Current Events: Turkey

Update on American Embassy attack: The bomber at the US Embassy in Ankara was confirmed to be Alisan Sanli, an identified terrorist who had previously attacked two government facilities in Istanbul in the 1990s. He was imprisoned following these attacks, but was later released, at which time, he fled to Germany. Sanli returned to Turkey just days before the attack by illegally sneaking across the border on a boat from Greece. (February 2, 2013)

American tourist murdered near Istanbul. Sarai Sierra traveled to Istanbul alone to pursue the opportunity to capture once in a lifetime photos, a passion of hers. It was her first time overseas and although she stayed in contact with her family in New York City daily, they lost communication after two weeks on January 20th. Her husband then arrived in Turkey on January 28th to inquire about her disappearance, and discovered her body five days later with stab wounds and head trauma. There are still no leads on the investigation. Some of her pictures can be found on her Instagram: Sarai Sierra. (February 7, 2013)

Two exhibitions opened in Istanbul. Last week, two galleries have opened new sections that showcase the political violence in Turkey’s history. On display are many old newspapers, photographs, and stories of street fighting and demonstrations that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. This is somewhat controversial, as many citizens feel that it parallels current opposition forces in Turkey now. (February 8, 2013)

Cooperative meeting between Greece and Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, and Greek Foreign Minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos recently met on February 15th to sign several agreements benefiting both countries. This should  increase cooperation of both countries, helping Turkey with its potential EU bid, as well as Greece with the financial crisis. It is also intended to serve as a model of peaceful relations for other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean states. (February 16, 2013)

New source of potential conflict between Turkey and Syria. Rebel forces have taken control of Syria’s largest Hydroelectric dam, the Tabqa Dam along Lake Assad. In the past, attacks along the Syrian border, including a minivan explosion and shots from a mortar shell, have killed and injured many Turkish citizens, prompting the Turkish government to threaten retaliation. The development over this dam further increases the sense of instability along the border as well as tensions between Turkey and Assad. (February 11, 2013)

Sources:

New York Times

Hurriyet Daily News, Istanbul

Week 3 Lesson for Greek

Γεια σας,  (Hello, ya-sas)

Καλημέρα - good morning = kalimera 

Τι κάνετε - How are you? = Te-Kanete

καλα - Good = kala

και σας - And you? = K-sas

I hope all is well, and you guys are practicing your conversational skills. This week we got a book that Heidi gave us that has our itinerary and all the information that is needed for our trip. Thanks Heidi! They look great! 

The first couple of pages are the day to day schedule of where we will be. Also it has all of our topics for the papers we are to be writing so hopefully you are writing those. Next are the hotels we will be staying at (A copy for the parents might be a good idea) and the EMERGENCY number for Heidi when were over there and our Flight information.

Since writing out all the words would be very long, here are some YouTube Videos that go over the majority of the words we learned this week. 

A Conversation of Name and How are you: (Corny but helps)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m24bdMkntk0&list=PLC9EC6E390B4B22E5

 

A Basic Video for Dining words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KczLykw25as

A Basic Video for Shopping words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLZGArGyYfw

A Basic Video that recaps some of the words as well as introduces Numbers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYu4Mf6FVIk

A Basic Video for Questions and Directions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjbSRC93aTg

Something to Look Forward to next Weds. We are learning numbers! Start practicing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Y3Q2tgRBs

Turkish Lesson:

Turkish Lesson: 

Some words in Turkish that would be good to know.

Also there are many more on YouTube, these are just to help you.

