was small by comparison to those in Munich where it originated, but we enjoyed it and will be going to the next one, and the next, and the next …

Man, that was some great food!

This is the country with Mount Ararat where Noah’s Ark was said to have landed.  It has the area called Cappadocia, the community of some of the earliest Christians; and Ephesus, where the Virgin Mary lived out her life.

Some will tell you Turkey is part of the European Union, and there are others who will spit on the ground if you suggest such.

We finally flew into Ankara and was picked up by my boss at the airport.  By the time we arrived to our new apartment, it was about 1 AM.  We were dead to reality and just had to de-compress.  It took four flights to go from Texas to the capital city of Turkey.  The flights included a nine hour layover in Frankfurt.

Our apartment is on the 7^th floor of a 15 story complex.  We face the morning sunrise in the East, watching the fog and clouds which blanket the mountains.  Even with the prominent apartment buildings all around, we can still see the sun as it awakens and rises up and over the city.  It is a site we will enjoy for the next three years.

A boss I had years ago who served three years in Turkey, will tell you this country is a second world country that is trying to become a Third World.  I never knew for sure what he meant by that until I arrived.  It is a country that refuses to rid itself of the aspects of a Third World country, but wants to be modern.

Even though there are traffic lights that work, as opposed to Addis Ababa, and several places in the city you can find Starbucks or Burger King, you will still see young kids sorting through the garbage looking for trash with value.  It is accepted and normal.  It’s as if the Country does not want to move ahead.

We have been here since the 17^th of September.  Our household effects will not be here for another month and if our vehicle gets here before the New Year, I will be surprised.  As with most countries overseas, they enjoy being able to “lord” over the United States.  They will take their time on dealing with the Customs on any item coming from the US, because they can.  Years ago, when we were in Moscow, I learned we just have to play the games.

So, to get to and from work, I have to hitch a ride with someone else, or use the public transportation, which is actually safe and efficient.  I just need to learn how to use the fare cards.  Several times we had to rely on the local taxis.  Since Turkey requires all taxis to be metered, it is more difficult to cheat the passenger; unlike Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and New York City.  But to say the taxi rides are uneventful would be incorrect.

I worked in Turkey for several weeks, a few years ago and was shaken up a time or two with the taxi drivers.  Since then, Ankara has installed video cameras at many intersections to catch speeders and those who run red lights.  They just send you a fine in the mail.  But the taxi drivers will still inject their cab into points of traffic where there should be no cars.  Today, I saw a taxi pull from the far right hand lane, across all the lanes of traffic, during red light to do a U-turn.  All we could do was laugh.

Our apartment is nice and modern.  The kitchen has about three times the counter space and four times the cabinets than our kitchen in Addis.  The kitchen itself looks like it came out of the IKEA catalog.  The Swedes are experts on finding ways to save space.  We like this place and will enjoy.  Throughout the rest of the apartment, are ample closets and storage places.  Down in the underground garage, we have two parking spots and a small storage closet.

The compound has 24 hr guards patrolling the area.  Every vehicle that is questionable, will be stopped.

We have very good Internet, especially after being in Addis and plenty of cable TV.  Only thing is, even though English is used in many countries, Turkey is one where you will find only rare signs and instructions in our language.  I fear I will have to learn some of the language.  My wife will disagree, but to me, it has similarities to Russian.

Work has been busy and I will be doing a lot of travel in the next month.  Terese will pick a time to go back to Addis and get the damn cat.  To prove to her I miss the animal, I named the wifi connection after it. (damn cat wifi)

This Friday we will be attending Oktoberfest at the German Embassy which is right next to the American Embassy.  It promises to be fun.  Then we will have a week long holiday and I hope to get more thoughts down.  In the meantime, kick butt.   D.

It took 6 weeks of what felt like insurmountable odds, but we finally made it back to the US.  We were in the States for 5 weeks, then on to our next Post.

The previous two months, I had three trips I had to make and then on my return, I had several projects I had to finish before we could get out.  This was done amidst all the packout process.

But, we availed, and now have arrived at our next location.

