1) I can understand the lyrics better!

Mix FM, the local DJ-less foreign (non-Turkish) music station is playing a few songs that would never make it on daytime radio in the English-speaking world. Most of the music is is the same 30 or 40 songs rotated, often similar beat house and pop music. A few songs stick out:

a) One song, the title I’m not aware of, at various stages contains the spoken words “f%$k you” repeated over and over again.

b) Another song Jose Nunez’s Bilingual contains the (again) spoken word phrase “You f%$king me makes me bilingual” repeated four times in a row, twice.

As the radio at work is usually used for background music, I am likely the only person who understands the lyrics. I enjoy having a laugh and only wish my workmates could understand (or maybe I don’t :-).

I wonder what would happen if the equivalent Turkish phrases were on the radio?

I must go now and listen to the music…

Ayse, a Turkish university student friend wrote an email to me in response to my blog, generally, and this post, particularly. She asked if I could put her email on my blog and I have gladly done so:

I am sorry but I can not understand why you are in need of comparing Mersin/Turkey with other cities /countries of the world.That you are not satisfied with the situation you are in ,doesnt mean that you can show it to everybody on your ramblings.About 10.000 people will believe what they see,and in fact what they see may not reflect the reality.

You wrote that there were advertisement of shoes showing some naked models near a mosque in Mersin and said that:Only in Turkey ! Now,I want to say that Joe,is it normal for you tobe in a pub and to drink bear opposite of a cathedral?is not it ironic?

As you see in every areas of the world such kind of things may happen ok.I just want you to be more carefull while writing about Turkey.I thought that you love Turkey but I dont think like that as ı see your complains,if you really dont like you dont have to stay there.

Do you know that two weeks ago I watched a documentary about aborigines ,and then there were some Australian people walking there and they didnt want to let cameraman to take photos of aborigines.And the reason why they didnt want to show them to the world is that Australians feel ashamed of them though Australians made them to live in bad situations.

Yes, I am back in Mersin. I arrived noon yesterday after another 24 hour journey. I will write more and upload photos soon.

Two weeks ago (6th) Uta and Victor came to Mersin from Adana for a short stay. Uta was a former trainee visiting from Germany. We went to the “Mavi Sanat” restaurant for a great evening. Also at Mavi Sanat was Dogan abi, one of my boss’s business associates. He mischievously paid our bill. That night, two Ukrainian backpackers, Olha and Ihor, rocked up into town on the late train from Adana. They were on their way from Ukraine to Ukraine via Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey. Five of us slept in my tiny apartment this night.

The next day Richard from a UK language school came to Mersin for a few days to discuss business. On the Friday (8th) I became sick, rundown with a cold.

Last Wednesday (13th) it was Hari’s farewell in Adana. He is going back to India. Conveniently, at 1 am that night, Auntie Annie, Uncle David and cousin Graeme were arriving from Germany. For 3 days I introduced them to Turkey, visiting Silifke and Tarsus during this time. They brought some lovely German bacon, which I enjoyed immensely 🙂

In the intervening time I visited 5 or 6 schools with Sevil for work. Speaking to the classes has been a joy. Some (most at some schools) of the students have never heard a native English speaker in their classes. Several students asked if I was married, and other funny questions.

This afternoon I’m jumping on the Koksallar bus to Ankara from where I’ll catch the early morning flight to London, via Munich, for a few days rest and recreation. I can’t wait!

From Edithburgh, Southern Yorke Peninsula, South Australia; the place I spent several Christmases with family:

Shortly after, another local, Damien Taheny, entered the water with his surfboard and went to the aid of the three teenagers struggling against the current. They all used the surfboard to get to the jetty and then Damien made his way back out to Mr Cowdrey, who was floating on the surface and did not appear to be moving.

Mr Cowdrey was brought onto the surfboard where Damien rendered mouth to mouth resuscitation and CPR despite the difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, the father passed away but the son was saved. Thank you Dud (Damien), Karly and Matt (the other rescuers).

See full article.

Drowning is a far larger danger in Australia than sharks, spiders and snakes combined.

UPDATE:

The Brave

At an informal meeting in Yorketown yesterday, the State branch of the Royal Life Saving Society, represented by its Executive Officer, Aileen Milazzo, acknowledged the bravery of Yorketown teenager Karly Harris, and Edithburgh resident, Damien Taheny (pictured at right), for their actions during an incident at the Edithburgh jetty two weeks ago.

Read the rest of the Yorke Peninsula Country Times story.

Last week I had a few different international guests and then was sick for a few days (still am, slightly) so I didn’t post. I have lots to write, both blog and email-wise, but at the moment I will leave you all with a couple of follow-up articles from the Christian Science Monitor and Reuters on the “flag issue“.

Saturday night on a Tarsus street Serkan’s cousin’s “kina” (‘henna’). Similar to a wedding with music and dancing, the centrepoint of ‘kina’ is the bride-to-be and groom-to-be, along with the closest friends and family (particularly the bride’s female friends, I believe) staining their hands with henna. On Sunday afternoon, the wedding was held in a Mersin wedding salon.

This was my first “kina” and I have plenty of photos from both events. When I get the time I will upload some pictures and write more.

Want to see blog trends, the most popular phrases used, most mentioned people, hottest links on blogs each day?
BlogPulse is definitely worth a look and a play.

Did you know for 31 March Terry Shiavo and Terri Schaivo were in the top 25 most mentioned people?

Who was #1? Terri Schiavo