Monday, February 3, 2014

The adventure begins...once I have my coffee.

Now if you're reading this I'm going to make the (what I assume, fairly safe) assumption that you know me. Still, in the off chance you don't and have instead landed here by Googling "blogs about Turkey" and hit "I'm feeling lucky" let me describe myself in one word: Coffee.

I am obsessed. I love it. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it. My usual in Corvegas is the Dutch Bro's sugar free, non-fat caramel latte, but I'm pretty much on a first name basis with all the heavy hitters of the coffee world. Starbucks? Skinny Cinnamon Dolce latte, please. Peet's? Sugar free hazelnut mocha, no whip. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf? Black forest Iced Blended drink (and don't even think about non fat or sugar free on this one. Some things are meant to be full throttle. I live to rebel!). So it should come as no surprise to any of you that on my first day off I went to explore the city, immerse myself in the local culture and of course (the real reason) to find coffee.

Our apartment is about 2 miles from Melvana University, and like any good University town a mere few blocks away is a strip mall where you can get your hair cut, buy a slice of pizza and of course, get coffee (it seems the need to eat greasy,cheap food, look good for a date and stay awake is more of a universal college experience than I first realized. Who knew?). It was a tough choice, but my first official Turkish coffee experience occurred at Robert's Coffee (it won out because the sign above the door said "Established in 1876." Who could argue with 138 years of strip mall?!):


I didn't take any pictures inside, but if you want a mental picture think Starbucks meets an empty night club. It was dark with lots of loud hip hop and pictures of pastries that had sayings like "make your day twinkle". And twinkle it did! I was the only patron so I couldn't release any of my signature dance moves, but I did get a delicious, life affirming mocha before heading home and chancing upon this gem:

 I have been known in the past to get two specialty drinks in one day, but at the risk of seeming too American I held off for a few days before returning. This one was really cozy and more traditional in what I think of as a coffee shop. Plus, with a name like that, how could I not go in? It seems the chain was named after this wonderful man who shares my own vision of a beautiful world filled with iced, blended chocolate drinks:
Oh, high school. I made face sheen and braces look good from 2003 -2007.
Alright, so that might be a fabrication. To my knowledge my dad does does not actually own David People Coffee, but I'm thinking I may have inadvertently told the baristas I was an heiress to this coffee fortune because they were really excited when I told them his name was David. I mean, we're talking 'giving me extra napkins' excited. It was a pretty big deal.

Now, if you're still reading this, feel free to take a break and get yourself a cup of coffee so I can tell you about the actual, cultural, non-coffee-related stuff I've been doing in Turkey. I'll wait. Refreshed? Excellent. Let us proceed.

Just like at home, Saturday is market day in Konya! It takes up roughly 2 square blocks and is full of delicious, fresh fruits and veggies, fresh fish, and other edibles in the front and clothing, toys, and various other treasures in the back. It's kind of a hybrid flea/farmers market:



This guy's buddy was adamant he be in the picture. He clearly knows how famous this blog is going to make him.

The pictures don't really do it justice, because it was very quaint and charming. Only about 1/4 of the people you meet out and about in Turkey speak English, and since my Turkish is still pretty rusty (read: I can successfully say water, hello and hair) there's a lot of gesticulating and pointing to get what you want. Still, fresh oranges and strawberries in early February? I'll wave my arms like a chicken if necessary.

That Sunday I got to experience my first ever Turkish basketball game. Unlike in the States where professional sports teams are named for the cities where they're located, Turkish teams are named after their sponsoring companies. So, despite playing in Konya, Troy's team is called Torku which is a candy/sugar/happiness making company (http://www.torku.com.tr/). I think there is a missed opportunity for some candy themed uniforms, but I'm working on it:



It was a nail-bitingly close game, and the fans take it VERY seriously. It was one of the loudest sporting events I have ever been to. They even have a section with a "cheerleader," who I'm pretty sure is just a really excited fan who leads the others in cheers. In this picture, he's standing in the white shirt, facing the crowd on the bottom right of the upper bleachers. He lead them in a very rousing rendition of "We Will Rock You" that made me swoon (or broke my eardrums. I'm still unclear).


And of course, what better way to celebrate someone else burning a lot of calories than to go to a buffet? After the game we went to Rixos, a very classy hotel down the street from the University. I'll let the pictures do the talking, but suffice it to say it was all very, very delicious.




Disclaimer: I am always concerned about my health and well being, so of course I rushed to the salad bar without even a second glance at the desserts. These photos are just to show the variety available, obviously... ;)

So there you have it. A successful first week of drinking coffee, eating Turkish delights and hassling small children. Stay tuned for upcoming adventures to Sille, Cappadocia and of course, lots of coffee!

Safe travels,
Adaline

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