Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Christmas tree has disappeared!
6 December, Saint Nicolaus (the real Santa Claus!). Although the good man Agios Nikolaos was originally Turkish (from Myra, about 110 km from Kemer), there are no signs of him. Of course, we are in a muslim country…
In the meantime a Christmas tree had appeared in the restaurant of my hotel, complete with presents and… Easter bells. One can not have everything in life.
The day after a second tree was built up in the entrance hall of the hotel, this time with real Christmas balls and garlands.
I was about to make a picture of it but what happened… since yesterday the Christmas trees have disappeared. Nobody knows where they are. When I ask explanation at the reception they just say “I don’t know, it is gone”.
Probably it has to do with Bayram that is celebrated about 70 days after Ramadan and during which a sheep is sacrificed. I wonder if they will slaughter on the street like immigrants sometimes try to do or if they will go to the butchery. It doesn’t matter, I just hope I will get some sheep meat as I had enough of chicken, the rund meat a bit tasteless and pork meat completely absent.
And further… I only had 12 guests last week, not much, till 2 pm it’s still hot, up to 25° C, but it gets cooler and dark at 5 pm. I stay here until January 18th (end of the working permit), and afterwards… it will be a surprise…
In the meantime a Christmas tree had appeared in the restaurant of my hotel, complete with presents and… Easter bells. One can not have everything in life.
The day after a second tree was built up in the entrance hall of the hotel, this time with real Christmas balls and garlands.
I was about to make a picture of it but what happened… since yesterday the Christmas trees have disappeared. Nobody knows where they are. When I ask explanation at the reception they just say “I don’t know, it is gone”.
Probably it has to do with Bayram that is celebrated about 70 days after Ramadan and during which a sheep is sacrificed. I wonder if they will slaughter on the street like immigrants sometimes try to do or if they will go to the butchery. It doesn’t matter, I just hope I will get some sheep meat as I had enough of chicken, the rund meat a bit tasteless and pork meat completely absent.
And further… I only had 12 guests last week, not much, till 2 pm it’s still hot, up to 25° C, but it gets cooler and dark at 5 pm. I stay here until January 18th (end of the working permit), and afterwards… it will be a surprise…
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Looking for a job.
No, I didn't leave Thomas Cook, neithber they licensed me.
But I'm a bit unhappy with the stand-by situation for the second winter half (15 January – end March). It means I don't know where I will go to, even not when. I could be 16th January but also a month later or... even nothing.
I need to be available so I can't go abroad.
Therefor I'm thinking of getting a non-actief position for that period: I will not be working for Thomas Cook and I'm free to do what I want: travelling, working, nothing,...
If someone has some idea for holiday, (temporarily) job,... please let me know. So I might finally go back to Italy or go to Egypt. Or go to Slovenia (It's years I have an invitation to go there.....) or who knows, maybe I can go to see a friend in Canada....
All advise is welcome... and I will inform you on my decision.
But I'm a bit unhappy with the stand-by situation for the second winter half (15 January – end March). It means I don't know where I will go to, even not when. I could be 16th January but also a month later or... even nothing.
I need to be available so I can't go abroad.
Therefor I'm thinking of getting a non-actief position for that period: I will not be working for Thomas Cook and I'm free to do what I want: travelling, working, nothing,...
If someone has some idea for holiday, (temporarily) job,... please let me know. So I might finally go back to Italy or go to Egypt. Or go to Slovenia (It's years I have an invitation to go there.....) or who knows, maybe I can go to see a friend in Canada....
All advise is welcome... and I will inform you on my decision.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Winter in Kemer...
Hmmm, big changes here.
Of course it's not a real winter: temperature during the day is almost 30°, only the evenings are cooler or even cold.
But it's winter season in tourism, and you can feel it.
A lot of souvenir shops are closed, the others have discount and fix prices.
Some hotels are closing down. That's somehow sad, especially for the last guests. No lights in the lobby, no animation, no music, cold water in the swimming pool and every day left overs on the buffet. These are the main complaints of the guests.
I went to say goodbye to the people at the reception desk or guest relations, to the security personal. Sad situation: most of them will not have a job during winter. And next year: they will work in the same hotel or in another one...
Also our little office in Kemer is deserted: no cleaning woman anymore, less drivers jump in to say hello and the Russian hosts living upstairs all have left.
Peri has left to and of course he has taken away all the pictures and announcements from the walls: it looks sad and empty.
Only Risa and Korhan are still working, but rather quiet.
Today I visited my “new” hotels in Antalya: my goodness, great things. Sheraton Voyager, finally a “real” 5 star hotel, and Hillside Su: every thing in and outside is white. I had to keep on my sunglasses as it was blinking too much.
I hope that I will have good contacts there.
Even our guests have changed: they seem to have I higher economical level, and we have a lot of grandparents with grandchildren. And some are here for a longer period: a couple of weeks or even months, to avoid the cold time at home.
And maybe I have to move to, to the “big city”. But I'm not sure that I want it: here in Kemer it's green and quite. Maybe also a little bit dead. There is defenetively much more to do in Antalya. But it is more chaotic and I don't know if I am already ready for it. But of course it is not like in Istanbul.
You see, I'm a bit nostalgic to the summer, the heat, the work and many guests, my manager and colleagues. But winters here are much shorter than in Europe, so everything will go quickly...
Of course it's not a real winter: temperature during the day is almost 30°, only the evenings are cooler or even cold.
But it's winter season in tourism, and you can feel it.
