A well-oiled machine

I am writing this post on a Pamukkale bus line. This cross-country bus...has free internet access. This is a bus in the middle of nowhere, somewhere between Ankara and Uşak...and I am on the internet.

Pamukkale is one of the more reputable Turkish bus lines. They make some attempt to regulate how the drivers drive (such things as 'staying in lanes' and 'obeying speed limits'), but of course all other drivers still pose a major threat. Turkish buses are many in number and variable in quality, but I am really impressed with what I've seen of them today. The drivers get personally fined if they do not leave the station on time, so at 10:30AM (my bus left at 11), the station abruptly emptied of buses, and five minutes later new ones pulled in. It's amazing.

As I was leaving, our main Fulbright liaison asked if I was excited. I said yes, and she said, "I know, it is a new life!" And now I'm on a bus in Turkey, using the internet for now, but about to start re-reading The New Life. How ridiculous is this?

The New Life

Merhaba dear reader! I've overheard rumors that people would like to know more about Turkey including (hopefully not limited to) what the heck I'm doing there. Well...since my Paris blog was such a critical and commercial success, I have decided to go ahead create another for my new life in Turkey.

The title of this post comes from an Orhan Pamuk book, and by "comes from", I mean "is also the title of". It is the title of the book that metaphorically grabbed me by the shoulders and said "GO. TO. TURKEY." Read it if you have the time--Orhan Pamuk is a very well respected and loved Turkish author, unlike myself.

So...this is my first post. You, the reader, can look forward to some pictures, some words, and some wit (I hope). Get excited!