Turkish for Turkeys

I have to admit that getting up early is not my ideal Saturday morning routine, but this week's meeting proved to be a stint in hilarity.  While attempting to "teach" us some Turkish, Dr. Hazan unleashed some of his wild and crazy antics.  I'm more thrilled than ever to be going on this trip.  This group of travelers is eclectic and spirited.

Here's the Turkish I learned and can use:

merhaba

It means hello.  I got nothing else.  So I will be running around Turkey in June saying hello! to everyone and smiling.  Smiles are universal... thank Allah.

A second post? But we haven't even left yet...

I'm changed.  And I like it.

While discussing Islam, the primary religion practiced in Turkey, the topic of Muslim women's dress came up.  Many Muslim women choose to wear scarves or other types of coverings.  First enlightenment:  there are many types of headscarves and dress worn by Muslim women.  The full veil and all black dress of the burka usually comes to mind when one thinks of Muslim covering because of the press it's received as of late.  The predominant scarf in Turkey is called hijab.  Hijab covers the hair and ears.  Other types of scarves/dress worn by Muslim women include chador, niqab, and the contentious burka (muslim headscarves).  Second realization: for most women, its a personal choice to wear hijab or not.  I learned that women do not feel oppressed by wearing hijab.  In fact, it empowers them.  This is all part of an important Islam aspect of modesty in both women AND men.  Something American society is seriously lacking.  I've always held the assumption women were MADE to wear hijab but this is not true.  (Revelation!)

My female, American mind could not fathom covering my hair!  Hair is a symbol of beauty in our society and has been engrained into my brain since I was 4 years old playing with my Barbies.  We are so judged and labeled by our appearance in Western society.   Mystery is completely absent from the images girls and women see everyday in American "culture."  I really pondered the thought of what wearing hijab would do for one's sense of self. 

In today's Turkey, hijab is coming back.  While leader of the newly labeled Turkey (1922), Ataturk told women to abandon the hijab and men to wear Western fedoras.  Hijab can be found in many colors and patterns. Or in black or plain.  It's all based on your personal preference.  The hijab I've encountered during the small amount of research I've had time to do is all very beautiful and there is a great variety.  

I learned something new and so can you.  So could the world.  I think Islam is probably the most misunderstood thing in America.  I'm an open-minded, educated human living in a quasi-liberal section of the US and I still had many of my preconceived notions shredded by 30 mins of discussion.  One tiny piece of information is all it takes.  One.

The Trip Explained

I was awarded a spot on a Fulbright-Hays service trip abroad.  The destination: Turkey.  The group is comprised of 6 teachers and 6 teacher candidates.  We will trek across most of the country, stationed out of the capital, Ankara, for two weeks and then Istanbul for two weeks.   As a member of this group, all my expenses are paid except for the roughly $800 I coughed up for the grad cred I will receive... bonus!   So, I'm going to Turkey for a month.  (Applause.)

My roll in this little soiree isn't to just be the coolest never-been-out-of-the country-because-I accidenally-had-a-cripling-fear-of-flying-in-my-20's-and-Mexico-doesn't-count chick ever.  I'm expected to learn and grow my craft along the way.  To do this I'm required to come up with a plan and then produce some finished products.  This is the first of said projects.  Welcome to my blog.  

Second of these projects will be an IB Unit of Inquiry.  A Unit of Inquiry a science or social studies based unit which is part the International Baccalaureate curriculum.  Students "steer" learning in the direction of what they find most fascinating about these concept based units.  It requires research and the ultimate goal is to produce 21st Century students who are internationally minded.  

Friday night, I received a phone call from Trent, aka Spanish teacher extraordinare/co-worker/BFF.  He was going to be at tomorrow's meeting, the first of three pre-departure Saturday meetings.   Perplexed and incredibly excited I came to find out one of the teachers is unable to make the trip and so Trent may be joining.  Needless to say we were both over the moon!

In summation, be jealous of me... hey, I'm jealous of me!  I've waited for a long time to realize that the world is ready for me and I'm ready for it... so here we go!  I'm about to be unleashed on Earth and we'll just hope she's ready to wrap me in her big, loving arms.