A lot of souvenir shops are closed, the others have discount and fix prices.
Some hotels are closing down. That's somehow sad, especially for the last guests. No lights in the lobby, no animation, no music, cold water in the swimming pool and every day left overs on the buffet. These are the main complaints of the guests.
I went to say goodbye to the people at the reception desk or guest relations, to the security personal. Sad situation: most of them will not have a job during winter. And next year: they will work in the same hotel or in another one...
Also our little office in Kemer is deserted: no cleaning woman anymore, less drivers jump in to say hello and the Russian hosts living upstairs all have left.
Peri has left to and of course he has taken away all the pictures and announcements from the walls: it looks sad and empty.
Only Risa and Korhan are still working, but rather quiet.
Today I visited my “new” hotels in Antalya: my goodness, great things. Sheraton Voyager, finally a “real” 5 star hotel, and Hillside Su: every thing in and outside is white. I had to keep on my sunglasses as it was blinking too much.
I hope that I will have good contacts there.
Even our guests have changed: they seem to have I higher economical level, and we have a lot of grandparents with grandchildren. And some are here for a longer period: a couple of weeks or even months, to avoid the cold time at home.
And maybe I have to move to, to the “big city”. But I'm not sure that I want it: here in Kemer it's green and quite. Maybe also a little bit dead. There is defenetively much more to do in Antalya. But it is more chaotic and I don't know if I am already ready for it. But of course it is not like in Istanbul.
You see, I'm a bit nostalgic to the summer, the heat, the work and many guests, my manager and colleagues. But winters here are much shorter than in Europe, so everything will go quickly...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hello, I'm back in Kemer, with my new laptop.
I really enjoyed the short week in Belgium: I have picked up a suitcase of 40 kg that friends had brought to Belgium, I went for a dinner to another couple of friends that cooked divine, I was in Holland to meet Franco (my ex-Italian-boss) who had run the marathon of Amsterdam, and spent some time with my nefues that really were surprised and happy with my presence. And of course I cannot forget my mother that cooked all those delicious dishes I miss here so much.
Here I am with my new computer: it's really easy now to access to the internet. Unfortunately Blogspot and so also my blog pages were blocked for a couple of days by the Turkish government: I wonder what kind of information offended the Turkish state (on another blog, not on my pages).
Here, things are changing.
First of all, it gets colder. In the mornings and in the evenings I need to wear a jacket. Though during the day we still reach temperatures of 25° and it seems that by the end of the week we will have 30° again.
Zoë has left, is back home, so I have to manage the whole coast (about 30 km): I'm driving a lot...
Fulya is also ending, she passes me the arrival lists of the Germans. ... brr... the idea though to have meetings in German scares me: I'm still not convinced my German is good enough. So I started reading a German travel guide and newspaper.
Marjorie is having the last shows in her hotel.
And Peri seems to be a bit nervous: the end of the season also means a lot of statistics and reports.
And I... well, although I need to do a lot of hotels on the whole coast line, I have a lot of free time. Tomorrow only two meetings and nothing the day after... maybe some time to read a book or watch a film or who knows, to start a course... We will see.
My future is sure and insecure. From the first of November on I will have a Swiss contract. That means I will have (slightly) higher wages, but more social advantages: pension savings and health insurance now will be paid by the company for me. And I also will get a bonus for my languages. But I have taken back my official residence in Belgium, something I really don't like: I feel Italian from may hair to my toes. But there was no other choice.
Future is insecure as I know I will only be in Kemer till half January. Afterwards... we will see. I am "stand by" to go to any destination where I could be useful. Easy for the company: where ever they need someone speaking one or more of the 3 languages I speak, I can be dropped. For me it means that the next destination could remain a surprise till the last moment. On the other hand, in this way it might be possible that for next summer I get one of the destinations I had asked for: Sicily, Amalfitanian cost or Sardegna.
For now I will go on: I'm glad and satisfied about the last 3 months, about the persons I met and all the things I have learned.
And the future: I think it's just a matter of faith.
Or what do you think?
Here I am with my new computer: it's really easy now to access to the internet. Unfortunately Blogspot and so also my blog pages were blocked for a couple of days by the Turkish government: I wonder what kind of information offended the Turkish state (on another blog, not on my pages).
Here, things are changing.
First of all, it gets colder. In the mornings and in the evenings I need to wear a jacket. Though during the day we still reach temperatures of 25° and it seems that by the end of the week we will have 30° again.
Zoë has left, is back home, so I have to manage the whole coast (about 30 km): I'm driving a lot...
Fulya is also ending, she passes me the arrival lists of the Germans. ... brr... the idea though to have meetings in German scares me: I'm still not convinced my German is good enough. So I started reading a German travel guide and newspaper.
Marjorie is having the last shows in her hotel.
And Peri seems to be a bit nervous: the end of the season also means a lot of statistics and reports.
And I... well, although I need to do a lot of hotels on the whole coast line, I have a lot of free time. Tomorrow only two meetings and nothing the day after... maybe some time to read a book or watch a film or who knows, to start a course... We will see.
My future is sure and insecure. From the first of November on I will have a Swiss contract. That means I will have (slightly) higher wages, but more social advantages: pension savings and health insurance now will be paid by the company for me. And I also will get a bonus for my languages. But I have taken back my official residence in Belgium, something I really don't like: I feel Italian from may hair to my toes. But there was no other choice.
