Ellen

LATEST ARTICLES ( 72 )

• Grueling Grammar: Why Turkish is So Hard to Learn

  One of the reasons I decided on Antalya, as opposed to a sunny spot in the Far East or Africa, was that I would be able to blend in to some extent. Read more

  Posted on 08 December 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Turkish Composers: Who Knew?

  This is the eleventh season of Antalya's main musical event, the International Piano Festival. The title doesn't do justice to this series of concerts, which... Read more

  Posted on 05 December 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Mass Transit Or Mass Confusion?

  I've been living here for 6 months, but I'm still having trouble finding my way around. Granted, my sense of direction is abysmal, but that's only part of the... Read more

  Posted on 01 December 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Cursing the Darkness and Lighting the Candle

  

  Part 1. THE DARK NIGHT Blackouts happen fairly frequently here, so when my internet disconnected at 9 AM on Thursday I didn't get too upset about it. Read more

  Posted on 28 November 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Happy Holidays (unless You're a Sheep)

  

  Mary had a little lamb. She killed and ate it on Bayram. When I returned to Antalya after the summer (I don't know how anyone stays here in the summer when... Read more

  Posted on 21 November 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Books and Music

  On Sunday I went to Carol's apartment and met up with several other middle-aged women for our inaugural book club meeting. (Are all book clubs comprised of... Read more

  Posted on 16 November 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Turkish Etiquette / What Not To Wear

  

  When you enter a Turkish home you remove your shoes and put on the slippers provided. Your host will say "hos geldiniz" (it's nice you came) and you will say... Read more

  Posted on 13 November 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• First Impressions

  

  When I arrived in Antalya I was met at the airport by Mehtap, who welcomed me with a kiss on both cheeks. This is the standard greeting for friends and... Read more

  Posted on 12 November 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• The Ex-Pat Community

  

  I've been quite the social butterfly this week. On Halloween I went to a party advertised on the Antalyaexpats.com website. I wrote to Aysun, who published the... Read more

  Posted on 06 November 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Chapter 3: Why Am I Here?

  Why did I come to Turkey? This is the question I'm asked even more often than why I'm not married. I wish I had a good answer (for either question) but the trut... Read more

  Posted on 29 October 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Chapter 2: In Which Ellen Has a Frustrating Week

  

  Having finally secured my very own wireless network, I decided it was time to procure a desk to put it on. On Tuesday my friend Vicky (from the Philipines;... Read more

  Posted on 23 October 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Blogum Hos Geldiniz! 1: The Search for Internet

  

  I think I finally have internet working in my apartment, so it's time to start writing the blog I promised. Why did it take so long? Because I'm in Turkey. Read more

  Posted on 16 October 2010 EXPAT, TRAVEL