Guest guest Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 Michele! I didn't know you were here! :-) Debbie deb Are your feet ready for sandals? http://www.debrasrhapsody.com/rhapsody/feet.shtml - " Michele Seretis " <mseretis Friday, June 06, 2003 9:38 AM Re: OT: Living the High?? Life > , butch owen <butchbsi@s...> > wrote: > Hi Butch..... > > Ok.....crackin up...YES Butch is right...Life is good over there!!And > the waiter really will hover over you and treat you like royality for > a buck or two...REALLY!! Been there done that, just alittle West of > you in Kavala, Serres, area in Greece. My husband is from there but > we live on the Eastren Shore of Maryland now...been here 13 1/2 > years. Yia Yai and Popoo are here now...they love it here but miss > alot of things that happen summertime in Greece and the > Meditarrainian. We have considered retiring from the restaurant biz > and spending 4-5 months a year over there and then back here. We are > on the water here so it is relaxing and quite here. There are > definetly plus and minuses to each country and until you have > actually been there and experienced it it is hard to really imagine > the differences. People are very laid back over there and take siesta > everyday but very serious when it comes to there businesses...Family > Pride!! > > life is less expensive...even though the Euro has > changed alot of that. I suggest a vacation to the Mediteranian in > the near future. They have alot of EO's being produced in Crete but, > keep going East until you bump into Butch and all the Roses!!! > I have taken the whole European theme from my trips to Greece and > have incorporated that into my products and website that is Coming > Soon. They know there herbs over there thats for sure!! Soak up > some sun for me over there Butch and keep the roses blooming!! > > ~Peace~ > Michele Seretis > www.thesoapgardenboutique.com > > ***************************************************************** > Ya.... a maid. LOL That is the only thing I know to recommend. > > > Karen J > > > > Its a great recommendation .. but not so practical in the USA now > I'm > > afraid. Having gotten used to servants is one of the four reasons I > > remain in Turkey. I don't want to clean and crap when I can have a > maid > > for $175 a month plus her busfare .. and she considers herself > overpaid > > and underworked because I work my people according to the labor > laws. > > That is 45 hours a week .. the average Turk boss squeezes 60-65 > hours > > out of their folks and dares them to quit. I also pay social > security > > but the average Turk boss avoids it .. and dares the employee to > quit. > > > > I can get a haircut, a shave, shoulder massage and manicure for > roughly > > four bucks here .. barbers won't shave men in the USA now and a > haircut > > alone costs $10 and up .. plus they use electric clippers. These > folks > > take their time .. scissors and such. > > > > Taxis are so cheap .. and parking is so rare .. that I never use my > car > > unless I am going out of town. So no concern about having a couple > of > > beers and driving. > > > > In half the areas of Ankara and damn near all the areas in Istanbul > > pedestrians walk in the street and dodge the cars .. cause the cars > are > > parked on the sidewalk. ;-p Red lights mean slow down and see if > there > > is a cop in the vicinity .. that is, unless your father is a big > shot. > > Then it means do whatever the hell you want cause you know he is > gonna > > get you out of it. We have traffic and pedestrian discipline in > the US. > > I know some of you might disagree but if you come here for a week > you > > will not disagree when you return to the USA. ;-) > > > > Here I get service when I WANT IT .. not when the service provider > wants > > to give it. Competition in the food business in the America > resulted > > in fast food prices going down in the last ten years. Too many > folks > > into service here means you get what you want when you want it and > at a > > unbelieveably low price. > > > > Here, when you go to a restaurant and they don't have what you want > on > > the menu .. the chef will send a boy out to the market to get it so > he > > can cook it up for you. The waiters will hover over you like you > are > > the only customer they've had this year .. all they want is a > dollar or > > maybe if they're lucky .. a $2 tip after they provide grand service > and > > with a smile. In the USA, if you can get the attention of the surly > > waiter you might get served. And when you are ready to leave, if > you > > don't overtip the smartass s/he is likely to insult you on the way > out. > > > > Here .. I'm treated as a honorable retired army officer by all who > know > > I am, and as an Uncle, Father, Big Brother, etc., by those younger > than > > I am. In the USA I'm just one more over-the-hill ex-friggin GI who > like > > most average folsk in the USA gets no respect but a healthy dose of > crap > > from most of the other folks they run into on a daily basis. > > > > Here .. one can go to a bar or pub for years and never see a fight > or > > even an arguement .. but try that for a week in the average > American bar > > or pub. Turks are kinder and more formal than Americans .. and > they are > > less sincere than Americans too. That's sorta what happens when > formal > > behavior or politically