LIFE AND LOVES

People travel for all sorts of reason and a lot travel for love.  Someone said that men come for love but women stay for it.  It could be true.  Another foreign man has given in to his Turkish love.  I don't know why this way round it should be so shocking since so many foreign women give up great jobs, lives, family to be with some Turkish man who works in a coffee shop or carpet shop and doesn't have any real chances of a future.  The most recent acquisition to Istanbul is an American who does know what he's letting himself in for having lived for many years in Cairo but it's a little scary and daunting having to find work and a etch out a life for himself here.  Years ago, not many men left their worlds for their woman.  I recently met a Dutch man who told me he had lived in Cihangir 25 years ago and had to contend himself with the company of his wife's friend's Turkish boyfriends.  He said it would have been OK if there hadn't be so many dramas and if he had understood more than a sprinkling of the language.  He said he longed for someone of his culture, someone who could understand him and not keep misunderstanding his friendliness to his wife's girlfriends.  Today, Cihangir is a different world, indeed Turkey is.  This Dutchman would be more comfortable now and in the evenings would find a great many foreign friends, male and female, single and attached out in the bars around the place.

I heard of a Happy Marriage.  Yes I know this is already totally newsworthy.  The GM of a 5 star hotel 16 years ago hit on his boss while a trainee and told her to 'give up everything and come away with me.  One day I'll be GM and your love can help me achieve this.'  The lady, so in love, took a leap of faith and now they are exactly where he said they would be and more importantly still only have eyes for each other.  Sigh!

I overheard a lady the other night say 'I'm trying every drink to get me drunk tonight.'  Sadly that isn't so much a drink on the rocks but a  marriage.  They've been a happy couple for a long time but like so many unions, naturally one grows apart.  I hope the couple in question understand that their marriage has been successful because they have been great friends and great partners but it might be better to go their own ways so they can remain great friends and who knows, in the future one can always find each other interesting in ways again.

Did anyone think the latest on/off American/Turk combo was going to last?  Right now it's off again but no one is expecting that to be the last of it.  Do you think it's the age difference that is making this relationship so difficult?  How about family pressure?  Maybe financial differences?  Hell, no it's just called incompatibility.  They bring out the worst in each other.  Both fighting for supremacy.  Both great people without each other but lost and aimless with.  The Girl was seen on Friday night swinging her legs at Khavedan chatting to three male friends.  The Man in the story was seen entering 21 with two girls in tow (very obviously brought in for jealousy stirring).  The Girl of the story was last seen in exactly the same place with the same bunch of friends and the Man in the Story was sitting near by watching her alone.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOVED UP COUPLE

Only last week Cihangir's famous couple made it official.  Or at least officially that they were planning on making it official.  Yes, an engagement.  The venue was held in the groom-to-be's family mansion miles out of most Cihangir residents comfort zone and was stupendous.  Marble floors that led you out to the large garden dotted with waiters holding trays of champagne filled glasses.  Others walked around the 80 of so guests with tiny, dainty nibbles.  The bride-to-be, glamours in her dark floor length gown.  Laughed in her native Australian way, as she moved around her guests looking very much like a young Natalie Wood but with tits (her own, but then of course they would be since she is not a product of Turkish society).  Her two best friends (from down the road back home) were equally glamourous wearing heels so high they wouldn't have to take off to join the mile high club.  They laughed and joked in the Australian way of back slapping friendliness while matching any man drink for drink.  They certainly outshone some of the other ladies without even trying.

I spotted a couple of other women there wearing dresses so short I'm sure they were originally tops!  Not sure what statement they were trying to elicit but sadly back home, in someone's native Australia we might wonder how much they charge.  Then there was the lady who arrived badly underdressed.  For a while there I wondered if she was brought in to readjust the disco ball but then sported her hiding herself under a tree, champagne in hand wearing her jeans and t-shirt.  Someone had obviously forgotten to explain it was a formal party  I felt for her but more so for the other lady who thought frills and sequins was a cool fashion statement.  I'm not sure how others faired but there were a few moments when my heels sunk into the grass and suddenly I was shorter than everyone around me.

It was a lovely night.  Wonderful weather.  Great wine.  Amazing hospitality.  Fun people and a very happy couple.  Frankly, if that night was a taster for the wedding than I have to say that I can't wait for the big day.  Don't you dare not invite me.  I already have my frock picked!

CAT FIGHT OVER CATS

Cihangir seems to be a little cat crazy and because of this a cat fight has broken out.  Posted on the Cihangir Today e-newspaper started by a well-informed and excellent editor, is a cat fight.  Amongst the important stuff like 'what is the prime minister doing' and 'latest on Lybia' is a forum dedicated to Cihangir's cats.  With these lovely furry friends that we all have a soft spot for are also the other cats - women.  Today on the forum a cat fight broke out.  One lady attacked another for not being the caring woman/mother of cats that she professes to be.  The expat in question (and the one being attacked) is undoubtably one of Cihangir's most ardent cat carers.  She is known to have gone out of her way and pocket to safeguard the safety and health of these helpless creatures.  Everyone knows that if there is a cat in trouble you can count on this lady to find a way to help.  Thus it is surprising to have a Cihangir resident sharpen her claws and take a swipe at the said expat cat lover.  The expat cat lover sharpened her claws and took a swipe back.  Another cat lover, backed the expat cat lover and hissed a bit and also took a swipe.  Frankly I can see this sport catching on.  I certainly will be glued to the pages of this forum to see what their next move is,  although it might take place in a real arena as the Cihangir - Cool for Cat's society is holding a meeting tomorrow at 11am in White Mill.  Everyone will get a chance to give help, make suggestions, offer promises and take sides.  Looks like some fur will fly.  I don't think I want to miss that one.
PS  My money's on the expat cat lover.

PRICELESS

The would be authoress with the big nose has a traitor somewhere amidst the 535 friends she has on Facebook.  Personally I find it strange that it is only 'one'.  She's betrayed so many friendships that you'd have thought it would be more.  The below excerpt was sent to me by an annoymous donor.  In fact the entire Facebook page was sent to me but I felt it prudent not to publish 'as is' but to avail this hilarious piece of egocentricity that the would be authoress with the big nose pasted on her wall.  

Priceless, Turkish airlines staff just asked me "Are you a dancer?" Ageing suits me apparently.

Yesterday at 2:03pm via BlackBerry · Like · Comment

Of course many have been looking for the 'unlike' button to press but here facebook fails the friends that aren't really.