It was difficult saying goodbye to everyone.  The guards stood around in tears.  Even the housekeeper from next door came to say goodbye.  We didn’t have time to go to the hill once more to see Hiwot, so I had to rush up and say goodbye just minutes before we left.  Wasn’t any time for discussion, but I gave her enough Birr to pay for her next two advanced medical courses.  Then I took her thin face in my hands and turned her head to kiss her cheek, and then the other cheek; like I have done many times to my daughter.  I left her with tears in her eyes, and I would be lying if I say it did not affect me, as I will miss her.

We have gained many friends while there.  There was a little female guard who hung around me when I worked in her area.  Her name is Martha and she wanted me to teach her to be an electrician.  She was fascinated by the screwdriver we use with the interchangeable tips, so I gave her an extra one I had at home.  She was shocked when I later asked her if she gave it to her husband.  She replied, “No! You gave it to me!”  I asked, “Did you use it yet?”  She said, “Yes, on the toilet.”  (I did not ask further)

Martha surprised me on our last day with a few gifts just as we were leaving.  She gave me a very colorful Ethiopian shirt, and Terese a scarf.  She wanted me to make sure I stayed in contact with her on Facebook.

Terese had made a great many friends.  I swear there is probably more than one signpost that knows her and will miss her.  (inside joke)  Many of the people in the Consular Section had become close to her.  She will have to list them, as there are too many for me.

She will always have the most interesting story to tell about her short dance with the bull.  Even though the bull won the first act, we are certain he lost after the curtain dropped.

We flew into Washington DC for a week to take care of several business and medical issues.  We got to see our friends, crazy blonde twins who can both amuse and befuddle you.

After flying to Texas, we spent a few days in Houston seeing Terese’s one year old Grandchild.  Then spent a few days on a beach in Destin, FL. with a brother, then some days fishing in the mountains of New Mexico.

We went to my 40th class reunion where everyone there has become somewhat aged throughout the years.  Not me, I’m sure.  Some of the hottest girls in school are now wrinkled up grandmothers.  But you didn’t hear that from me.

I will tell more of our next posting, but please dear Reader, give me another week and I will tell you about our next Post, one of the most interesting and ancient countries on Earth.

D.

Sorry for the lack of words. The past few weeks have been a continuous stream of stress. We have been packed out and will be heading to the States for a month or so, then on to our next post.  I have comments to make but will require some down time            .D.

It’s been a hectic last few weeks as I went to Port Louis, Mauritius to install some new equipment.  We worked some long tiring hours.  Terese came with me and was able to spend a lot of time on the beach and along the shops near the docks.  She deserves it and very much enjoyed it, plus there were a few days I was able to spend with her.

One day at noon, another co-worker and I went with Ayten to a small restaurant serving local food.  Ayten is one of our RSTs – the local security guys we work with.  He is a short round man with a bubbly mind, which makes it a task to talk to him at times.  Worse than talking to my daughter in her teen years.

The RSTs like to eat at that restaurant because the food is plentiful and cheap.  Sitting with Ayten will always yield an interesting discussion.  I like to talk with him just to see what’s in his mind.

We got into a discussion on religion.  He’s an Orthodox Christian but doesn’t adhere to the fasting and the rituals.  He said he will eat pork when he wants, but his wife and kids do not.  So, I asked him a hypothetical question I like to ask ornery people.  What follows is the conversation.

Ayten let me ask you something.

Okay, okay.                                

When you become very old …

Yes, yes.        

…  and you die.

Oh, no, no, no!         

Ayten you have to die sometime.

Okay, okay.

When you see Saint Peter at the gates of Heaven …

Yes, yes.

… what will He say to you?

Ayten leaned way back in his chair and threw his arms wide open and exclaimed, Welcome!  Welcome, my friend!

I cannot think it would be far from the truth.

When I got home, I had a day to prepare for another trip to Djibouti where I am now.  We had some outside repairs to perform, and luckily the cloud cover kept most of the direct sun off of us, but with the heat it was like working in an oven.  But I do have one day to sit out by the pool and relax before going back to work in the morning.  So, I’m sitting in a small coffee shop at the hotel and jotted these thoughts down now that I have a chance.

The next month will be very busy as I still have one more trip to make while we are packing out.  So, more later when time permits.

 Kick butt.  D.

I added a new section.  Look on the left under Page One, and click on the Something to Think About