"Technologically Advanced" and Three Things I Never Thought I'd See Here

Supposedly this is how our mayor described our city to some journalists recently. He was asked why he had stopped the traditional morning drums for Ramazan. Back in Ottoman times, drummers would roam the streets before daylight to wake the people so that they could eat their mongo breakfast before the sun came up and their fast started. This tradition has been kept to the present day, as witnessed by the lighter sleepers on my team. However, our mayor wants to make it a thing of the past. He says now that most people use these new fangled things called "alarm clocks" that people don't need the drummer. We're technologically advanced now.

And since this man obviously knows that you have to back up your words with actions, he made sure to prove just how advanced we are...



See what I mean? What? You don't see it? Well look closer. That's right, we now have line markings on our streets! We're definitely on the cutting edge of all the latest technology, trends, and fashions. Just days after proclaiming our modernism to the world, we finally put some physical markings on our roads. Unfortunately, though this picture was taken a few days after the markings were laid down, you can still see the lead car straddling the center line. Apparently the people are quite sure how to use all the new technology that we have. Maybe the mayor better keep those drummers going after all.

And finally, three shockers from the past week...

First of all, just hours after I noticed our newly painted roads, I also noticed a shining red Ferrari parked just down the street from my house. It was parked in front of a really nice desert restaurant, and, of course, had it'd blinkers on. Apparently that's the technologically advanced way of not getting a parking ticket. Putting on your blinkers is like a force field that protects your car from all traffic police. Unfortunately for some of my coworkers, that device hasn't been installed in our company car.



Secondly, it rained today. No, I mean for real, there was water actually falling from the sky for a good half hour or more. It was amazing. I can't remember for certain, but I think this is the first time it's rained since Paul's second journey. I could be wrong though, I never can remember if that boating accident he had was on the second or third trip.

And lastly, one thing that I wish I had pictures to prove, because I don't think anyone will believe me until I can show it to you, but I was actually in the praise band at church this past week. By "praise band" I mean the Korean girl on her keyboard, the Shark beating on the drum, and I on the guitar. The Pastor called me up Friday night at 10 and asked if I was free Saturday afternoon. I was, so he asked me to come to the church. He wanted me to play guitar with the Korean and if we were good enough, we would play on Sunday. I guess I auditioned well because after about an hour of practice, the Pastor left and said that he would see the next day up on stage. I won't lie, I pretty well stunk it up. On the loud songs, the drum and the singing was so loud that I couldn't hear myself play and therefore I had a hard time staying on beat. I flubbed a few chords while I was playing and the Korean threw me off once by going back into the verse when I thought we were going into the chorus again. But we ended on a song that I not only really like and know all the words to, but one that I can play really well. So even though we were sloppy through most the set, we really had a great encore to finish the day. And yes, as far as I know, I am going to be a permanent member of the praise band, believe it or not.

Mixed Bag of Thoughts

First of all, Ramazan is here. It's the month when Muslims don't eat from sunup to sundown. This really doesn't affect me a whole lot. For starters, there are a lot of people that don't keep the fast here. All the cafes and restaurants are still open during the day and no one really thinks a whole lot about a foreigner chowing down. It's fairly obvious I'm not a local (see the Hawaiian shirt picture). The only pooper is that at night, if you go out, there will be people at the restaurants waiting for the go ahead to eat. It kind of forces you to wait too. So even though it's only an hour or so later than I'd normally eat, it is a little bit of a hassle.

On the positive side, I'm hoping that this month of heightened spirituality will spawn more discussions about sin and the need for repentance. That's what I'm praying for anyhow. There are a handful of people here that I have had the pleasure to spend significant amounts of time with and, therefore, share significant portions of the Gospel with them. It's really nice to hand someone a Bible who has more than likely never even seen one. It's also really humbling to know that without a miraculous work of the Spirit, they won't receive a word it says as truth. So I'm hoping the Spirit of the Lord will be moving in this place over the next few weeks and that I'll be faithful in my preaching of the gospel of the grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I jammed my finger pretty good playing basketball this morning. It's already swelling and turning colors. I've avoided major injury since I've been here, and for that I'm very thankful. In fact, with the exception of Stevo going through the window, our whole team has been spared serious bodily harm over the past year. We've been sick and had colds, but no one has really gotten hurt. Praise God for that and pray for those that have been given a different cup to drink from.

