Marc from Kosuyolu

Thanks to Marc Hebden for sharing his experience in Turkey with us.

Tell us about yourself
I'm 43 years old; I've been living here for 13 years. I'm married to a Turk. I'm a teacher at Istek School in Acibadem. I'm a retired pro musician, and I make music regularly.

What made you come to Turkey?
I had some Turkish friends years ago in England. They invited me, and I came here many times before deciding to settle here.

What do you do in your daily life?
I have a studio in my garden, where my friends and I sometimes record music. We've done loads of stuff. Other than that we use the studio for playing poker in and drinking beer. Sometimes I go for a beer at the son Gemi pub in Kadikoy, and I also go to Babylon.

Family?
I live in my father in laws house, along with my sister in law and her family. It's a big house, and we all have our own separate flats. We never bother each other much, and my Parents in law who are lazish by origin, are incredible people. They are very friendly and decent.

Can you compare your first days here with today?
Basically it was so different compared to now. There was a lot more pollution, and power cuts all the time. We had no internet or cable t.v. Life was very different. But now we can get information about anything, but we can't get heinz salad cream yet! Baked beans are available though.

Has living in Turkey influenced your approach to life?
I would be a liar if I said that Istanbul was an easy place to live, but it has something that no other city has. I've lived in Japan and Sydney, but Istanbul has something that is just magnetic. It has definitely given me the education of a lifetime, and I got scammed so many times in the past that I now know every trick in the book. Friends of mine tell me its more vibrant here than New York. Yeah The BUl is the place to be.

Turkish language?
I learned my Turkish from Cuneyt Arkın films and taxi drivers, so you can imagine! But I managed to rent a house recently without getting ripped off, so it must be getting better! The first word I learnt was BELEŞ!

Let's talk about the region you are living in?
I live in Koşuyolu in Kadikoy. Its become a right nice little area, 10 minutes from Kadikoy, and has got some really nice restaurants. People are cool here, and it's just the place I want to be. The only other place that I would consider living in is MODA, which has a wicked vibe about it.

What is your preferred characteristic trait of Turks?
Basically any rule can be broken if you have money or connections. It saves a lot of time mucking about being honest. They are an intricate people to understand, but once you do, it's easy.

What was the annoying one?
Terrible drivers, lying, cheating, doubling prices for foreigners, always passing the blame for things, being silly about football, can't bear to lose at anything, taxi drivers never have any change, and then 100 silly superstitions like don't drink cold drinks, you will be ill. I'm sorry but I could go on forever about this subject. I try to just ignore these things now because they are never going to go away from our daily lives, and after all I've always got the option to get on a plane, and go to live in boring England!

Turkish Cuisine?
It's not that I don't like Turkish food, it's just that I wish Turks didn't think it was the best in the world! I would much prefer to have a good choice of restaurants, instead of having to go to the bloody Hilton for a pseudo Japanese meal! A good few cheap curry houses, would be good, and somebody who had the suss to import good British beer. They do it in Cyprus, and the British consulate has a bar that sells Guiness and JOhn Smiths bitter. So get at it , and give us decent beer.

Any suggestion to new comers to Turkey?
Be prepared to be very patient, expect a serious shock about the ways things are done. Take it in your stride when you realise you have been ripped off. Let's say it's a bit like playing poker. You have to lose many times in order to get a hang of it. That's the price you pay. But hey!! I'm still here and I'm a good poker player, and I enjoy living here. I did have a nervous breakdown though; in the first 2 years I was here.

Any suggestion to people planning to visit Turkey?
Do it! Get to Istanbul and get a taste for it. Its always a good time town, I would not live anywhere else! Oh, and the women are truly stunning.

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