Future is insecure as I know I will only be in Kemer till half January. Afterwards... we will see. I am "stand by" to go to any destination where I could be useful. Easy for the company: where ever they need someone speaking one or more of the 3 languages I speak, I can be dropped. For me it means that the next destination could remain a surprise till the last moment. On the other hand, in this way it might be possible that for next summer I get one of the destinations I had asked for: Sicily, Amalfitanian cost or Sardegna.
For now I will go on: I'm glad and satisfied about the last 3 months, about the persons I met and all the things I have learned.
And the future: I think it's just a matter of faith.
Or what do you think?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
One week off…
I HAD to go. I would come to Belgium on Sunday, stand by waiting for a flight at the airport. If necessary on the lap of the pilot, Peri had said. But for the Brussels flights even that was not an option. So I flew to Düsseldorf (Germany) and continued by train. Too late for the party with my family. The youngest children already had gone home and Jesse was fighting against the sleep to see me.
In Belgium, no mist or rain, but it is cold. If the lowest temperature you know is 25°, than 20° is cold in house. I’m sitting here with a winter slippers and a pullover.
Enjoying my free time, copying CD’s, shopping and buying clothes as I have slimmed 15 kg!
Calling some friends I didn’t hear for the last few months or answering those unanswered e-mails; putting some pictures on the internet.
One week holiday, and than back to Kemer for the first half of the winter season.
I will be alone there: Zoë is quitting the job, Marjorie has another destination, Fulya will work the second winter half and Peri has the intention to travel around the world.
Till January 15th I’ll deal with people in Dutch, French and German (ai ai…).
I still don’t know what will happen afterwards, but I’m quite sure I won’t go to Italy as I asked for and I feel rather disappointed about that. I even don’t know where to go the second winter half. My bosses decided above my head and I’m afraid it will be a destination I absolutely don’t like. In that case… of course there are other tour operators… I’ll find something.
But first we make the winter, their should be less work and more leisure time. I have ordered a new laptop, so I should be easier to keep in touch with everyone. I’ll do my best to bring some more news. So keep an eye on my blog…
In Belgium, no mist or rain, but it is cold. If the lowest temperature you know is 25°, than 20° is cold in house. I’m sitting here with a winter slippers and a pullover.
Enjoying my free time, copying CD’s, shopping and buying clothes as I have slimmed 15 kg!
Calling some friends I didn’t hear for the last few months or answering those unanswered e-mails; putting some pictures on the internet.
One week holiday, and than back to Kemer for the first half of the winter season.
I will be alone there: Zoë is quitting the job, Marjorie has another destination, Fulya will work the second winter half and Peri has the intention to travel around the world.
Till January 15th I’ll deal with people in Dutch, French and German (ai ai…).
I still don’t know what will happen afterwards, but I’m quite sure I won’t go to Italy as I asked for and I feel rather disappointed about that. I even don’t know where to go the second winter half. My bosses decided above my head and I’m afraid it will be a destination I absolutely don’t like. In that case… of course there are other tour operators… I’ll find something.
But first we make the winter, their should be less work and more leisure time. I have ordered a new laptop, so I should be easier to keep in touch with everyone. I’ll do my best to bring some more news. So keep an eye on my blog…
Saturday, September 27, 2008
News from Turkey!
Eh eh, finally I’m back...
For those who think they have waited to long, just remember that no news is good news... And that is really what it is...
I’m living more than 2 months in Kemer now, and (unfortunately) it’s coming to its end.
I still like it, even if I need to work really very hard, sometimes more than 10 hours per day, I even lost a lot of weight (don’t know how much, just know that my clothes are about 2 sizes smaller now) and I have been sweating a lot, not only from working but also from hot temperature (above 45°) and humidity (above 85%).
But I enjoy it. It seems I’m among the oldest ones here, older then my manager and his manager etc… but it is an advantage, my age and 10 years experience in tourism help me a lot to handle boring tourists trying to transfer their stress and frustration onto me.
In the morning I have “FIT”s, Ferien Informations Treffen, Welcome meetings.
Every day at least two planes arrive from Belgium, and often also people from the Netherlands and France. They get distributed over the whole Turkish Riviera (from Kemer to Alanya, look on a map..) That means that in every of the 4 hotels I manage every day new guests can arrive. So I might need to organise a maximum of 8 of those FIT’s, one in Flemish (Dutch) and one in French in every hotel.
Aim is to give information on the hotel, the region, myself (where and when to find me) and obviously on the excursions that can be booked.
In the afternoon I go back to the hotels for speaking hour, moment when guests come with their complaints, questions or to book excursions.
And in the meantime I need to do some administration: writing personalised invitations for the FIT’s, giving return flight information...
I have a rather full package, a lot of arrivals and work. I don’t have time to go to the beach so I still have a pale skin. People sometimes ask me if I only arrived a couple of days before...
When I have time (mostly on Wednesday), I make jeep safari, scuba diving, go relaxing on a boat, or go to the hamam.
Although my full program, I don’t complain about my work and working atmosphere: my manager behaves more like a coach giving “tips & tricks” to improve my work (selling excursions), or how to resist to the never ending complaints of some guests. He has enough humility to ask my opinion on some issues and always ready for a joke or a good chat.
I have a Turkish colleague, she looks like a European: very nice and always ready to help me.
And the young Zoe, could be my daughter, working good for her age. And Marjorie, the French colleague, repper and animator in one job. I couldn’t do it.