It's nice to be in decent shape physically. I say decent because I have a long ways to go before I'm in "good" shape. I'm starting back up at the gym and hopefully getting on a running schedule soon. I want to be in good condition for life in general, but specifically for an ultimate tournament I've been invited to at the end of the month! I met some guys and gals from Istanbul that are taking a team to Germany to play in an ultimate tournament and I've been invited to join them. Not only is it going to be a great weekend to play some ultimate and hang out, it's really inspired me to try and get a game going here in town. Maybe the next time there's a tournament close by, I can take my own team.

And speaking of teams... HOW BOUT THEM TIGERS!?! 2-0 with two pretty solid performances. We dominated FSU in the first half and the defense stood strong to preserve the win for us in the end. Last week was a long scrimmage against University of Louisiana Monroe. Our offense was clicking a little better while our defense showed signs of fatigue and lack of emotion. This weeks opponent provides us with the same problems, and one that I never thought I'd see.

We're playing 1AA (I refuse to use the new names) Furman University. Furman is a wonderful little school that is only maybe 45 minutes from Clemson. It's really hard not to like them. Yeah, they're stuck up rich kids for the most part, but it's a Baptist college. It's hard to hate a school with a mascot like the Paladins, mainly because no one knows what a Paladin is. Plus, they've always kind of been like Clemson's younger brother. They're a solid 1AA team, and because of that, they have the support of most the state. But they're just not on the same level with us, and have always, and will always, take a backseat to us. I'm sure the defense will hold their own, but I would not be surprised if we come a little flat again. I don't see Furman being able to hang with us in the long run though. We will win, and win soundly, somewhere in the 55-20 range.

But the thing that really hurts my heart, that I never thought I'd have to worry about, ever, is this... there is a chance that both teams could come out in purple today. That's right, a few years ago the boys started mixing in purple jerseys and purple pants into the uniform rotation. It was, for the most part, bearable. However, last year, with GameDay on campus, on primetime ESPN, hoping to make a statement, we came out in this:


Now picture that on the field with these guys:


And what you have is the recipe for a full fledged technicolor disaster! But hopefully we'll be up big by the second half and we can get some of our backups some reps in a real, live game setting.

Desert Bar, He's going to marry, and a Fashion Faux-Pas that Worked

First of all, let me say that the Kantepe stories could continue forever. I could tell you about almost taking Peterman in tennis, though I had never actually played tennis before in my life. I could tell you about a fun game of Presidents, which may be the worst game ever invented. (I say that because I couldn't win) I could tell you that I am still undefeated against my friend Adem in tavla, but then I'd also have to tell you that my goutlu friend from the West Coast pounded me like a cheap lamb rump roast from Migros. I could tell you about all the new and good friends I
made. But the thing that seems to be sticking with me the most is the desert bar.






Oh how I miss thee! Thy high towers of cakes and thy great plains of baklava. Thy soft, white, puffy clouds of creme floating in a sea of chocolate goodness. Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways...



But seriously, I miss that sweet little ending to every meal. And since the rest of the food was pretty crappy, it became the majority of every meal. I don't think I ever left that cafeteria without eating at least two different desert items. I'll remember you fondly.

