Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the delay in writing, but I've been catching up on reading (I have midterms in about 10 days...uh oh) and not much has been happening here. The weather has been playing tricks on us. Monday and Tuesday were absolutely beautiful (I'm talking borderline shorts weather), but Wednesday was cold and dreary and today was a mix of everything. Everyone keeps telling me that spring is beautiful in Istanbul, but I'm sick of waiting!
Classes have been going well. One thing I've noticed since being here is that attendance is TERRIBLE. Today, there were only 6 students in a class of 18. Not to mention that 2 of the 6 students showed up between 15 and 30 minutes late for a 50 minute class. If this was Boston, the student would have been either ridiculed mercilessly by the professor for having the nerve to show up to class halfway through and/or be told to leave. Here, being late is not only acceptable its expected. I guess all the absences explains the pop quizzes that one professor gives out almost every class. Starting April 6, I have 4 midterms in a week. Another exchange student recommended that a good spot to do reading/work was at the starbucks down the street. The internet is terrible at the dorm. Sometimes it doesn't work for 5 or 6 hours. My plan is to go on Saturday afternoon to the starbucks get a hot chocolate and do the readings.
A couple Saturdays ago I participated in a trip to four churches sponsored by a student organization at the university that plans activities for exchange students to participate in. We visited the Kariye (Chora) Church, Faith Mosque, Şehzadebaşı Mosque, and Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia) Museum. The trip consisted of about 15 American and Erasmus students, three or four Turkish students, and a tour guide in the University's history doctorate program. As opposed to Kapadokya this trip was much better as it was smaller and the guide was genuinely interested in telling us the history behind each of the churches and mosques that we visited. The architecture and craftsmanship of all these historical sites is amazing. They are some of the most beautiful structures I have ever seen. Check out shutterfly for some pictures of the churches. I'll add comments identifying what picture is what church over the next few days.
Being in Turkey has heightened my already high distaste for cigarette smoke. Since arriving, I've used my inhaler on a weekly basis; something that I have never needed to do. I don't know why, but everyone in Turkey smokes. It must have something to do with the lack of education being given to the public on the hazards of smoking. In the states, the horrors of smoking are ingrained in you from a young age. Everywhere you look there are anti-cigarette campaigns. Not to mention the hefty taxes associated with smoking or the banning of smoking in restaurants. According to the World Health Organization, 60% of males over the age of 15 consider themselves smokers in Turkey. This is compared to the 15-20% of the same population in the US (US # seems a little high if you ask me). According to a 2008 BBC article, 1 in 5 deaths in turkey are related to tobacco. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization lists Turkey as the world’s seventh largest producer of cigarettes, and the eighth largest market for consumption. I feel like I'm living in one large never-ending ashtray. Beginning in 2009, a smoking ban was instituted outlawing smoking in bars, cafes, and a few other places. However, the implementation of the plan is lacking as the fines are little and there are just too many smokers to police.
Alright, hope all is well with everyone at home. Talk soon.
Love,
Brett
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