The most boring part of the job are the complaints, sometimes really ridiculous (one has complained because little sea fishes where biting his legs while swimming in the sea). And French (or French speaking) are the worst (Pascale, désolée!): they never give up complaining. Mammamia...
Fortunately there are enough nice and satisfied tourists telling me how great their holiday is. Some have asked me where I will go next summer season, as they want to stay where I will be working.
Turkey is still okay, though I’m really missing some things now: I would like to eat raw ham or pork meat (who had ever thought that I would miss meat!), a good sandwich with cheese, salad and tomatoes eating “on the way” (I go eating in a restaurant 2 times per day). Having my lunch or dinner without being disturbed by tourist that always invent new questions when they see my face. A latex mattress instead of a spring mattress, something I really hate. My feather bed instead of blankets and sheets. I would like to hear church bells instead of the muezzin singing his prayer from the minaret. I would like to drive my car without holding my hand on the claxon.
Fortunately in this moment I’m enjoying a squisite salami my manager offered my. Not bad!
Istanbul: closed case. Unfortunately I didn’t receive my last payment and Filiz is just not answering me... Turkish reliability? I know something about it...
The future? I still don’t know. I seems they have forgotten about me in Switserland (main seat of Thomas Cook), and so I still don’t know where I will be working next winter. Most probably back in Turkey. We will see. In the meantime I enjoy this adventure...
For those who think they have waited to long, just remember that no news is good news... And that is really what it is...
I’m living more than 2 months in Kemer now, and (unfortunately) it’s coming to its end.
I still like it, even if I need to work really very hard, sometimes more than 10 hours per day, I even lost a lot of weight (don’t know how much, just know that my clothes are about 2 sizes smaller now) and I have been sweating a lot, not only from working but also from hot temperature (above 45°) and humidity (above 85%).
But I enjoy it. It seems I’m among the oldest ones here, older then my manager and his manager etc… but it is an advantage, my age and 10 years experience in tourism help me a lot to handle boring tourists trying to transfer their stress and frustration onto me.
In the morning I have “FIT”s, Ferien Informations Treffen, Welcome meetings.
Every day at least two planes arrive from Belgium, and often also people from the Netherlands and France. They get distributed over the whole Turkish Riviera (from Kemer to Alanya, look on a map..) That means that in every of the 4 hotels I manage every day new guests can arrive. So I might need to organise a maximum of 8 of those FIT’s, one in Flemish (Dutch) and one in French in every hotel.
Aim is to give information on the hotel, the region, myself (where and when to find me) and obviously on the excursions that can be booked.
In the afternoon I go back to the hotels for speaking hour, moment when guests come with their complaints, questions or to book excursions.
And in the meantime I need to do some administration: writing personalised invitations for the FIT’s, giving return flight information...
I have a rather full package, a lot of arrivals and work. I don’t have time to go to the beach so I still have a pale skin. People sometimes ask me if I only arrived a couple of days before...
When I have time (mostly on Wednesday), I make jeep safari, scuba diving, go relaxing on a boat, or go to the hamam.
Although my full program, I don’t complain about my work and working atmosphere: my manager behaves more like a coach giving “tips & tricks” to improve my work (selling excursions), or how to resist to the never ending complaints of some guests. He has enough humility to ask my opinion on some issues and always ready for a joke or a good chat.
I have a Turkish colleague, she looks like a European: very nice and always ready to help me.
And the young Zoe, could be my daughter, working good for her age. And Marjorie, the French colleague, repper and animator in one job. I couldn’t do it.
The most boring part of the job are the complaints, sometimes really ridiculous (one has complained because little sea fishes where biting his legs while swimming in the sea). And French (or French speaking) are the worst (Pascale, désolée!): they never give up complaining. Mammamia...
Fortunately there are enough nice and satisfied tourists telling me how great their holiday is. Some have asked me where I will go next summer season, as they want to stay where I will be working.
Turkey is still okay, though I’m really missing some things now: I would like to eat raw ham or pork meat (who had ever thought that I would miss meat!), a good sandwich with cheese, salad and tomatoes eating “on the way” (I go eating in a restaurant 2 times per day). Having my lunch or dinner without being disturbed by tourist that always invent new questions when they see my face. A latex mattress instead of a spring mattress, something I really hate. My feather bed instead of blankets and sheets. I would like to hear church bells instead of the muezzin singing his prayer from the minaret. I would like to drive my car without holding my hand on the claxon.
Fortunately in this moment I’m enjoying a squisite salami my manager offered my. Not bad!
Istanbul: closed case. Unfortunately I didn’t receive my last payment and Filiz is just not answering me... Turkish reliability? I know something about it...
The future? I still don’t know. I seems they have forgotten about me in Switserland (main seat of Thomas Cook), and so I still don’t know where I will be working next winter. Most probably back in Turkey. We will see. In the meantime I enjoy this adventure...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
1st of May
Finally a free day for relaxing. I wanted to go to the princes Islands, but due to the troubles in the city, trams were not working properly and no boats available. So I changed my program and went to the Basilic Cistern, had awalk at the "backside" of the Aya Sofia to end up at S. Irenea. I ended with a visit at the Spice Bazaar
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Front door.
Saturday night 01:30 am. I’m back at home after a dinner with my colleagues, a present of the boss for the good sales figures of January. It snows; there is already 10 cm on the ground. And it’s cold.
A colder shiver comes over my back when I come to my front door (3rd floor). One of two lockers has disappeared. The other is still there and locked, I twist the key twice: the door doesn’t move. Still locked. How will I get in now?