So tonight I go down to the barber shop to hang out with the Barber and the Hawk for a couple hours. I figured that I would get there just in time for chai, which I was, and get some good conversation, since tomorrow is the start of Ramazan. I got what I was hoping for and a lot more. The Barber was giving a guy I know a haircut. The Barber told me, "He's getting married." Well hot dog, congratulations. But, it's a little late in the day for that isn't it? Come to find out, he's not getting married yet, he's just now meeting his future wife. His family had picked him out a good'un and he was getting to meet her for the first time tonight. He was getting the full treatment from the Barber and then there was a long discussion about what he should wear, whether he should wear cologne or not, what the best smelling cologne is, how much should he wear, when should he put it on, etc. It was an interesting discussion and a cultural experience. I knew that's how marriages worked around here, but this is really the first time I've had any first hand experience with it.

And I think I broke some fashion rules tonight. First of all, I've heard from people in the past that wearing Hawaiian style shirts overseas is a clear cut sign that you are definitely a tourist. Given my desire to fit into the culture, I figured my flowery shirt days were over (I don't remember them ever starting honestly). But one day I was at a store here that I check from time to time for cheap clothes and they had a good looking Hawaiian shirt for 6 YTL (a little over $4) and I couldn't pass it up. I've worn it a few times and hadn't had any bad "look at the foreigner" moments yet. But tonight I was stretching it, by wearing a summer shirt in mid-September. Granted, the highs are still in the 80s around here, but it's noticeably cooler.



So why did I wear it tonight? It's a mixture of my laziness and bad luck. I haven't washed clothes in a week or so and today, when I had some time to do just that, the water was out (actually it was out the past two days, so I have an excuse for not showering this time!). So I was out of short sleeve, collared shirts. I wore it, bravely, and charged right into the barber shop without looking back. And wouldn't you know it, I got a compliment! I know I sound like a girl gushing over a compliment I got from a guy on the sidewalk in front of a barber shop, but in a culture where criticism is considered commonplace, getting a compliment is a golden moment. It's even better when you feel like you're taking a risk and it pays off.

100th Post is a Sad One

If I was thinking, I would've planned things a little better and had something a little more cheery or light hearted to post on my 100th. But I can't overlook the biggest thing that has happened recently.

Crack and Miss Kitty left today. They took another job that I'm sure they will not only love, but really excel in. It fits Crack's giftings and abilities perfectly and it puts him in a situation where he will be able to positively influence a lot of young men in a very critical stage in their lives. Miss Kitty will, of course, just be a magnet for any and everyone around her. I have no doubt that she's probably got some chai on now for some sweet little neighbor lady. She'll never get unpacked because every sister, friend, girlfriend, mom, aunt, and cleaning lady that's near them will be at her house wanting to talk.

Hopefully I'll be able to post some of their stories soon, since I'm sure it won't take them long to start making friends, sharing life and the Lord with them, and having a ton of fun at the same time. It was hard to see them go. They've been as good to me as anyone ever has. Their house was always cool (thanks to the AC) and their hearts were always warm (thanks to Jesus). They'll be missed incredibly.

Kantepe

I guess I ought to explain why this place got it's name as "Blood Mountain."

The place is called Kartepe, which translates as "Snow Mountain." It was a quaint little resort that is probably pretty nice in the winter. However, in the summer, it takes on a more imposing appearance.

Just about every evening, and some days, the place was shrouded in a thick fog. It's up on top of a hill (obviously) and the wind would whip through, making it slightly chilly, even in the heat of summer. And with it, it would bring this thick fog that would turn the quaint ski resort into something that looks like it should be featured in some sort of horror movie.

And that's when it hit me. With a slight play on words, a small budget, and a good imagination, we could really make an awesome horror movie up here! Turn Kartepe into Kantepe, which means "Blood Mountain," and you have the perfect name and location for a good horror film. The fog set it off perfectly. Plus, we had a perfect assortment of characters that are fit perfectly for the different stereotypical horror movie roles.

