jueves, 12 de abril de 2007

Trip to Turkey

When I was 16 years old I had the best opportunity a person may have in a lifetime, I travelled to Turkey as an exchange student with AFS( American Field service). I lived in Izmir with a host family for one year.I attended a Turkish school called Izmir Ozel Turk Lisesi where I learned not only the language but also a lot about their culture and customs.
The language was really difficult at the beggining.I remember me having terrible headaches at the end of the day as people were yelling at me all the time( somehow they think by yelling you`ll be able to undrestand better,but believe me is the other way round).
Religion marks a difference in what refers to culture.It is true that Turkey is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the muslim world which allows them to be more open but at the same time they do respect and value their religion and customs. It is shocking to listen to their "priest" saying "Allah" with louders that can be heard eveywhere in the city and people stopped doing whatever they were doing and kneel down and pried.Another thing that might impress you is the way some women dress, some of them use black clothes covering even their faces , others just cover their heads with scarves and the rest and mayority wear what is fashionable.
Turkey is a beautiful country. There are many beaches, mountains and other touristical attractions.Istanbul is a huge city ,very crowded and polluted but what you can see there is just amazing: beautiful mosques, museums , parks, and the well kown "Buyuk Bazaar"(Big Bazaar).It takes one day to know it. There are many stores where you can buy from pepper to carpets gold and even clothes. But remember never buying the price they first say you must bargain away otherwise they will feel dissapointed and so will you as it is part of the ritual of selling-buying.
To finsih, I must say Turkey was the best experience in my life because I learned a lot about another country, about my country but especially I learned a lot about me. If you have the chance to travel toTurkey don`t miss it. Turkey is great and Turkish are very good host willing to make the tourist feel as if they were at home.

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