Статьи из моей колонки в газете «Mahmutlar News»

Continuing the subject of Turkish services, I think, that I have to write about Turkish hairdressing saloons, because their service is a little bit different from the Russian ones and I guess, European ones, too. Читать дальше →

I don’t know anything about the services quality in Europe, I just can compare the Turkish services’ quality with the Russian ones. Читать дальше →

It’s been almost 8 year since I moved to Turkey, but there are still many things to learn about it. And, as it seems that I know Alanya very well, I still keep on finding something new in here. Читать дальше →

Many foreigners, who live here permanently, often complain that there are no activities in wintertime, and that they are tired of the permanent vacation. Читать дальше →

Marking my 8th year in Turkey several months ago, I recalled my first steps in here, remembering the things I missed. That time I felt like I was in an informational vacuum, but very strange one: I knew what is going on in the world, by was unable to learn or understand what is... Читать дальше →

As you know, the longer you live in one place, the less you notice its beauty and the more you make up with its disadvantages. Читать дальше →

Yesterday, walking in Alanya with my friend, who is going home this week and was making her final shopping, we were passing by a spice store (“baharatçı”). I said that this must be one of the greatest spice stores in Alanya and you could find more than just spices and dried... Читать дальше →

Last week I went to Antalya to see my friend. I haven’t been to Antalya for about three months. Every time I come there, I feel like a “Jamaican in New York”. Compared to Mahmutlar and Alanya, the traffic there is too busy, the streets are too crowded, the distances are t... Читать дальше →

Every tourist returns from holiday with plenty of new impressions, photographs and a suitcase full of souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. Читать дальше →

While many people come to Turkey for a holiday, a lot of them have already returned to their home countries with a gorgeous tan (or peeling off skin), bunch of souvenirs and new experiences (positive or not). Читать дальше →

Last Sunday I finally had a chance to visit “Sosyete pazarı” (“High-end flea market”) — a market, opened this year behind Alanyum shopping center. I’ve heard about it before, but never had time to go there and look around properly. Читать дальше →

When the first tourists came to Alanya in early 70s, nobody knew any foreign word in here. That time, Alanya has become a small province of Germany. People, who worked in tourism and knew a couple of German words, were almost worshiped and wanted everywhere. Читать дальше →

Walking in Mahmutlar on art alley where local craftsmen sell their hand-made stuff, I stumbled upon a stand, which stood out from the others by its unusual exhibits. Читать дальше →

Last week my father came from Russia for a one-week holiday, and I was excited to show him the best of Alanya. Читать дальше →

The summer season is officially open, and more and more tourists come to Alanya every day. I like to walk in Mahmutlar and Alanya, imagining that I came here for the first time and see Alanya and Mahmutlar the way tourists see. Читать дальше →

Lately I marked seven years since I came to Alanya first time, decided to move here and change my life completely. Seven years is a pretty long term, and that made me think about my life in Turkey, where I was and where I am now. Читать дальше →

Last Sunday one of Alanya’s bars has organized a concert of Hayko Cepkin – an acknowledged Turkish rock musician, a songwriter and a keyboard player, who studied under Timur Selçuk, one of the best piano players and composers of Turkey. Читать дальше →

Talking about Formula One Turkish Grand Prix held last week, my husband has drawn my attention to the fact that no car, participating in the race, will have any tobacco brand logo on it Читать дальше →

Every region of Turkey has its own way of celebrating the same holiday, especially if it’s a traditional festival. Every village celebrates the engagements and weddings different way. The same thing can be said about Hıdırellez, a holiday that is celebrated in many regions of... Читать дальше →

Last weekend was full of events, since many of us have celebrated International Children’s Day and Easter. Читать дальше →

April 23 is a special day for Turkey. In 1920 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has announced this day as “Children’s Day” to mark the opening of the Assembly. Ataturk has brought many innovations to Turkey, and he believed that children is a future of a new nation. Читать дальше →

Summer season picks up its pace, offering us more and more entertainments every week. It’s nice to see the restaurants and shops opening all over Alanya and Mahmutlar, coloring up the city, as if the tree opens its flowers. Читать дальше →

An old Chinese proverb states: “Heaven forbid you from living in the time of changes”. Читать дальше →

Isn’t it ironic that this year’s first issue comes out on April 1, on April Fools’ Day? Читать дальше →

Many people think that when the “official” summer season in Alanya is over there is nothing to do here. Читать дальше →

One friend of mine, who has had relationships with a Turk for a while, once dropped a phrase like: “I’ve decided that I don’t want to be his second wife!” Читать дальше →

Many people abroad still regard Turkey as an agricultural and tourism country, but there is more then just welcoming the tourists and selling vegetables in Turkey. Читать дальше →

Last week was pretty rich with events. First, holy month Ramadan has finished and Ramadan Holidays have come. Ramazan Bayramı, or Şeker Bayramı («Holiday of Sweets»), how people like to call it, is one of the most favorite holidays of Turks. Читать дальше →