Closer look at Turkey

-hoş karşılama!
‘Welcome’, these words were first said by Turkish. Thanks to the Comenius project four students and English teacher with social educator had the opportunity to see and touch wonderful culture of Turkey.
Turkey. Galibolu town.
Clock was showing 7 o’clock and demanding to get up out of bed as soon as possible. Outside the window you could see streets, nearby German girl Nadja was lazily making her bed. During this project I was living at Turkish boy Ugu, together with German girl Nadja.
For the first breakfast we had Turkish cheese, grapes, olives, jam and crispy white bread. It is a traditional breakfast in this country. It is important to note that their tea is very delicate. The way of preparing it is fascinating. First, to make Turkish tea you should have a special set of Teapot Dome, which consists of two parts. In the first part water is heated, and in the second, which is installed on the first one, tea is heated. When the water boils, half of small glass vase shaped cup is being filled by tea, the rest part of it – by water. Also you can add some sugar if you want. This is how the Turkish tea is being made. After drinking it unique taste remains on your tongue for some time.
After lunch we moved to the Turkish school. It was really surprising. School was built and looked like a ship, as it later transpired, it was a maritime school. That’s not all, around the school, as around entire Galibolu town homeless dogs were walking around. The most interesting was computer room, where you could virtually navigate ship in the storm. Well, I managed to keep the ship safe whole five minutes.
What’s more? In this school mainly boys are learning. There are only fifteen girls. All of them are being prepared to be future captains and admirals. Also school has great canteen, there you can buy a kebab, hamburger, and all sorts of other nice meals.
Most of the Turks are extremely friendly and caring. There was no day for me and other foreigners without questions: Is everything okay? Do you need anything? These were people who managed to become one of my best friends during this week.
Simplicity and honesty.
It was a rock concert on the roof of the hotel organized for us. I thought that the music won’t be acceptable for me, but I was surprised. Turkish and our rock has only a little difference. Music relaxed and gave us energy. Everyone was dancing with the rhythms of loud music.
Trips. During visit at Galibolu town we had few journeys. We visited Troy. We saw old and legendary ruins of Troy, impressive Trojan horse, which was used in the famous historical movie ‘Troy’. We honoured battlefields and soldiers of the first World War. Turks are true patriots. You could see statues, flags and portraits everywhere: in cafes, streets, homes, schools etc. They are proud of their victories, soldiers, thanks to which the Turkey is free country now.
Every evening, after all excursions all of us were going to see the nightlife of Galibolu. Town, in which we lived for five days, is situated at the port, other two days we spent ant Istanbul. Everyone was crying, when we were leaving Galibolu. Even boys didn’t hide their tears, because during that time we became one big family.
Istanbul.
Istanbul is the old capital of Turkey. It is city with a population of thirteen million people. It is city, which hides an impressive culture.
We and other foreigners stayed at hotel, which is located in the city center.
We saw Blue Mosque, in which Muslims used to pray under locked door for about two hours. It’s not a secret that Turks pray five times a day: in the early morning, midday, afternoon, evening and night. It was strange to see black dressed women in the streets, but there were not so many of them.
If you want to get into the mosque you have to take off your shoes, because there are ornamented carpets in whole mosque. Mosque is divided into two parts: one is for men and the other is for women. There is a lot of space for men, while women are squeezed into corner. Guide told us about their religion, prayer rituals, symbols, etc.
Also we have visited Topkapi Sultan Palace. We spent few hours only to walk around and see some things. Impressive painted walls, gold jewelry, swords and other things, there was no lack of anything.
Undoubtedly we couldn’t leave country without visiting Turkish bazaar. We were negotiating, because it’s rude not to do that in Turkey. You could hurt their feelings if you won’t negotiate with them. I have brought real Turkish hookah, which is called ‘nargile’ in Turkey, and, of course, some sweets.
This trip fascinated us. It can be assured by teachers and students. Unforgettable impressions are still with us in our hearts. Even now, after so much time my eyes still wistfully look at Turkey. Before taking-off I said:
‘I’ll be back’.

Translated by Audrius Dumbliauskas