I call Filiz, 5 minutes later she arrives, with her father. Clearly the work of burglars. She calls the Police. Yes, they will come.
Also Ömer comes to give me moral assistance.
I am a bit impressed: why my apartment, third floor? Has nobody seen something? And the man of the ground floor, he was fixing the front door of the building a couple of days ago. But this morning it still didn’t close properly.
The police man arrive and Filiz’ father opens the door with another lock. First they go in to check if nobody is hidden inside. Than it’s my turn: “Don’t touch anything”, the young police man warns me, first check if nothing is missing. With his club he switches the light on in my bedroom. My computer is still there, my money lies there too. A quick inspection around the house but everything is okay, nobody has been inside. The broken lock lies on the ground.
"You can drop in on Monday for a declaration," And they are gone.
I’m a bit upset and Filiz offers to come to her house for the night.
We talk about it: probably it’s pure coincidence that I am the victim. Probably it was a kind of small burgling, in search of what money or precious to sell so they can buy to eat. Probably they were surprised by some noise or couldn’t get it because of the second lock. Probably... I will never know it. And such things will occur everywhere, aren’t they?
But the message is to keep well locked the doors.
A colder shiver comes over my back when I come to my front door (3rd floor). One of two lockers has disappeared. The other is still there and locked, I twist the key twice: the door doesn’t move. Still locked. How will I get in now?
I call Filiz, 5 minutes later she arrives, with her father. Clearly the work of burglars. She calls the Police. Yes, they will come.
Also Ömer comes to give me moral assistance.
I am a bit impressed: why my apartment, third floor? Has nobody seen something? And the man of the ground floor, he was fixing the front door of the building a couple of days ago. But this morning it still didn’t close properly.
The police man arrive and Filiz’ father opens the door with another lock. First they go in to check if nobody is hidden inside. Than it’s my turn: “Don’t touch anything”, the young police man warns me, first check if nothing is missing. With his club he switches the light on in my bedroom. My computer is still there, my money lies there too. A quick inspection around the house but everything is okay, nobody has been inside. The broken lock lies on the ground.
"You can drop in on Monday for a declaration," And they are gone.
I’m a bit upset and Filiz offers to come to her house for the night.
We talk about it: probably it’s pure coincidence that I am the victim. Probably it was a kind of small burgling, in search of what money or precious to sell so they can buy to eat. Probably they were surprised by some noise or couldn’t get it because of the second lock. Probably... I will never know it. And such things will occur everywhere, aren’t they?
But the message is to keep well locked the doors.
10 boxes and a bicycle.
I spent a week in "Europe" (27/01 – 03/02).
5 days in Italy and 3 days in Belgium. The three days in Belgium served to relax in a holiday house in the Flemish Ardennes. The days in Italy were filled with reassuring friends that I'm really fine in Turkey, with singing once more a concert and with filling boxes.
10 boxes I’ve filled, for totally 160 kg. And my bicycle, wrapped in plastic with air bolls: 15 kg. On Thursday those 175 kg were picked up from my apartment in Poggibonsi. In the end, transport by air was quicker and also cheaper.
On Monday everything will be in Istanbul they promised. And so it was. Therefore on Tuesday morning Ömer, Barish, me and a man of the transport company went with a minibus to the airport to pick up everything. I had taken along only my passport and the paper, which they had send me by e-mail.
Turkish Airlines Cargo, second floor. A nice policeman refers us to the building outside the airport area.
Second floor: do you get there by car or on feet?
In the building we are sent from one office to another, climbing up dirty stairs, going down stinking stairs. Passport control and recording of our entrance and we arrive at last at the Turkish Airlines warehouse office.
Ömer speaks with a nice lady, and though I do not understand a word of it, I immediately feel that there is a problem. She weaves with some papers, writes a little note, makes a phone call but the answer is no: no boxes today.
Ömer tries to explain me: in Italy they have issued the air way bill with the data I have given them (my addresses in Italy and in Turkey) but for the Italians the address in Turkey was so long and complicated, that they thought that somewhere hidden in-between there was also the name of the destiny. Of course there isn’t. And so on the AWB there is an address but no destiny.
And therefore according to the Turkish customs authorities those boxes can be of everyone, so they are of nobody. And therefore they are given to nobody. That’s it! Although my name and address as shipper and as destine are on the boxes and on my bicycle, I looked after it myself.
The procedure to follow now is considerably complicated: a new AWB must be issued by the Italians, than it must be certified by the Turkish embassy or consulate in Rome that it is replacing the original one that was issued with a mistake on it. Original copies must be sent to Turkey so no copy by means of e-mail.
Once back in the TT office I try to explain to the Italian people what happened and what’s to do now and they hardly believe it. Only in the late afternoon, when they have asked at Turkish Airlines Company, they realize what mistake they committed. They promise to settle everything as soon as possible. But in the meantime I can expect a fine of about of 250 YTL (approx. 150 Euro). And I’ll have to pay for every day the boxes remain in the warehouse.
Tuesday: the papers from Italy arrived. Ömer tries to get in contact with the custom lady as well as with the warehouse lady: both have a day off.
A new attempt on Wednesday morning: yes, everything seems to be OK now.
Thursday morning, Ömer and I go to the airport. Without renting a van… you never know.
Though we want to get everything today. Tomorrow, Friday, the local market is hold so for the whole day no car can come to my house. On Saturday and Sunday nobody is working at the warehouse and the customs, therefore then we can go back at earliest on Monday.