A lesson on Numbers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsd9lk6qPQU

A lesson on Basic Greetings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb3DO1jNoMk

A lesson on Basic Conversation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs_9TfWhpww

Current Events: Greece

Opposition leader gains public support and international standing. Alexis Tsipras, in his recent travels to the US and Germany, has gained momentum as a rising, credible leader in the Greek community. These trips, where he met with such organizations as the IMF, are inspired by the recent sanctions the government is required to place on the Greek people after accepting bailout packages from other European states. Tsipras maintains the view that the financial crisis is the fault of Greece’s former government; thus, the people of Greece should not be unjustly held accountable with these recent austerity measures. (January 25, 2013)

Rise in cost of heating oil. The Greek government has recently raised the tax on heating oil by 450% in an attempt to generate higher tax revenue. Because of this spike and the rate of unemployment (a record 27%), many people can no longer afford the cost of heating. This has increased the reliance on wood as a source of heating, placing higher strains on the environment. (February 3, 2013)

Transportation workers on strike. Following new sanctions by the government that imposed pay cuts on public transportation officials, many workers in bus stations and subways systems have gone on strike. Even after a court order and threats of prosecution, workers remain on strike for longer than a week now. (January 28, 2013)

Source: New York Times

Week Two of Learning! (Conversational)

Γεια σας,  (Hello, ya-sas)

Just a reminder when seeing each other around campus try out some of the words you know, like hello and how are you? That way you feel comfortable using the language.

Review!
kalimera = good morning - καλημέρα. Used both when coming to and going away from a place.

kalispera = good afternoon - καλησπέρα. Used only when coming to a place or meeting someone in the evening or at night.

kalinihta = good night - καληνύχτα. Used only as a goodbye greeting in the evening or at night.

This week's Lesson:
We watched a Greek 101 Common words and Phrases - Level 1 on youtube, I have attached the link.  Please watch this a couple of times to get some of the words down. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-hZ5zRBjPo

The important ones from the video:

Τι κάνετε - How are you? Te-Kanete

καλα, Good, kala

ναί - Yes, ne (A slight head nod)

όχι - No, O-He (A look up with the eyes)

τι - What, Tee (Hand gesture with thumb and pointer out, and a turn of the wrist)

ευχαριστώ - Thank You, efharisto

παρακαλώ - Please, your welcome, Parakalow

Δεν καταλαβαίνω - I don't understand, den katalaveno

 Θα ήθελα - I would like.. Tha-Ethela

περίπτερο - Kiosk - Pereptero

νερό- Water, nerho

FANTA -Oranageade 

λεμονάδα -Lemonade, Lemonada

σόδα -Soda

Παγωτό - Icecream, Pago̱tó

γυρο - Gyro - Herho

χοιρινό - Pork, Hereno

κοτόπουλο - Chicken, kotópoulo

απ Όλα - Everything on  it  (Tomato, cucumber sause, Onions, Potatos)

χωρίς- With out, cho̱res

Μιλάτε αγγλικά - Do you speak English, milas anglika?

πώς λέτε .. How do you say ... in Greek? pos les ... sta elinika?
 
EXTRA:

Here is a good site that allows you to hear the different conversational phrases.

http://www.takisnet.org/Greek/

This has the ones from the video, and more so that site is helpful.

Bombing on US Embassy in Turkey

Yes, many people have already heard about this situation that developed yesterday afternoon in Turkey. However, in case you do not know the situation, here is a link to the article in the New York Times that details the event:
New York Times - Bombing on US Embassy in Turkey

I would just like to reiterate a few points that Heidi already made, because there is no reason to panic yet.

1. Our trip is still 75 days away. We are not leaving tomorrow.
2. Security measures are being increased around many Middle Eastern countries. The United States (and also United Kingdom) have made many advisories in the past few weeks to lessen involvement in more dangerous places.
3. The United States and Turkey have generally positive relations. This one suicide bomber, not an organized attack from a group. Future potential threats are still low.
4. The attack was relatively small. Other than the bomber himself, there was only one casualty, a security guard.  
5. We are on a private tour. - people who know the current situation in Turkey. Not only will they avoid threatening areas, but if any danger arises, they will likely be able to work out differences without the cultural barriers we would encounter, such as language.

There is no reason to worry just yet!!! It will be a fun trip!