correct behavior is the order of the day. > > > > Here I can't get a BLT or ham and cheese at the local restaurant .. > but > > I can get a full meal for $3 or so or a lay out fit for a sultan at > a > > five start restaurant with drinks included for $20 a head. Can't > go to > > Shoney's buffet lunch but I can order ala carte from most any place > and > > they will deliver. Can't watch forty-eleven channels of relatively > fine > > TV (which most Americans take for granted) but I can go to the > opera or > > real theatre for $4 or $5 or so. > > > > Can't go out in the back yard and have a bar-be-que cause everybody > in > > the city cept'in for the REALLY RICH don't have a yard .. we live > in a > > friggin apartment. But we almost always have a nice view cause > Ankara > > is built on hills .. like Rome. > > > > Here, I can always count on friends to be there when I need them .. > and > > even when I don't need them. :-( I can always count on them > demanding > > the same in return for their friendship. That's an unfortunate > part of > > life here .. you make friends and its like you are committed to > their > > welfare and they will take advantage of that. You don't say NO to a > > friend .. even when you'd really like to choke them for asking > favors > > that you really don't want to get into. The higher the position of > the > > friend, the more they will expect in return. I think American > mentality > > in this regard is light years ahead of the rest of the world. > Maybe our > > sincerity that causes us to appear to be disrespectful to > others. ;-) > > > > There are many more positives and negatives to living here .. same > as I > > find when I go back to the USA. I think I have to live in both. ;- > p > > > > All said and done .. there are upsides and downsides to living in > any > > place. I've not mentioned the other t3 reasons .. though two of > them are > > fantastic bread baked three times daily .. and ice-cold Efes > Beer. ;-p > > > > Turkish wimmens who are beautiful (no shortage of them) generally > have > > money cause they marry well. They are spoiled by their husbands and > > soon become very vain. American wimmens who are married to Turkish > men > > here do a much better job of keeping their husbands in check cause > they > > are less inclined to allow themselves to be bought off with baubles. > > > > Y'all come on over and you can have a nice beach house on the Med > for > > $20,000 .. a maid or two for peanuts .. a chauffer/butler for $250 a > > month and a five star face lift and tummy tuck for around $2,000 > more. > > > > Y'all keep smiling. ;-p Butch http://www.AV-AT.com > > > > How To Make Rose Petal Jam - Step By Step Instructions > http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html > > To Un send a blank e-mail to: - > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 > I reckon those thoughts came to mind cause its kinda like deciding where > we wanna live. We can't have it all .. so we choose and hope its right. > This is very timely for us. We are looking for a little more acreage to have a farm and are just not finding the right piece of land. Either too far away or has wetlands or whatever. I'm starting to think Japan is looking better and better LOL Karen J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Hi Karen, > Ya, know, Butch, there is nothing like living in a new country for > broadening your horizons (literally and figuratively). I believe you are right. And I believe Military Brats gain much by being able to live in foreign lands. They sacrifice some things for sure but I think the balance is in their favor. > I lived in Japan for a little while. Great .. a very interesting place. > Funny thing, you start out just in awe with all the new, different > stuff. Then it moves to irritation " why can't they do_______, like > we do? " That's what's typically called the " Ugly American " syndrome. I prefer to call it " culture shock. " ;-p And its not difficult to find here .. even among diplomats who have lived in some strange places. > (ironically enough, for me, this was also the time when I was the > most frustrated with the language) and then comes acceptance, and then > affinity. Now I'm at the point that either place I live I have a > longing to live in the other place. LOL Hawhawhaw .. Lawdy, Lawdy gal .. do I know where you're coming from!!! When I'm here I can't wait to get back HOME to the USA ... after a month in the US .. I can't wait to get back HOME to Turkey. :-) > Right now I " m craving some ramen from the ma and pop ramen shop in a > train station, hot, slurpy and, oh, so good. > Karen J Yes'm .. I really understand your feelings. If I had a nickel for each time I've been doing something or eating something or whatever here in Turkey .. and said, " How could I ever give this up? " .. I'd be one rich dude. But when I go home to the USA .. I fall right into the swing of life and love all the things I surround myself with. I'm spontaneous when and where I travel. Sometimes I decide 2 days afore to make a trip. And when I get where I'm going I often have no plans. I rent a car and maybe drive 500 miles one day and 50 the next if something catches my eye. Around three years ago I flew up to Budapest for a long weekend on a whim .. just cause I missed the food. I'm fortunate in a way and unfortunate in another way. I've lived alone