I'm Halfway Across the World Update

Oh hi Mediterranean Sea!

Hello all my stateside friends that I rarely talk to now (Call me on Skype... maybe???)  So, obviously, a lot of things you've heard and seen on the television or radio, etc about Turkey in over the summer, well, things are simmering down now.  So it's slowly relaxing back down from all the crazy events next door in Syria; however, when that has been happening, I've still been able to enjoy Turkey when I can.

So how am I doing you are all wondering, one word: FANTASTIC!  Everything is going well over here for me.  I enjoy the quirks of Turkey and its culture, my only regret is not knowing enough of its language.

Everything that I learned over the years at some point in my short Air Force career has been put to the test.  Each stage of my past has in some way prepared me for the moment to charge head-on into the scene of any issue without much reservation.  I know I felt lost after leaving camp back in 2009 and here in Incirlik AB, I've rediscovered the passionate fire that drove me back during the summer of 2008; however, I admit that passion is much stronger than I remembered it.  My sense of humor is cranked up to 110% over here and I'm barely without a smile at any given time.  At times, I did wish you guys were here, but at least you are all here in spirit. 

I've began to discover what I am truly capable of, and using my honing my strengths to the best of my knowledge.  I haven't quite found the mentor that can continue to advise me over here, but I believe I have some solid prospects that I've seen recently.  All in all, my personal advancement and volunteering are on a solid foundation not seen in a few years.



So, how is Turkey?  It's definitely a place that your perspective will decide what you make of it.  Obvious things are a pain in the ass here (like my current car registration that has taken about three months so far)... but the people are friendly.

I've yet to visit Istanbul or Izmir; however, those trips are being planned for the near future as part of seeing Turkey.  With the purchase of the Subaru Legacy now, I can be more able to drive to places that were not quite possible before without a logistical headache (although I cannot stress enough this registration process is a pain in the ass). 

CASTLE! YAY!

Also, if you have seen my recent work on the new squadron T-shirt, it's the best return to art  since the camp map.  I know I haven't been dabbling in art as much I use to since camp, but I've wished for the opportunity to bring back a sleeping talent.

I have to admit that I haven't rested on my laurels too much since getting here and been on "go-go" mode for quite sometime.  I have realized that I have neared burnout recently, but I cannot let up for another few weeks until I put away the last set of the CDCs.


I've been here nearly 7 months and in some ways I miss the states, and in other ways I do not miss the USA.  I do miss you all and do think of everyone often, I may never say it or directly here it from me, but you are all in my thoughts and prayers.  I do love to see how all your lives are progressing from whenever I've met you and/or talked to you.

Best Regards,

Quest

Adventures in Turkey: Driving

Durrrrrrrrrr... herp

I know the world is looking at Turkey over the past weekend for the anti-government riots that engulfed Istanbul and those riots spread to every major city and resort town across Turkey.  However, the internal political problems will not be in this blog post, but of another experience I will explain on driving in Turkey.

As it is known, Turkey is quite different from the United States, and driving is another area of difference that one will experience if they wish to drive in Turkey or ride on Turkish roadways as a casual observer.  If I could describe Turkish driving habits in the fewest words possible, it would be 'Aggressive'.  While it cannot be denied that their driving style is aggressive, it is not 'entirely' reckless.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I decided to rent a manual sedan for the weekend.  It was cheap for $100 for everything for the Fiat Linea I drove to Mersin, a city of 913,958.  Since getting to Turkey, I have yet to gaze upon the Mediterranean Sea, so I took the chance to see the fabled sea I've read in the Bible and history books.

I can't say much about the performance of the Fiat Linea, since it was quite underpowered for my tastes.  Before I drove off base, I took the time the day before to drive around on base to get my manual gearbox skills back up to par against the impatient nature of Turkish drivers.  I have to admit the Fiat's gearbox is more touchy than the manuals I've dealt with in the States. 

Fiat Linea, typical compact sedan

Now, driving to Mersin consisted of a healthy mixture of urban and freeway driving, since the city was roughly an hour's drive from the base.  The local roads are drivable, but far from the best condition.  Lane markings are barely visible on most Turkish roadways, so be prepared for some on-the-fly guesswork.

