First Impressions

Turkish Airlines doesn't have a direct flight from Berlin to Ankara which is surprising given that they're the two capitals, but changing planes in Istanbul went smoothly and customs in Ankara was a snap. The Havas shuttle was easy to find and taxis were in abundance in the city center. The sun was setting and the colors beautiful. An advantage of not being met at the airport was a sense of accomplishment from actually getting to the right place with my own guvergin (pigeon) Turkish.

We left Atlanta in the middle of a drought and felt right at home except that Ankara is high plateau, but dry, dry, dry. Otherwise: 4-5 million people, check; traffic congestion, check; air pollution, check; friendly, helpful people, check; pedestrian friendly, not a chance. Yep, feeling right at home.

We're settling in having found an apartment (details to come), the bus and metro route to work, the local Migros (grocery store), a bank account, local eateries (more about food later), and Wi-Fi access in the bar at the hotel at the end of the block. (hoops to jump through before we can hook up at home). 

What's missing? Not much: friends of course, Nell, auto independence, peanut butter without sugar, puttering in the yard,  the Sunday Times, and a good coffee maker. 

What's new? New friends to make, great new foods, calls to prayer, dodging cars, embassies everywhere in the neighborhood, flower shops on every corner, shops on every corner, wonderful fresh fruit in those shops on every corner. Finding an extension cord was an adventure. With my little dictionary and expertise at charades, we can get just about whatever we need. ("You can't always get what you want, but ...")

All in all, we're delighted to be in Ankara.