Job Discussion Forums

[ak_tesl]

A few years back, I taught ESL in South America.

I find Turkey to be very similar to countries in Latin America: friendly and out-going people, cars have the right of way, a general state of disrepair, rampant beaurocracy, a large gap between rich and poor, long line-ups at banks on pay-day, a large informal economy, streets get flooded after a rain, and people work long hours to make ends meet.

The well-to-do districts in Turkish cities are filled with high-rises, which get lowered down to war-thorn-looking �box� homes as one move to poorer areas. And there is extreme poverty: Entire families (mainly refugees from East Turkey) live in tents, in suburban areas, without running water and electricity.

Sunday mornings are feast day as students bring homemade goodies.

[Otterman Ollie]

Well it sounds just like Istanbul,another good reason to stay away .

[ladonnaoscurata]

Otterman Ollie, I'm not sure I understand why these would be good reasons to stay away from Istanbul which, as I have come to understand, is a wonderful city rich in culture and history. There are always going to be negatives about the places in which one lives and I don't see any way of avoiding that. If it's not poverty then it's pollution, if the goverment's not lacking in organisation then it's too strict, etc. If you know where the city of Utopia is, could you let me know?

[Berret�n]

Yes I agree!

I also lived in South America. Being in Istanbul I do have an uncanny sensation that I am back in South America all over again!

Of course it makes me feel kind of at home, that South America feeling. But I expect that the similarities are just superficial and the longer I stay here the more I will realise that this is nothing like South America at all. For a start the food here is a hell of a lot better (than Chile), the weather is a hell of a lot worse and Turkish is a whole lot weirder than Spanish.

[dmb]

[TeachEnglish]

Turkey is an interesting place. I like living here in Istanbul inspite of the rising cost of living. I love Turkey. There are so many interesting places to visit. If you get an opportunity to explore some of the other areas of Turkey, you should do it. Every day in Istanbul is still an adventure.

[ladonnaoscurata]

dmb, was that a sarcastic remark? 'Cause if not, I totally get what you mean. When I was in Bucharest, which is probably quite similar to Istanbul in many ways, I came to enjoy all the stray cats and dogs, the horse-drawn "gypsy" carts, communist-era apartment blocks, etc. A bit strange, huh? But I figure when it comes to falling in love with a city it's the same as a relationship, you begin to accept or even like all of it's quirks.

[dmb]

Me? Sarcastic?
I love this city. always have done and always will. Why? I haven't a clue. maybe the element of surprise.
The things that many foreigners complain about, I just accept as a way of life.

a couple of years ago I was walking home at 2 in the morning. Down a flight of stairs from Taksim to Cihangir. It was about 2-300 meters long. Anyway about about half way down there was a bloke witha barrow, shouting at the top of his voice. A kilo of peaches for x TL. I stopped and asked him who he was selling to, there wasn't a person in sight, except me. His answer? Maybe someone wants them. I loved his optimism. Maybe that's what I love about Istanbul.

[Baba Alex]

[dmb]

Nah, I was busy munching on a kebab at the time.

[Otterman Ollie]

Ladonnascutata, Oh don't take me so literally ,I like this place really and have lived here longer than most . Some people think that London is England and judge the whole country by it ,the same with Istanbul.There is no denying the culture and history is unsurpassed ,but would you really want to live there if you had a choice ,nice to visit for a few days then somewhere less in your face a gentler pace and a hell of a lot cheaper where the crime rate is not on a par with down town NewYork . I am lucky that I chose the right place first time but some, well, they have yet to find their own spot . I t really suits me that the vast majority of posters on this forum live a long way from here ,they can watch football til their hearts content .

[dmb]

Ollie, my first 18 months was in your neck of the woods. I think Izmir is a great place for a visit.... but I am happier in Istanbul. Each to their own.

[whynotme]