 The first and foremost unspoken rule of Turkish driving in my opinion is the ability to think quickly of the unfolding situation in front of your car.  Do not care about what is happening on the sides or behind you.  If you need to look behind or the side, the Turks will let you know.  You should do the same.  It is slightly unsettling to think that you have to trust other people's decision-making around you to your overall safety when it doesn't even seem close like they are caring, but there is a hidden logic with Turkish drivers.

Secondly, consider speeding as a logical option instead of braking, especially on the freeway.  The worst thing you can do is brake on the Turkish Autobahn, exception to this rule is at police checkpoints.  Also, keep right except to pass is true here, left lane cruise controlling drivers will be tailgated to no end, high beams flashed at, and honked at in an angry tone until you are out of the far left lane.

Third, anticipate traffic signal timing.  Before turning green, Turkish signals flash yellow to signal the manual drivers to get the hell out of neutral gear and prepare to go.  Unfortunately, the signals are not on the far side of the intersection and one usually surpasses the signal and a driver behind you usually honks to tell you to get moving.  The signal will flash green before turning red, and some have timers to show how long it will be red for.  It's like drag racing a bit...

Forth, know when to act aggressive and when to be cautious, there is no middle ground.  This takes practice and active observation, but understanding this goes a long ways in becoming a good driver here.  Use of the horn is necessary to get people's attention, especially when the first rule of Turkish driving is so focused on what is happening in front of them.  I lost count of the amount of times various drivers drifted out of their lanes on accident, although a quick, loud honk brought them back into reality.

Lastly, Turkish driving a binds by the spirit of the law; however, use common sense to bend the rules.  I wouldn't suggest that you make the precedent, but seeing what other Turkish drivers do is prudent wisdom, sometimes; however, the law of common sense still applies.

I drove on the far left lane for the most part to Mersin, averaging 130-140 kph minimum (80 to 90 mph) against speedy and more powerful BMWs, VWs, and other newer cars that had better specs than the Linea.  Those cars were going an extra 20 mph easily on parts of the highway between Adana and Mersin.  The Turkish Autobahn is definitely a geared to a driver's racing mindset; however, be mindful of the police checkpoints.  The curves were nice and long, meandering through the landscape with nice, long straightaways in other parts.  I had a blast nearly redlining the Linea at around 110 mph a nice downhill stretch.

The autobahn has two class of vehicles driving it, 1) newer vehicles that can easily exceed the speed limit and do so without regret and 2) Older cars and trucks that only wished they go beyond the 120 kph limit on it.  The standard autobahn is a divided six-lane limited access highway, wise for the number of slower vehicles that do travel it.

Mersin, Turkey - It's a nice place, though not a resort town.

Now, the amount of people living in the Mersin-Tarsus-Adana area is roughly about 3 million people.  I didn't have time to visit Tarsus, an obvious name for the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, but that will be for a different time.

I got slightly lost driving in Mersin in my quest to find the waterfront.  I eventually got there and the main downtown district in which the above shows the Ataturk park with the amusement park across from the downtown section of Mersin.  The city is mainly an industrial town due to the large seaport nearby handling the most volume of Turkey's seagoing freight.  It has nice beaches, to the west of the city, but the city waterfront is quite developed with a seawall, parks, and other entertainment activities besides swimming.  I didn't even get honked at when I figured I was 'lost' and kept right on driving around like a pro, even when I got stuck behind a stalled out Chevy Avalanche, forcing a lane change into a fluid moving lane next to the stalled car. 

I saw the Mediterranean Sea and it's blueness, and I got quite blissful and closed my eyes to the sound of the waves.  Sure, it was not the Pacific Ocean, but it was close enough and it wasn't rainy, needing a heavy jacket to enjoy the fine grains of sand moving around my feet by the flow of crashing waves...  I strolled through the downtown to take in some local food cuisine and came out enjoying my incognito affair of not being attached with a party of Americans.

