We are always experiencing something new, eating something new, seeing something new, and learning something new. As we do, we try to remember to write them down so we can share them here. So here are a few:
1. There is no interest in Turkey on mortgages or credit cards. That explains why a large percentage of Turks own their own home or some land for livelihood. They will generally have a house paid off in 5-10 years. Another reason why so many own "holiday houses" at the sea or in the mountains.
2. On credit cards, they are expected to be paid off each month, but, when you make a large purchase, you have the option to pay in full, or pay it out over 6 or 12 months. They then bill your credit card the amount per month for the period of time you choose. They are very careful with credit cards. But it enables them to buy a large cost item that might otherwise be out of their reach.
3. Internet is cheap. We have DSL internet and only pay 22TL/mo or about $14 US. Our cable TV is about 25TL/mo or about $16 US. We do not have a zillion taxes added on. There are larger cable plans we could choose, but they do not contain any more English channels than we get, so why would we.
4. When you go to fill your car with gas, you still get Full Service. They fill the tank, wash the windows; all you do is pay. Actually, all we do is drive up and they fill it up. His car is fitted with a special chip that is like a credit card and it is billed directly to the company.
5. When you go to a meeting/ have a meeting at your office, you always sit down and have a cup (glass) of tea before talking business. Even in shops that cater specifically to tourist and are trying to get you to buy, say carpets, they will offer you tea/water/soda, to try and get you in "the mood" to buy.
6. Geoff got stung by a bee in the sunflower nursery a week ago. A day and a half after the sting, and he did remove the stinger, his arm was swollen double and fiery red and itchy. After dinner he decided he better go to the doctors. The establishment we will use, that has many English speaking professionals, is open 24 hours for patients and has a small hospital. It is easier to get into than the larger, very modern hospital and medical offices. This is one that we were referred to by people in the office. Anyway, we showed up, asked for someone who spoke English, showed his arm, and immediately he was taken into an examination room, showed him the Zyrtec he had taken, cortisone he had rubbed on it, and the piece of paper that he had written bee sting. The doctor, who spoke OK English, kept calling it a "butterfly". "Sting like a butterfly"? Another doctor joined him and they told him to keep taking the Zyrtec, ice it down and prescribed some topical gel that was antibiotic/anti-itch. We were in and out in less than 15 minutes. However, finding a pharmacy open was not happening. There are some all hours pharmacies, but we had no idea where to look. They are generally shut tight by 6 pm. So he had to wait until morning to get it filled at the pharmacy by work. And his arm is all better now.
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