Second floor, climbing up dirty stairs, going down stinking stairs. Passport control and recording of our entrance. At the warehouse everything goes smoothly, also the paying of 85 YTL… And I get some papers.
Upstairs downstairs to go to the customs authorities. We need to search but most people are very friendly and explain where to go.
The papers look okay; we just should copy them all 3 times. Some confusion with my passport: it holds an entrance stamp dated 2003, but how can that be if my passport is issued only in 2004. The 8 is printed bad, so it is the entrance stamp of 2008.
Ömer asks me to wait in the office of the gentle custom employee. He speaks a bit English. And than he calls me: the manager wants to see my face, live. "Vandekerkhove" he stumbles as he has heard that name before.
Yes, I say, Willie and René, the famous football players. They are my uncles.
It works, we get the necessary stamp and signature. 30 lira please.
We go down again, to the warehouse. Again we ask "what now?", again someone helps us.
Another stamp, another piece of paper, another recording, and waiting. Finally a man on a handler comes by and brings me my belongings: 10 carbon boxes and a bicycle. The boxes are a bit collapsed, the front wheel of my bike has been removed. But everything seems to be okay.
Come, do I say to Ömer, we can finally go. NO. First a custom inspector needs to check if there are no commercial goods in the boxes. They should contain only personal stuff.
The custom inspector and his help come by. They start with the bike:
“What is she gonne do with that?”, the help asks.
"We wonder too" Ömer says.
I reply: "Belgica, Eddy Merckx?"
No reaction: they have never heard of Eddy Merckx before.
The boxes are opened to be inspected on contents. After this operation Ömer will tell me that this was the most difficult moment of the complete operation because approval or blame can depend on the mood of the custom inspector. Some of them consider personal belongings more commercial than we can imagine. But for this one there is no problem, so the boxes get closed again with "approved by the customs authorities" tape.
Let’s go now! Still not.
There are still some papers to be stamped and copies made. Back to the office of Turkish airlines, second floor, climbing up dirty stairs, going down stinking stairs. To tell that we will take along the boxes.
That is okay, once more 85 YTL please.
For the last time we are on the dirty stairs. No logics in the structure of this building.
Once downstairs... my boxes are gone!?. Ah yes, they have put them back on the shelf, they didn’t know I would take them with me today.
The handler man comes by to bring them outside the building. Finally they are mine again.
What now though? Ömer negotiates with a van transporter.
200 Lire, what are you talking about.
We accept 110 liras, a reasonable price to bring everything to my home. But instead of a van, they lead us to a station wagon, an old renault 12 from the seventies. The 10 boxes fit good, the bike goes on top.
And what about us?
Ah, we just do it in a Turkish way, Ömer says. We both go in the front on the passenger seat. It’s a bit narrow, but who cares. Finally I have my boxes. And my bike.
And Ömer? For me he’s the hero of the day!
5 days in Italy and 3 days in Belgium. The three days in Belgium served to relax in a holiday house in the Flemish Ardennes. The days in Italy were filled with reassuring friends that I'm really fine in Turkey, with singing once more a concert and with filling boxes.
10 boxes I’ve filled, for totally 160 kg. And my bicycle, wrapped in plastic with air bolls: 15 kg. On Thursday those 175 kg were picked up from my apartment in Poggibonsi. In the end, transport by air was quicker and also cheaper.
On Monday everything will be in Istanbul they promised. And so it was. Therefore on Tuesday morning Ömer, Barish, me and a man of the transport company went with a minibus to the airport to pick up everything. I had taken along only my passport and the paper, which they had send me by e-mail.
Turkish Airlines Cargo, second floor. A nice policeman refers us to the building outside the airport area.
Second floor: do you get there by car or on feet?
In the building we are sent from one office to another, climbing up dirty stairs, going down stinking stairs. Passport control and recording of our entrance and we arrive at last at the Turkish Airlines warehouse office.
Ömer speaks with a nice lady, and though I do not understand a word of it, I immediately feel that there is a problem. She weaves with some papers, writes a little note, makes a phone call but the answer is no: no boxes today.
Ömer tries to explain me: in Italy they have issued the air way bill with the data I have given them (my addresses in Italy and in Turkey) but for the Italians the address in Turkey was so long and complicated, that they thought that somewhere hidden in-between there was also the name of the destiny. Of course there isn’t. And so on the AWB there is an address but no destiny.
And therefore according to the Turkish customs authorities those boxes can be of everyone, so they are of nobody. And therefore they are given to nobody. That’s it! Although my name and address as shipper and as destine are on the boxes and on my bicycle, I looked after it myself.
The procedure to follow now is considerably complicated: a new AWB must be issued by the Italians, than it must be certified by the Turkish embassy or consulate in Rome that it is replacing the original one that was issued with a mistake on it. Original copies must be sent to Turkey so no copy by means of e-mail.
Once back in the TT office I try to explain to the Italian people what happened and what’s to do now and they hardly believe it. Only in the late afternoon, when they have asked at Turkish Airlines Company, they realize what mistake they committed. They promise to settle everything as soon as possible. But in the meantime I can expect a fine of about of 250 YTL (approx. 150 Euro). And I’ll have to pay for every day the boxes remain in the warehouse.
Tuesday: the papers from Italy arrived. Ömer tries to get in contact with the custom lady as well as with the warehouse lady: both have a day off.