since late 1988 and don't mind it. I love the sound of silence when I sit at home and read and when I wake up mornings. But at the same time I miss the semi-full time companionship of a female friend being around to share things with. I've not lived full-time with anyone since I divorced in December 88 but I've spent 4-5 nights a week with this and that Turkish girlfriend over the years. They want to marry and I was afraid to commit. They were right and I guess I'm wrong .. but the point of this rambling is that I'm in a position to go where I want for as long as I want if the urge grabs me. I can buy a one-way ticket, throw the keys down on the desk and pack a bag .. there's some to be said for not having responsibility for anyone but yourself. And there's much to be said for having a GOOD full-time relationship. I reckon those thoughts came to mind cause its kinda like deciding where we wanna live. We can't have it all .. so we choose and hope its right. Y'all keep smiling, :-) Butch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Hi Debbie...yes I am here..it's been 6-7 months now. Just don't have time to post much with the restaurant and trying to get the website launched!! I just could not resist a reply to Butch ...it was dejavu (sp) when I read his post...there are some really good people over there and if you don't go to the touristy places and stay with a family you will understand the culture and the European way of life much better. BTW Chris.....Try the good ole fashion gargle of warm salt water and sea salt...should help the symptoms. You may even add alittle Lemon Tea Tree(just a few drops..yuck) but should help. Also, some Motirn and rest. Is your immune system wacky after the baby? Try some SeaSilver...Debbie sells it on her site great stuff for the immune system and a gazillion other things!! Good Luck! How is the Salt sale coming...has it started yet? Debbies site...... www.bodyhealthcenter.com ~Peace~ Michele Seretis www.thesoapgardenboutique.com ****************************************************************** , " Debra McDuffee " <deb@b...> wrote: > Michele! I didn't know you were here! :-) > Debbie > deb@b... > Are your feet ready for sandals? > http://www.debrasrhapsody.com/rhapsody/feet.shtml > - > " Michele Seretis " <mseretis> > > Friday, June 06, 2003 9:38 AM > Re: OT: Living the High?? Life > > > > , butch owen <butchbsi@s...> > > wrote: > > Hi Butch..... > > > > Ok.....crackin up...YES Butch is right...Life is good over there!! And > > the waiter really will hover over you and treat you like royality for > > a buck or two...REALLY!! Been there done that, just alittle West of > > you in Kavala, Serres, area in Greece. My husband is from there but > > we live on the Eastren Shore of Maryland now...been here 13 1/2 > > years. Yia Yai and Popoo are here now...they love it here but miss > > alot of things that happen summertime in Greece and the > > Meditarrainian. We have considered retiring from the restaurant biz > > and spending 4-5 months a year over there and then back here. We are > > on the water here so it is relaxing and quite here. There are > > definetly plus and minuses to each country and until you have > > actually been there and experienced it it is hard to really imagine > > the differences. People are very laid back over there and take siesta > > everyday but very serious when it comes to there businesses...Family > > Pride!! > > life is less expensive...even though the Euro has > > changed alot of that. I suggest a vacation to the Mediteranian in > > the near future. They have alot of EO's being produced in Crete but, > > keep going East until you bump into Butch and all the Roses!!! > > I have taken the whole European theme from my trips to Greece and > > have incorporated that into my products and website that is Coming > > Soon. They know there herbs over there thats for sure!! Soak up > > some sun for me over there Butch and keep the roses blooming!! > > > > ~Peace~ > > Michele Seretis > > www.thesoapgardenboutique.com > > > > ***************************************************************** > > Ya.... a maid. LOL That is the only thing I know to recommend. > > > > Karen J > > > > > > Its a great recommendation .. but not so practical in the USA now > > I'm > > > afraid. Having gotten used to servants is one of the four reasons I > > > remain in Turkey. I don't want to clean and crap when I can have a > > maid > > > for $175 a month plus her busfare .. and she considers herself > > overpaid > > > and underworked because I work my people according to the labor > > laws. > > > That is 45 hours a week .. the average Turk boss squeezes 60-65 > > hours > > > out of their folks and dares them to quit. I also pay social > > security > > > but the average Turk boss avoids it .. and dares the employee to > > quit. > > > > > > I can get a haircut, a shave, shoulder massage and manicure for > > roughly > > > four bucks here .. barbers won't shave men in the USA now and a > > haircut > > > alone costs $10 and up .. plus they use electric clippers. These > > folks > > > take their time .. scissors and such. > > > > > > Taxis are so cheap .. and parking is so rare .. that I never use my > > car > > > unless I am going out of town. So no concern about having a couple > > of > > > beers and driving. > > > > > > In half the areas of Ankara and damn near all the areas