I have been away from home for six months now… hopping from one study abroad program to another. So you can perhaps imagine my relief when, after preparing myself for another month of the tiring “Unknown,” I arrive in Turkey to find a warm welcome and excitement for the work laid out before us.
Don’t get me wrong, there is still plenty unknown to me here and the work is exhausting – but it isn’t daunting. It’s inviting and challenging. And even though the first week has fulfilled my expectation of a lot of dirt and sweat, my preconceptions were by no means representative (or even true) of my first six days here in Turkey. I arrived at the dig house late Sunday evening and entered a small room to find six new faces, one American and the rest Turkish – my sweet roommates! All was new, and still is, but I now realize how wonderfully new Turkey is to me and the privilege I have to learn more about the country, the language, and those who live here.
I quickly learned how to say thank you (teşekkür ederim), especially when served delicious (lezzetli) Turkish food. If you don’t know what fresh tomatoes and pilaf taste like, you’re missing out! I’m also now addicted to Turkish tea, which is served four times a day, very strong and boiling hot – and it’s surprisingly refreshing after a morning of work in 95℉ heat. And Turkish snacks… don’t get me started. Doritos and Cheez-its don’t hold a candle to the selection available at the local gas station.
Besides the food, which I could talk about for days, the Turkish archaeology students are so kind and welcoming, despite the language barrier. They come from all over the country, not just Antalya (Turkey is much bigger than I thought). And they’ll tell you that their English isn’t any good – but don’t believe them! The first few days here saw a bit of shyness between the two nationalities. But, last night almost half the dig house showed up at a local cafe together, chatting, singing, playing the guitar. On our day off this afternoon, many of us went and enjoyed the beach after lunch!
The actual archaeological part of things is very rewarding, especially after several days of clearing loose rocks, weeds, roots and dead grass. We’re now finding pottery and intact walls while learning to properly label bags and take elevation measurements. I so look forward to the following three weeks here, enjoying the food, the landscape, and the dig site. I know already I will be sad to leave.