Arlene's Secret Paradise

Sunset from Arlene's garden

Tell us about yourself
I was born in the USA but at this point, I've lived outside the States for over 20 years so I usually say that 'my Passport is American but I'm a 'child of the universe!'

What made you come to Turkey?
Nothing 'made' me come here -- I choose to come here. Ever since I met my first Turks back in Philadelphia and then at the International Student's Association at the University of Pennsylvania, I knew I wanted to live in Turkey and learn more about this incredible culture.

What do you do in your daily life?
My daily life is filled with four-legged roommates and village life. I am a copy editor for a company in Istanbul and I also try to spend as much time as possible in my studio. I am fascinated by stones and rocks and I try to create 'artifacts' from local stones. Nothing 'fine art' about it but useful fun stuff!

Family?
Here in Turkey, I have three dogs and two cats and an adopted village of less than 225 people! They are my extended family.

Can you compare your first days here with today?
There's absolutely NO comparison with then to now. My first year was spent in Sisli in a lojman over a car park! The noise and pollution were absolutely terrible. My life now is wonderful… the only noises I hear are the calls of the local donkeys and the bells of sheep, the occasional rooster and during the night, the calling of our nesting 'little owls'. Sheer music to the ears!

Has living in Turkey influenced your approach to life?
Has it 'influenced' my life? I'm not sure. I do know that the life I have here would never have been obtainable in the States and I know that I'll never be able to return to the USA and live happily ever after!

Turkish language?
Taxi drivers in Istanbul were my 'teachers'. At each stage of my 14 years here, I've had to learned new vocabulary to suit the situation at the moment. Initially, the basics…where, how much, how many… then things like curtain rods, light bulbs, washing machine repairs. Recently, I've had to learn the language of lawyers and the courts! Don't ask!!

Let's talk about the region you are living in?
I really don't want to talk about this region because for me it's paradise. If I tell everyone how great it is, I'm afraid they will all come here and it will become another big city!!

Have you traveled in Turkey? Tell us your discoveries
The first time I traveled to Turkey (I had been living in Athens at the time and would come here a couple of times a year on holiday) I stayed mostly in Istanbul. Then I had the chance to go to the southeast briefly and discovered the crusaders' castles and that's when my love of the history of ancient times really began…a few years ago, a friend from New Zealand and I drove from Istanbul to Antalya through western Anatolia and then up through middle Anatolia to Capadoccia and back to Istanbul. What I love about this country is the geography and how it influenced civilizations that came and went.

What is your preferred characteristic trait of Turks?
Well, what can I say? Of course, the best characteristic of the Turks is their hospitality…but now that I'm a resident of a tiny village, I've discovered even more than that…the hospitality is almost a 'requirement' of their religious beliefs…what I've discovered now is a genuine care and concern for others that goes far beyond just 'hospitality'.. Turks are extremely generous people. Not in the sense that they give you riches, but they give of what they have and give it willingly. This is very interesting to me and I try to follow their example whenever I can.

What was the annoying one?
Interestingly, the one thing that bothers me about the Turks is their level of 'tolerance'…to a fault…they tolerate too much and for too long. This sense of 'kismet' and the inability to gain control of things is anathema to me as an American who has fought and rebelled and struggled with 'the system' to achieve a degree of autonomy in a world of chaos. Turks just seem to 'accept' anything and everything that comes their way! Maybe that's a lot less stressful!

Turkish Cuisine?
Are you kidding? I can't fit into any of the clothes I brought with me when I came to Turkey! Turkish food is wonderful…and Turkish bread, made in an outdoor oven - is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Any suggestion to new comers to Turkey?
If by 'newcomers' you mean people that are coming here for extended periods, then I have to say that it helps to look for similarities in your culture and the culture of the Turks. It helps a lot to see others as fellow passengers on the good ship Earth. The differences are many but the similarities will help keep you connected.

Any suggestion to people planning to visit your region?
You will hate me for saying this…but I don't like tourists and what they do to a region. We have too many tourists now and it's spoiling the population and the environment. It's best just to pass through here, on your way to someplace else (I'm terrible, aren't I -- but you must know what I mean).

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Latest comments about this article

 By marie50  22.6.2004

Arlene, I loved your passionate discription of your beautiful country and your exteneded family are very lucky to have you as an earth mother. I felt the same way about Turkey,Icmeler after just one week. I am planning to settle in Turkey as soon as possible.

 By alta  7.2.2004

Its really nice to know that you have been in this place since so many years. I m jealous of you. The experience of yours is very real. I m pleased to know that what I thought about Turks is true, they still are authentic about their culture. Apart from the strategic location from political point of view, it has a marvelous natural wonders. I have never visited Turkey, but that would be the first land which I step on out of my country.

 By karen  6.2.2004

i know what you mean about the tourists i feel very protective of where i live and the family i have made whilst being here and the tourists just get my back up although at one time i was the same as them.

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