in Istanbul > > > pedestrians walk in the street and dodge the cars .. cause the cars > > are > > > parked on the sidewalk. ;-p Red lights mean slow down and see if > > there > > > is a cop in the vicinity .. that is, unless your father is a big > > shot. > > > Then it means do whatever the hell you want cause you know he is > > gonna > > > get you out of it. We have traffic and pedestrian discipline in > > the US. > > > I know some of you might disagree but if you come here for a week > > you > > > will not disagree when you return to the USA. ;-) > > > > > > Here I get service when I WANT IT .. not when the service provider > > wants > > > to give it. Competition in the food business in the America > > resulted > > > in fast food prices going down in the last ten years. Too many > > folks > > > into service here means you get what you want when you want it and > > at a > > > unbelieveably low price. > > > > > > Here, when you go to a restaurant and they don't have what you want > > on > > > the menu .. the chef will send a boy out to the market to get it so > > he > > > can cook it up for you. The waiters will hover over you like you > > are > > > the only customer they've had this year .. all they want is a > > dollar or > > > maybe if they're lucky .. a $2 tip after they provide grand service > > and > > > with a smile. In the USA, if you can get the attention of the surly > > > waiter you might get served. And when you are ready to leave, if > > you > > > don't overtip the smartass s/he is likely to insult you on the way > > out. > > > > > > Here .. I'm treated as a honorable retired army officer by all who > > know > > > I am, and as an Uncle, Father, Big Brother, etc., by those younger > > than > > > I am. In the USA I'm just one more over-the-hill ex-friggin GI who > > like > > > most average folsk in the USA gets no respect but a healthy dose of > > crap > > > from most of the other folks they run into on a daily basis. > > > > > > Here .. one can go to a bar or pub for years and never see a fight > > or > > > even an arguement .. but try that for a week in the average > > American bar > > > or pub. Turks are kinder and more formal than Americans .. and > > they are > > > less sincere than Americans too. That's sorta what happens when > > formal > > > behavior or politically correct behavior is the order of the day. > > > > > > Here I can't get a BLT or ham and cheese at the local restaurant .. > > but > > > I can get a full meal for $3 or so or a lay out fit for a sultan at > > a > > > five start restaurant with drinks included for $20 a head. Can't > > go to > > > Shoney's buffet lunch but I can order ala carte from most any place > > and > > > they will deliver. Can't watch forty-eleven channels of relatively > > fine > > > TV (which most Americans take for granted) but I can go to the > > opera or > > > real theatre for $4 or $5 or so. > > > > > > Can't go out in the back yard and have a bar-be-que cause everybody > > in > > > the city cept'in for the REALLY RICH don't have a yard .. we live > > in a > > > friggin apartment. But we almost always have a nice view cause > > Ankara > > > is built on hills .. like Rome. > > > > > > Here, I can always count on friends to be there when I need them .. > > and > > > even when I don't need them. :-( I can always count on them > > demanding > > > the same in return for their friendship. That's an unfortunate > > part of > > > life here .. you make friends and its like you are committed to > > their > > > welfare and they will take advantage of that. You don't say NO to a > > > friend .. even when you'd really like to choke them for asking > > favors > > > that you really don't want to get into. The higher the position of > > the > > > friend, the more they will expect in return. I think American > > mentality > > > in this regard is light years ahead of the rest of the world. > > Maybe our > > > sincerity that causes us to appear to be disrespectful to > > others. ;-) > > > > > > There are many more positives and negatives to living here .. same > > as I > > > find when I go back to the USA. I think I have to live in both. ;- > > p > > > > > > All said and done .. there are upsides and downsides to living in > > any > > > place. I've not mentioned the other t3 reasons .. though two of > > them are > > > fantastic bread baked three times daily .. and ice-cold Efes > > Beer. ;-p > > > > > > Turkish wimmens who are beautiful (no shortage of them) generally > > have > > > money cause they marry well. They are spoiled by their husbands and > > > soon become very vain. American wimmens who are married to Turkish > > men > > > here do a much better job of keeping their husbands in check cause > > they > > > are less inclined to allow themselves to be bought off with baubles. > > > > > > Y'all come on over and you can have a nice beach house on the Med > > for > > > $20,000 .. a maid or two for peanuts .. a chauffer/butler for $250 a > > > month and a five star face lift and tummy tuck for around $2,000 > > more. > > > > > > Y'all keep smiling. ;-p Butch http://www.AV-AT.com > > > > > > > > How To Make Rose Petal Jam - Step By Step Instructions > > http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html > > > > To Un send a blank e-mail to: > - > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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