A new attempt on Wednesday morning: yes, everything seems to be OK now.
Thursday morning, Ömer and I go to the airport. Without renting a van… you never know.
Though we want to get everything today. Tomorrow, Friday, the local market is hold so for the whole day no car can come to my house. On Saturday and Sunday nobody is working at the warehouse and the customs, therefore then we can go back at earliest on Monday.
Second floor, climbing up dirty stairs, going down stinking stairs. Passport control and recording of our entrance. At the warehouse everything goes smoothly, also the paying of 85 YTL… And I get some papers.
Upstairs downstairs to go to the customs authorities. We need to search but most people are very friendly and explain where to go.
The papers look okay; we just should copy them all 3 times. Some confusion with my passport: it holds an entrance stamp dated 2003, but how can that be if my passport is issued only in 2004. The 8 is printed bad, so it is the entrance stamp of 2008.
Ömer asks me to wait in the office of the gentle custom employee. He speaks a bit English. And than he calls me: the manager wants to see my face, live. "Vandekerkhove" he stumbles as he has heard that name before.
Yes, I say, Willie and René, the famous football players. They are my uncles.
It works, we get the necessary stamp and signature. 30 lira please.
We go down again, to the warehouse. Again we ask "what now?", again someone helps us.
Another stamp, another piece of paper, another recording, and waiting. Finally a man on a handler comes by and brings me my belongings: 10 carbon boxes and a bicycle. The boxes are a bit collapsed, the front wheel of my bike has been removed. But everything seems to be okay.
Come, do I say to Ömer, we can finally go. NO. First a custom inspector needs to check if there are no commercial goods in the boxes. They should contain only personal stuff.
The custom inspector and his help come by. They start with the bike:
“What is she gonne do with that?”, the help asks.
"We wonder too" Ömer says.
I reply: "Belgica, Eddy Merckx?"
No reaction: they have never heard of Eddy Merckx before.
The boxes are opened to be inspected on contents. After this operation Ömer will tell me that this was the most difficult moment of the complete operation because approval or blame can depend on the mood of the custom inspector. Some of them consider personal belongings more commercial than we can imagine. But for this one there is no problem, so the boxes get closed again with "approved by the customs authorities" tape.
Let’s go now! Still not.
There are still some papers to be stamped and copies made. Back to the office of Turkish airlines, second floor, climbing up dirty stairs, going down stinking stairs. To tell that we will take along the boxes.
That is okay, once more 85 YTL please.
For the last time we are on the dirty stairs. No logics in the structure of this building.
Once downstairs... my boxes are gone!?. Ah yes, they have put them back on the shelf, they didn’t know I would take them with me today.
The handler man comes by to bring them outside the building. Finally they are mine again.
What now though? Ömer negotiates with a van transporter.
200 Lire, what are you talking about.
We accept 110 liras, a reasonable price to bring everything to my home. But instead of a van, they lead us to a station wagon, an old renault 12 from the seventies. The 10 boxes fit good, the bike goes on top.
And what about us?
Ah, we just do it in a Turkish way, Ömer says. We both go in the front on the passenger seat. It’s a bit narrow, but who cares. Finally I have my boxes. And my bike.
And Ömer? For me he’s the hero of the day!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
FAQ
How are you?
I’m fine, trip to Istanbul was OK and now live starts to run normally
Is culture shock not too big?
Sincerely, the first days for some moments I have been truly upset. But you know me: I have taken up everything and now I feel really fine.
How is the weather?
Cold, very cold.
And the first days it was even snowing.
Has de move gone well?
Actually I didn’t move yet. I came here with a small and a big suit case, a backpack and laptop. But in Poggibonsi there are 10 carbon boxes ready for sending by the end of this month.
Where do you live now?
At this moment I live at Filiz’ place, my boss. She’s so kind to take me in her house.
How is your apartment?
My apartment is small but has a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen and need to be painted a bit before I can move in.
What are the positive elements?
There is much light
What are the negative elements?
It’s near a mosque!
Do you have ADSL at home?
As I don’t really have a home at this moment… anyway I need to inform me about the costs.
Will you have a car?
No, traffic is very similar to Napels.
Are there other Flemish or similar people nearby?
Actually I haven’t got time yet to discover the city. But that will come.
Can you see European satellite TV?
Idem as for ADSL. But I discovered that I can see RAI (Italy) but not Eén and Canvas (Flemish TV)
How did your colleagues welcome you?
Very well: I received little but very useful presents that make life in Turkey a bit easier.
Are they friendly with you?
Yes they are, especially because I try to speak Turkish with them.
How is the coocking lady?
Fantastic. Every day a good and varieted lunch
What are your working hours?
That was a surprise: I work from 11 till 20 with a short lunch break, but we work 6 days per week. As soon as I have learned everything, working days will be reduced to 5 for everyone.
What are you doing exactly?
I keep the contacts with the foreign travel agencies that bring us the customers.
Did you see Barish?
Barish, the tour guide of my latest holiday comes often in the office, especially at mid day for the free lunch. But he also works
Do you miss the Italian coffee?
Yessssssssssssssssss
What do you eat at lunch?
Various typical Turkish meals often with rise or pasta. Unfortunately we cannot eat all together as the table is too small and fits not more than 3 persons at a time.
Have you already found other activities like a choir or a sports club?
Unfortunately I haven’t got time yet but my colleague James told me that on the web site www.mymerhaba.com (site for foreigners in Turkey) there are various announcements and recently they were also looking for percussion musicians.