In conclusion, I enjoyed my time to Mersin, and driving was quite the experience and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Turkish drivers drive like wannabe race car drivers, but I'll go toe-to-toe with them anytime.  Also, there is no middle ground in driving in Turkey.

Random Reason to Love Turkey: Hair Services

I was going to write about my first couple weeks here, but as I've settled in what is the beautiful country of Turkey, I have to rave about Turkish services in part is what could be a multi-part series as I experience the country from this little bubble that is Incirlik Air Base.  From the good to the horrible, I'll come about to write about it.

The focal point of this post is on getting a haircut off base that isn't done by the base barber.  But what the area outside of the Main Gate, called the "Alley" by everyone.  It's a bunch of Turkish shops and eateries that cater to the base population and usually one of the first places to visit on one's first couple week in country.

The Alley (Not my photo; none uploaded yet, sorry)

       There are clubs, barber shops, restaurants, massage parlor, carpet stores, coin shops, jewelry shops, places to get custom made suits and dresses, and even custom made furniture.  Everybody is friendly and saying they were somewhere from the States calling you "My brother" while actively showing you merchandise.  While I just wanted to get a haircut from a particular place, it took me about 20 minutes to get there.  Simply put, disarmed with an offer of apple tea while listening on an offer on three custom made suits.

Anyways more on that later; however, on to a  haircut.

So I'm use to the typical low fade military haircut that base barbers are alright at for about $10... but the off-base barbers take it to a whole new level for roughly the same price.  I doubt I'll find the same value for the service ever, but I had to take a jab for the same service in the US, it would be about $30.

You're thinking, "Why are you raving about haircuts, Roger?"  They simply just don't do a haircut.  It started with the typical start of getting a low fade for my hair, it was done pretty well by an older gentlemen.  Then I got my ear hairs burned off with I though looked like an incense stick, followed by a hair wash by one of the girl workers there.  Midway through the haircut, I was offered chai tea, which I accepted.

I was like, "Damn, this is probably going to cost me... and it's so nice."  What followed was beyond expectations, seriously, if there is one thing I seemingly missed out in life so far, is a Turkish haircut/head service.

I was directed to a nearby chair afterwards where the girl spread aloe over my forehead and neck, and I soon felt like, "Well, this is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fantastic! *melt*"  She followed to massage the shoulders as the aloe spread out and then across the upper back.  Any tension I did have in that region was totally eliminated, I was awestruck and definitely feeling spoiled.

She finished with putting hair gel in on my head and it turned into a head massage, I obviously will rave about Turkish haircuts forevermore.  She finished up massaging and went back to finishing my chai tea, fantastic.

The cost: $10 USD.  I was largely taken aback.  As the change for the $20 I gave came back, I insisted on a $5 tip, eventually accepted.

So, that's getting a haircut in Turkey, I'll definitely will enjoy it while it lasts.

So more later about the time getting here, other Turkish hospitality customs noted, why tea is a huge deal, and Turkish driving (have to video tape that...).

Heads Up on Site and Travel

The time of training is almost over here for me and a nice group of Cyber Transport students to put on their job badges here Monday.  Afterwards, we'll be all going all our own separate ways to help support the communications field of the Air Force, which is it's own unique opportunity.  I'm fairly excited with getting out of here as most of us are restless to be part of the operational part of the Air Force apart from the training environment.

As I've said since August, when I learned about my future assignments, I'll be traveling the world to which I'll be exposed to a whole host of cultures and opinions.  This site is going to be a living diary of my six year adventure across the this great world.  Most of the time, it will be video clips of myself to update you on life overseas along with pictures of the beauty of Turkey, Europe, and Asia. 

I know the other blog site has been long dormant since joining and I don't know if I'll have enough time to dedicate more research on the happenings of the world, but that's okay.  Everything has a strange way of working itself out.

I'll be home very soon and I'll be excited to see personal friends and family for a bit during the next month before departing overseas.  My phone service with Verizon will end later next month while you can find me on Skype once I'm over there.  I'll write back to anyone who writes to me, it might take a bit during the first month of settling in. I'll be more than willing to provide that information to friends.

Stay tuned!