University of Istanbul (Turkey)

Well faithful readers, it's been eleven days since my last post. Our time was filled with activities that now pass as routine. Terry's Fulbright duties include teaching graduate students at the university. But going above and beyond she uses her "off" time to lecture at universities and high schools all over Jordan on behalf of the US Embassy. She also gave a writing workshop for university students, attended committee meetings, and provided career counseling to students from all over the university who heard her background and sought her out. She edited faculty research and doctoral students' dissertations (that they write such complex things in English is very impressive), and helped a military colonel with a paper. And in the little time left we were guests (lunches and dinners) of her generous colleagues.

Yesterday we flew to Istanbul, Turkey, because (as I wrote in a previous post) Fulbright encourages scholars to lecture throughout the region. After we landed in Turkey I had the same sensation as when we lived in Alaska and visited Hawaii in the winter: It was nice to see greenery again. We are staying in Istanbul's historic district and had a "hotel orientation" by an enthusiastic young man named Ufuk (no kidding). I've grown so used to using Arabic words I kept saying "shukran" and "afwan" ("thank you" and "you're welcome" in Arabic), despite the fact that Arabic isn't spoken in Turkey! I'm guessing it will be some time before I stop including Arabic words in my speech. Young Ufuk told us he lives across the Bosphorus Strait, which means he goes from Asia to Europe, and back again, for work every day. After an elaborate tea at the hotel, and trust me, Turkey lives up to its reputation as a foodie paradise, we walked the cobbled, narrow (and clean) streets of the old town (a UNESCO world heritage site). Each block is more colorful than the last. The skyline is dominated by the enormous Blue Mosque. The bazaar we entered had high end Turkish products such as leather goods, hand woven rugs, ceramics, antique jewelry, and Turkish delight, the famous jellied candy.

This morning a doctoral student from the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing at the University of Istanbul brought us to the university for Terry's lecture. The reason a Turkish school is named after a British subject is because Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing, came to prominence in 1854 during the Crimean War and British war casualties were brought to Istanbul, so it was here she did her work. We were greeted by members of the school's international committee and given a tour. It is the largest nursing school in Turkey with over 2,000 students. At one point someone mentioned my wife would be speaking to students who knew no English. While I thought the pucker factor on that was pretty high Terry took it in stride (she told me later that happened before in Cambodia). It turns out they understood her just fine. It seems obligatory for schools and students to modestly downplay their English skills when there is really no need. Before the lecture we were treated to Turkish coffee, for those who don't know a very thick coffee one drinks down to the grounds. Then we were treated to a local custom, the reading of fortunes in the coffee grounds. Among the many good things about to happen to us, it turns out we are going to enjoy a family celebration so happy we will all "hold hands and dance." We were pleased to receive positive fortunes (Whew!!). The lecture went well and Terry was very well received as always. Afterward the students and faculty gathered around for photos and Terry was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a handcrafted wooden box filled with, you guessed it, Turkish delight.