|
Dolmus
Very important in the Turkish experience, is the ride on a shared taxi or mini bus. The Turkish name for this popular form of transport translates as something like "full" and so you must wait until the bus fills up before it takes off on its route. I found the gathering spot for these in Kizilay and had no trouble catching the next blue bomber to ODTU. Yes, the old route out to campus. The road is lined with military headquarters and other important buildings that require high fences and heavily armed guards. Out in the countryside, we find the fortress known as Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi or the Middle East Technical Institute.
Homecoming
I had to get out at the gate and explain my case to the guard. By the time I had exchanged my passport for an entrance pass, the dolmus was already gone. I started walking up the long hot road to campus. I recall many similar walks along these roads. It was a hot place to take a summer school. The school tries to plant lots of trees and water the grass in just the right spots, but some places are still desert-like. Walked past the old library and some of my classrooms until I came to the administration building. There, I just happened to run into the woman I was looking for.
Lunch in the Faculty Cafeteria
Shirley Epir is still the director of the summer program that I was enrolled in in 1995. She told me how attendance has been pretty sluggish over the past years. I think they have a good thing going, but I guess it is a tough sell for people who have never heard of Ankara. At lunch, we ran into one of the best professors I have ever had, Dr. Aksit. With his brilliant input, we were able to discuss the political situation, the Black Sea coast, and life in general. It was funny to be back in the company of such people. METU really is a mecca for the genius of this area.
Tour
After checking my emailing on the horribly slow METU internet connection, I bid fairwell to Ms. Epir and headed for a walk around campus. The place felt homey yet foreign all at the same time. I don't know how I was able to survive in such a foreign environment for two months. There is something comforting about a college campus in any city, though. A few things had changed. The school-run grocery and restaurant evidently weren't making enough money, so they privatized. Like my school back home, METU has been invaded by McDonalds despite some student protest. There is a new convention center finished now too. The good old stadium bleaches are still marked with my favorite slogan, though, "Revolution."
Evening
I got back in town just before the banks closed at five. Koc Bank was holding my new Citibank Visa for me. That was a bit of a relief to get in my hands, although I am still short on cash. I celebrated by getting a cheap ice cream and sitting out on the street for a bit. That night I made a trip up to the big Kocatepe Mosque to check out the huge department store built UNDERNEATH the place. From the looks of this place, one would never guess that the Turkish economy has any problems. Perhaps because of the inflation, people just spend their money as soon as they get it, which causes more inflation... I read some of my books and went to bed.
|