Did you start learning Turkish?
I only know a couple of words, try to pick up some every day but I didn’t take any lesson yet.
Do we need to learn Turkish if we come to visit you?
Of course not. Almost all colleagues speak English just as a lot of other people here.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Arrived
Yes, arrived in Istanbul,
The last days in Europe were rather chaotic: very early in the morning of 26 December I left to go south. Overnight at Gianluca and Tiziana in Bergamo to say goodbye also to them before I leave for Istanbul. They promise to visit me in Istanbul, with their child still to be born.
I’m looking forward to that.
On Thursday morning I have a long chat with Tiziana, and install skype on their computer so that we can stay in touch. I leave rather late for Poggibonsi, too late in order to arrive to house: I go endured to the hostel to work.
There is a party going on with the top of the Italian popular music but even after 10 years Italy, I don’t know any of them. But singers and musicians, we all now, go to sleep rather late so the party ends….
28 and 29 December are dedicated fully to packing and wrapping my stuff, it seems it never ends. And Filiz let me know something about an apartment. I call the office in Istanbul: It’s really nice and reassuring when Ömer tells me not to worry: in Istanbul I will find a bed and to eat and to drink.
On 30 December starts the old year rush: 2 days really hard work in mediaeval stile, and the new year has arrived before I even noticed.
So on 1 January I can go home to take a rest and to go to Lecceto, to say goodbye to the last Italian friends.
When the day after I try to sell my car there seem to be a lot of problems, though I had been asking 3 times before: I need to show my Italian working permit, my driving licences is not valid… strange that they never asked for these documents when I have bought his car. Hmmmm, this situation does not please me at all.
I sit on my suitcases to close them. Than go to sleep but wake up at 4am: too excited to sleep and I add some more stuff to my backpack
At 5.20 the bus leaves for Rome, but the driver warns us for snow on the way. So we have to change bus. Delay… fortunately in Rome it’s reduced to 20 minutes delay. I decide take a taxi but there is no taxi to find and a long queue waiting. With two suitcases, a backpack and I computer I make my way to the train: It leaves from the moment I sit down.
And than everything goes smoothly: I check in at the business class with 36 kg luggage (I booked economy with 20 kg luggage!), without paying any supplement. They are great the Turks!
I see heaps of clouds above Italy, snow on the Greek mounts and... it snows in Istanbul.
My backpack is not there, they will send it to me tomorrow.
Bariş waits for me at the exit: it’s nice to see him again.
We go to Filiz’ place to drop off my luggage and I make the first mistake: you take of you shoes in front of the door, slippers wait you inside the house.
Than we go to the office to meet my new colleagues and to learn the first difficult Turkish words.
Together with Bariş and Ömer we have dinner at Filiz and her fathers house.
My bed is made up in the living room: it’s a bit hard... but I fall asleap immediately, I’m tired.
But I’m in Istanbul.
The last days in Europe were rather chaotic: very early in the morning of 26 December I left to go south. Overnight at Gianluca and Tiziana in Bergamo to say goodbye also to them before I leave for Istanbul. They promise to visit me in Istanbul, with their child still to be born.
I’m looking forward to that.
On Thursday morning I have a long chat with Tiziana, and install skype on their computer so that we can stay in touch. I leave rather late for Poggibonsi, too late in order to arrive to house: I go endured to the hostel to work.
There is a party going on with the top of the Italian popular music but even after 10 years Italy, I don’t know any of them. But singers and musicians, we all now, go to sleep rather late so the party ends….
28 and 29 December are dedicated fully to packing and wrapping my stuff, it seems it never ends. And Filiz let me know something about an apartment. I call the office in Istanbul: It’s really nice and reassuring when Ömer tells me not to worry: in Istanbul I will find a bed and to eat and to drink.
On 30 December starts the old year rush: 2 days really hard work in mediaeval stile, and the new year has arrived before I even noticed.
So on 1 January I can go home to take a rest and to go to Lecceto, to say goodbye to the last Italian friends.
When the day after I try to sell my car there seem to be a lot of problems, though I had been asking 3 times before: I need to show my Italian working permit, my driving licences is not valid… strange that they never asked for these documents when I have bought his car. Hmmmm, this situation does not please me at all.
I sit on my suitcases to close them. Than go to sleep but wake up at 4am: too excited to sleep and I add some more stuff to my backpack
At 5.20 the bus leaves for Rome, but the driver warns us for snow on the way. So we have to change bus. Delay… fortunately in Rome it’s reduced to 20 minutes delay. I decide take a taxi but there is no taxi to find and a long queue waiting. With two suitcases, a backpack and I computer I make my way to the train: It leaves from the moment I sit down.
And than everything goes smoothly: I check in at the business class with 36 kg luggage (I booked economy with 20 kg luggage!), without paying any supplement. They are great the Turks!
I see heaps of clouds above Italy, snow on the Greek mounts and... it snows in Istanbul.
My backpack is not there, they will send it to me tomorrow.
Bariş waits for me at the exit: it’s nice to see him again.
We go to Filiz’ place to drop off my luggage and I make the first mistake: you take of you shoes in front of the door, slippers wait you inside the house.
Than we go to the office to meet my new colleagues and to learn the first difficult Turkish words.
Together with Bariş and Ömer we have dinner at Filiz and her fathers house.
My bed is made up in the living room: it’s a bit hard... but I fall asleap immediately, I’m tired.
But I’m in Istanbul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)