This is my second Christmas in Turkey. Starting in November I start to get a little sad that I am here during the holiday season. I love all my friends and “Turkish” family here, but there is just something that always feels a little off. I used to take it for granted that Christmas was just everywhere in the US. You could not turn on a radio without Jingle Bell Rock or Silent Night playing, and every store was decorated to the hilt. I have always loved this, but I remember many a “Scrooge” saying how they hated all this music and this-n-that about the season. They should really just move to a Muslim country and give it a try. I am sure that 90% of the bah-hum-bugs out there would be singing a different tune come Christmas day. Malls put up generic decos, but that is it! When most Turks ask what you are doing for Christmas, they actually mean New Years (same thing to them). When you wish them a Merry Christmas you get a somewhat puzzled look like, gee…aren’t you a little early? I guess what I am trying to say is that you don’t miss it until it is gone. Cherish the season because you could be somewhere that does not have it.
I must admit that last year was much harder though. I had my crazy cat, so that ruled out a Christmas tree. This year I do not have my crazy cat anymore, so I decided to get a tree. Last year I had no Christmas movies or any way to listen to Christmas music (computer speakers being broken and all). This year my computer is working, and I downloaded all the classics (It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Frosty, Rudolph,etc…). The Opel’s were my saving grace last year and invited Murat and I to come to Christmas at their house. Murat had to work this year, but I was able to go to Avcilar to see the Opel’s new house and spend Christmas with them again!
After work on Wednesday I had a quick Turkish lesson, and then hustled over to the fast ferry to catch the only one that goes to Avcilar every evening. I arrived and was met by Kurt and Jonathan. We met up with Anna and David a t the Christmas eve party. I was fed turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, sweet potatoes, baklava, and pumpkin pie. Yummy! We hung out for a little bit while I talked FB football with a young fan who bordered on fanatic 
. The we went to their new apartment, which has the most amazing view of the Marmara I might add. The boys went to bed and Kurt, Anna, and I played Santa. We knew we would not get to sleep in the next day so we hit the sack as well.
Sure enough at 6:30-ish I was woken up by two excited boys (and a giant stuffed dolphin:). Presents were opened and we had a delicious breakfast. We relaxed for a bit, and then I was asked to read the Polar Express before we watched it. I had never seen it and enjoyed it very much. We had a mouthwatering pot roast for an early dinner, and then watched another film called the Ultimate Gift. What a wonderful film! I recommend it to everyone!!! Then we had birthday cake for Jesus’ birthday, and Kurt walked me to the bus station. It was a lovely time and I could not ask for better friends than the Opel’s. After a short ride I came to Bakirkoy to meet Murat, Mehmet, and Kadir. We went to the mall and had Chinese food before going home and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too!
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- Opel’s Christmas tree
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- Me and Anna
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- David, Jonathan, and I with their gift from me :)
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- Kurt helping put together the Clone Wars AT-TE thingy
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- Mid-day view
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- Sunset view, just breathtaking…
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- the heavens
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- wow
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- Me and two fake Santa’s at the mall ;)
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