Maya from Izmir
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Maya and Aeralyn
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Tell us about yourself:
I'm 32, living now in Istanbul previously Izmir, with my nearly ten-year-old daughter, and partner who is Turkish and our street cat Doofensmirtz. I am working on a variety of small jobs, including teaching,selling my hammocks during the summer time, proofreading, editing, some marketing...
What made you come to Turkey?
My partner Koray is Turkish, and his family resides here.
What do you do in your daily life?
Besides taking care of my child, dogs, and house I am self-employed with various types of businesses, also giving English lessons.
Family?
My lovely daughter Aeralyn, and our cat. Of course we have friends who are our extended family.
Can you compare your first days here with today?
My first days here were very welcoming, as I met family and friends, and I was amazed at the level of Turkish hospitality.
Has living in Turkey influenced your approach to life?
If anything it has influenced me into being more hospitable than I was when living in the States. Mexico which is where I moved before Turkey, was Step 1 up in hospitality towards others. Turkey seems even more hospitable of a country. You could walk to any door step and ask for help, and I'm sure in some way you would receive assistance.
Turkish language?
Hijole! Allah, Allah! Coming from English background, I find it difficult but an interesting challenge. Not in the memorization of words; verb conjugations are always a difficult part of a language, and sentence structure as well. It is the creative method of speaking that I find difficult. Many analogies, and phrases. Similar to romantic languages. In English, you are rarely that creative in how you say something.
Let's talk about the region you are living in?
Now living in Istanbul - on the Asian side. My daughter goes to a public school in the 3rd grade. It was actually the highest rated public school in Turkey at some point. We live in the Moda-Bahariye area of Kadikoy, which is very close to everything. Our house is frequented it seems by many couchsurfers and Erasmus students!
Livied in Izmir, Turkey - Guzelbahce. The scenery of Turkey is definitely amazing. Sea to one side, mountains behind. By moving from Mexico to Turkey, I've traded hurricanes for earthquakes, and have recently got to experience them. Wow, you realize the power of earth by the natural disasters. I check the Kandilli Observatory Deprem site daily, just to observe what is going on with the earth below my feet now!
Have you traveled in Turkey? Tell us your discoveries
I have spent short vacations in Bodrum, Antalya, Dalaman, and Didim. I want to spend more time camping, hiking, and such. For now, business comes first!
What is your preferred characteristic trait of Turks?
Hmm…I think the family bonds, friend bonds, and hospitality.
What was the annoying one?
I read of such things as honor killings, which definitely is a strike against. However that is religion not Turks. I would say the rude and ignorant drivers.
Turkish Cuisine?
My goodness, I love Turkish food especially the vegetarian combinations. And Turkish yogurt.
Any suggestion to new comers to Turkey?
Start practicing how you speak! Watch, and learn, and foremost…enjoy!
Any suggestion to people planning to visit your region?
Eat the food, drink the raki, and get out of town often, and explore!
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