First we had BC, the Mexican, who fills the role of "minority who will be killed first." We had a couple of candidates for "computer nerd who gets whacked playing video games." Adem and Peterman, that'd be you, sorry. Then we have the loving, good looking, morally upright, suave, and debonair star, me. For some reason, there were a lot of people putting in for the role of mass murderer. Apparently there is some pent up rage among a lot of my friends. Watch what you say to ex-pats in Turkey.

Of course, like in all good horror films the mass murderer finds creative ways to take out the entire cast, save for the stunning lead character and his beautiful and faithful costar. Unfortunately, interest in the stunning costar role was extremely limited. So, due to budget restraints (we had none), time restraints (had none of that either), script problems (didn't have one of those either), and the lack of a full cast (one more thing we didn't have), the filming never got off the ground. I still think it would've been a hit and brought back the slasher genre from it's long hiatus. We'll never know.

It was totally worth it.

Write this down, because you won't hear me say this very often, but a meal that cost me almost $9 was totally worth it.

Since it would cost a small fortune to get the entire V-family up to our vacation spot, they decided to drive the V-Van all the way up there, the entire 10 hours. That means that we had to cram two adults, 4 children, me (the awkward man-child), and all our luggage for the week and a half that we'd be gone into the van. Luckily, Big Papi had that covered. He bought this snazzy canvass luggage holder thing for the top of the van. After filling it up and strapping it down, we were ready.



We left at the butt-crack of dawn, at an hour when I'm not even a Christian yet (stole that line from Mark Driscoll, hope you don't mind). With four boys that always want to hear a story or joke, I knew I'd have to be ready to talk at any hour of the day, even if I wasn't totally conscious. But honestly, it was really a great ride. The boys were, as usual, extremely well behaved. And to make things better, they brought this monster pillow that I quickly bear hugged and collapsed on for the entire drive to Ankara.

And that's where the heaven's opened their gates and let the blessings come pouring out... all for just $9. Arby's. God bless that man, or woman, that invented the roast beef sandwich. It was worth every dime I paid for it.



The rest of the trip was uneventful, but enjoyable. You could feel the excitement building as we climbed the hill to Blood Mountain.

Kickoff in Death Valley

I just want to say here, quickly, that I am so excited that I've already had to run to the bathroom once and feel almost sick to my stomach because of nerves. Clemson is about to kickoff the 2007 football season in Death Valley against Florida State.

Optimism is high. Expectations may be even higher. With that in mind, and knowing my mental state, I'll have to say that this is probably not the most well thought out post I've ever put on here, but it's probably better than the one after the BC game last year.

I'm saying it now, we BLOW OUT FSU tonight. 37-17. You heard it here first.

We also go undefeated and beat USC 120-3 in the national championship game, but that's for later.

GO TIGERS!!!

Blood Mountain

I spent this past week at a place that I'll affectionately, and fearfully, refer to as "Blood Mountain." That's not it's actual name, but if you could've seen the fog rolling in on it's cold breeze, you'd understand. It wasn't a place for the faint of heart.

Besides the eerie cloud effects on almost a nightly basis, you had the food. There is only so many ways that you can prepare chicken and rice, and trust me, this place tried them all. We also had packs of wild dogs that roamed the premises. Big dogs, little dogs, short legged dogs, long haired dogs, we had them all. And as bad as the main dishes were, the desert line at this place was phenomenal. I put this in the "dangerous" section because of the impact it may end up having on my dental hygiene and body mass index.

On the positive side, we got some great time to fellowship with people from all over the country. Seeing old friends and meeting new friends was by far the best part of the week for me. We also got some solid teaching from our leadership, which is comforting and challenging. Singing songs in English, especially some classic hymns, is a blessing that I don't get very often. And the wonderful people from the States brought cookies and snacks that you just can't get anywhere around here. Oh, and don't forget about free afternoons! Time to nap, chat, and play should be a part of every day.

I need to get out of the house and go visit the Barber and some other friends. But rest assured that there are plenty of stories to be told. Tonight, as I hopefully listen in on the beginnings of the college football season, I will try to pass on a story or two.