Site SeeingAside from studies at METU, I managed to do a lot of site seeing in Turkey. The program coordinators at METU planned a number of outings for
us. In fact, we were busy nearly every weekend with some trip. The
first weekend we just looked around Ankara. We went to the mausoleum
where
Ataturk (the founder of Turkey) is buried. We also walked around the
old town in the center of Ankara and took in some of traditional culture
of Turkey.
Ice CreamOne of our favorite things about the sort of modern culture was the sticky
ice cream that the guys on the street like to sell to
you. They use a long crow-bar-like rod to pry the ice cream out of their
little coolers. Then they stick it on the cone and offer it to you.
Well, it is pretty tough to get the sticky ice cream and the cone to come
off of the bar, so they make a game out of it. Sometimes, they turn the
cone up just as you reach for it. Other times they let you take the cone
and leave the ice cream on the rod. Eventually you get your cone and
some tasty ice cream, but not before they ring their bell a few times and
attract a crowd of visitors. It is very good for business. I think all
tourists have to try this at least once.
SocializingWe spent many a night just out at a bar or coffee shop socializing with some of our Turkish friends. The Turkish food is a lot like Greek
(even though they would never admit it) food and Turkish tea was my
favorite. I passed many an hour with a friend and a few shots of Turkish
tea. I say shots because the tea comes in little glasses that are only a
couple shots large. They are curvy ("like a beautiful woman") and clear
and just right for some hot, strong tea. I usually had mine with two
sugar cubes as I am not normally a big tea drinker.
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