Fred from Adana

Tell us about yourself
I'm a civilian with the US Government in country. My wife - Carol - & I are in Turkey for our third time. I've been with the government over 30 years; (don't do the math, I'm not that old, HaHa)

What made you come to Turkey?
The culture, the people, the all of it! I've never lived anywhere across the planet where I've felt more at home.

What do you do in your daily life?
I sit behind a desk and push paper.

Family?
I have a very lovely wife - Carol and we have a son who is an F-15 pilot in the US Air Force, and we have three grandkids.

Can you compare your first days here with today?
I'm not sure that would give you a very warm feeling; we arrived in Istanbul Airport in the fall of 1982; the country was under marshal law and everywhere we turned there was a man with a gun! We came with a two-year assignment to Ankara, we stayed over four years and DO NOT want to leave.

Has living in Turkey influenced your approach to life?
In every way! I've never lived in a more friendly culture. Yes, every place has a dark side and Turkey does as well, however, I don't move in those circles! My worldview has taken a radical turn since living in Turkey; I appreciate vastly different points of view now, I appreciate the humble and warm caring culture here, I crave the honesty and integrity demonstrated by this group of people. A handshake here is still a man's bond, and that is hard for many Americans to understand.

Turkish language?
I'm ashamed to say my grasp is lacking; you know those who speak three languages are tri-lingual, those who speak two are bi-lingual and those who speak ONE are American. I don't speak for anyone but myself - it simply laziness; the Turks make it far too easy to NOT learn. Most of them I work with and around want to better their English and won't speak to me in Turkish, only greetings and the like.

Let's talk about the region you are living in?
I live on the Turkish AB in Adana at Incirlik; needless to say I can NOT discuss it. However the region is HOT, I'm not yet acclimated to living here although I've been here 18 months. Ankara twice before was very different. The area here is mostly agricultural and that's both fields of grain and citrus groves. The mountains that backdrop this area are awesome, to use one of my niece's favorite words.

Have you traveled in Turkey? Tell us your discoveries
I'm currently sending my travel logs to the web site, should you be interested PLEASE see them there. We do travel at every opportunity and we LOVE it.

What is your preferred characteristic trait of Turks?
Boy, there's a question! I like the honesty as I mentioned before, I like how the people are so genuine!

What was the annoying one?
Not taking NO for an answer. It very hard to convey 'no' to anyone, they just prefer not to recognize it as a word.

Turkish Cuisine?
This is too easy: it to die for!!!! Boy, the ten years I was out of country this last time nearly brought me to total distraction; Turkish Food in the US of A is simply NOT that good, when you can even find it.


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