Recent Happenings

I have neglected to post on my whereabouts the past two weeks, here are the highlights:

1. Visiting a traditional Trukish hamam: This past weekend I went with all of the women in my family to a Turkish hamam, which is essentially a public bath. There I found women of all shapes and sizes cleansing themselves, relaxing and socializing.

This was a good opportunity to bond with some of the women in my extended family--none speak English so it was very funny trying to communicate to me what to do at the hamam! General etiquette: drench yourself with hot rose-scented water, exfoliate (it looked painful so I decided to pass), cleanse hair and body, wash away soapy suds, then relax for an hour or two.

2. My fortune in a Turkish coffee cup: Coffee has its own culture in Turkey, and fortune reading out of a coffee cup has been around for centuries! After drinking a cup of coffee, cover the cup with the upside-down saucer and swirl it three times in a clock-wise direction. Put it down and allow a few minutes for the coffee to settle. Turkish coffee is much different from the coffee we drink in the US. Coffee grinds are deposited at the bottom and a lot of sugar is added. Thus, the fortune is read using the residue left in a coffee cup. A fortune reader will look for symbols seen in the cup, and where the symbol is found within the cup gives a referance to time.

My fortune was read by Derya's aunt, she told me the following:
- I will fall in love with somebody who will not love me back
- After arriving in the United States I will move to another country
- I will find a good job but will have to work very hard
- Somebody in my family will get ill :(
- One day I will move back to Turkey

3. Salsaaaaaaa: I am learning how to dance salsa in Turkey, of all places! Last night was my first lesson at a local fitness center. I went with my Brazilian friend, Juliana, and a Turkish friend, Tansu. Tansu and I ended up inventing many of our own dance moves since neither of us knows any salsa! I plan to go again next week and impress all of you when I return to Colorado.