So, we have lived on the 14^th floor for one whole week.  The cats have stopped jumping at the noise of the horns from the street far below, and the call to prayer is no longer rousing me from sleep at sunrise.  We are Izmir residents; and my passport is currently with the government getting it’s permit to prove it.

As I’ve strolled through the city, getting to know my temporary new neighbourhood and attempting to settle in, a few things have struck me about Turkey that I’d like to share.

1. There is no such thing as an illegal driving manoeuvre or turn
2. Footpaths are for pedestrians; but they are also for mopeds travelling in any direction
3. Any road sign is merely ‘advice’
4. You can ignore the ‘no right turn’ sign and cross a 5 way junction the wrong way in front of the police and they don’t utter a peep.
5. At the same junction, even though you have realised your mistake and are stranded in the middle of the road, the oncoming traffic will not stop for you.  If you are lucky they will swerve to avoid you.
6. Turks drive slower than Belgians.
7. Doner Kebab shops do not sell falafel.
8. No one sells falafel.
9. A Grande Americano in Starbucks costs £1.50
10. Low Fat products do not exist in supermarkets.
11. Public transport is clean, efficient and cheap.
12. Vehicles travel in any direction on a carriageway if they can get to their turning quicker.
13. Red traffic lights are merely ‘advice’.
14. It rains.
15. There are stray dogs, but less dog poop on the streets than in an average town in the Netherlands.
16. People smoke and eat at the same time.
17. Zebra crossings are purely decorative and serve no purpose.
18. Bin liners have pictures of strawberries on them.
19. Menus don’t always display prices.  This is normal and not a trick.
20. This is the 5^th country I’ve lived in and I’ve never come across people more willing to help, smile and chat.

I think I’m going to like it here.