Going off base today...

Today we finally got our gate passes so we can venture off the base.   So much paperwork to fill out with the US and with Turkey.  The base we're staying on is owned by Turkey and the American Air Force  rents the space.  There is so much security to get through and they have a dog sniff out the car and check the trunk every time you go on and off the base.  If you get a crabby guard and you're carrying something they think you may have stolen, they ask for a receipt.  Nothing is ever done consistently either, you're at the mercy of who you get, what mood they may be in, and what they deem is okay.  Very different than any other military base.  The Turkish gov't could even kick the Americans out if they ever want to.  Turkish people also do things at a very slow pace.  We dropped our paperwork off for the gate pass and they told us to come back in an hour.  All they had to do was approve and laminate the card.  Other teachers got their pass in about 5 minutes.  So funny.  I think you just have to be patient and accepting of it and keep a good sense of humor.  Nothing else you can do.  There's no benefit to getting upset, it could just make things worse for you.

The fellow teachers who have been loving on us took us to a restaurant where the food was like a smorgasbord and so fresh and delicious.  The owners knew them from last year and were so friendly to us.  We even had a practical joke played on us.  I love it here.  So fun loving the people can be.  I'll try to get the video up that someone shot of the joke.  They knew it was coming and we fell for it.  That was awesome.