Welcome to the Neighborhood.

I've officially been initiated into the neighborhood ladies society. Yes, there is one, I'm sure of it. It had been relatively quiet in our little apartment until today when I met the chairmen of the society in the elevator. And glad to have met her. She promptly invited me up for tea after wanting to know who I was and where I lived. The invite was for...now. So I, like a good roommate, grabbed my 'ev-arkadasim' (my roommate) and scurried up to floor 7 to meet the neighbors. First we met the chairman of what i will affectionately refer to from now on as the Society. Because it was in her apartment where this particular meeting was impromptu called to order. She was home alone, but not for long because she called both of her sisters and her sister-in-law to come over and the neighbor from downstairs to come up. And this being Turkey, of course they all did immediately to be social and meet the new neighbors! It was pretty delightful. We stayed for about two hours testing my Turkish and by the end, I felt sure Melissa and I had been initiated. I feel sure of this because shortly after returning home, our 2nd floor neighbor rang the bell to take me to the bazaar! Always have your jacket and purse ready to go here. I threw my shoes on and we went to the bazaar. It was actually the first time I'd been to the bazaar and it will put a farmer's market to shame any day! I tried to take a few pictures, but felt so bad at embarrassing Mrs. 2nd floor that I gave up. I told her my mom would love to see a bazaar, and i knew you would momma. But imagine behind the fence in the picture, just an endless maze of piles of fruits and vegetables and they're much less expensive than at the grocery stores! I didn't want to hurt my new friend's feelings, but she kept piling the vegetables in my bag. I of course, had to buy a whole kilo of everything i bought. I didn't have the heart to tell her that it will take me and Melissa FOREVER to go through all these vegetables. But I only spent about $2.50 and we'll have plenty to work with when our other neighbors come over later this week for dinner, yes all SIX of the girls from across the hall are coming over!

I have however realized, that I am going to need a box of Nicorette and possibly a life-time supply of Crest Whitening Strips upon my return to America. I drank so many glasses of cay today, and I'd already had lunch with one of our dear friends S. and she does smoke, and I do inhale quite a bit when I'm with her. Second hand smoke, it's brutal. I try to steer clear, but hard to do cause everyone here smokes. But with S., we're working on quitting; her smoking and me second handing. She wants to quit. Me, too. (smile.)

So, we met the Ladies Society today and Saturday we're having the girls across the hall for dinner. Welcome to the neighborhood...and boy does it have it's perks. We've already received several tasty dishes, which we're working on returning with some kind of homemade goodness in turn, and one of the dishes is from one of the society ladies that we met ...today! I'm telling you. They are always prepared to be hospitable. Kisir, a rice dish and stuffed grape leaves. I hope their feelings aren't hurt when we return the dishes with banana bread on it...best we can do at the moment! I am a work in progress!