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.