Hello, Everybody. My name is Brooks and I live in Istanbul. I'm a retired university teacher, but have a couple of projects going. I've been living here for 5 years and really love it. Peace from Besiktas, Istanbul.

Hi Brooks. Welcome to the site. So where are you from? I'm sure after 5 years you'll be a good addition to the forum.

Kiki

That came out wrong. I meant that "having lived here for 5 years" you'll have lots to offer. Whoops!

brooks! sit up straight and pay attention boy!

Welcome.

Welcome. What did u teach? what are these other irons in the fire? Death, misery and pestilence from Beyoğlu, Istanbul.

Bloody hell Arikan, you've aged.

Welcome to the forum Brooks in Istanbul.

Matt

Welcome Brooks. I would love to hear about your love affair with Istanbul.

I appreciate all of you taking the time to send me a message. There were so many of them, I was a bit taken aback. As I said, I've been here for about five years. I used to teach English at a University, but I retired from that. Now I'm working on two projects- I'm helping a Turkish businessman start a business in Istanbul (more on that when plans are solidified) and I'm starting a Democrats Abroad committee in Turkey. (Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party organization for the millions of Americans living outside the United States.) Those two projects really take up most of my time.

Things I would tell a newcomer: 1. when someone tilts their head back and lifts their eyebrows it DOESN'T mean, "hey baby, let's do it." 2. There is a big difference between "inecek var" and "inek var" (that got me some looks). 3. "Tatlim" is not the name of your best friend's wife, no matter how many times he says it instead of her real name. 4. Don't play "I got your nose" with your friend's 6-year-old son. and 5. try not to blow your nose in public no matter how much you have to.

Again, thank you all for your messages. Please forgive me if I don't respond to each of you one by one- I just don't have that kind of time on my hands.

With Respect, Brooks

You're right about not blowing your nose in public, it's much more acceptable to close one nostril and impersonate old faithful. Or of course you can spit anywhere and cough without covering your mouth, especially in crowded environments.

Airborne virus anyone?

Welcome to the forum Brooks.

I was trying to place your name - how many Brooks that are retired university teachers can there be in Istanbul? Then I saw your second message and remembered the Democrats Abroad story from the Turkish Daily News a few weeks back.

Did you get enough members for your chapter? I did some googling after that article and couldn't find any info on the net.

At any rate, I'd like to join. If you could include more info, that'd be great.

4. Don't play "I got your nose" with your friend's 6-year-old son.

Good advice that - I'm going to try it regularly...

[quote user="brooks" post="97212"] There is a big difference between "inecek var" and "inek var" (that got me some looks). [/quote]

I used to make that mistake also. Very funny on the dolmuş.