Berkay has been in the army for 6 weeks today and although he hasn’t gone quickly, seeing the marbles in my ‘days down’ jar increasing everyday is quite reassuring and a good reminder that time is actually passing!
So far, Berkay’s not been having too bad of a time. We’ve spoken every single day over the phone, and had skype sessions on his day off for the past 3 weekends, although he’s not allowed out this weekend because there’s a chance of trouble due to a Kurdish holiday… I’m so relieved we’ve had contact everyday, even if it is mainly just a 2 minute phonecall. The fact it’s such a limited time we get to speak means it’s hard to say everything I want to, we used to live together, know what each other were doing all the time, and now suddenly we don’t really know anything about each other, living two totally separate, vastly different lives.
Aside from that, it’s been going ok. Berkay tries his best to help me understand army life, he tells me things they’ve been doing, once last week they all played paintball to practice shooting terrorists and his team won. That’s a good sign, right? They also go to the cinema in the base quite a lot to watch army practice videos and to regular lessons. It all seems quite organised.
The main worry for me since even before he joined the army, was where he would be placed – he’s in Izmir at the moment for training, but once that’s finished he’ll be moving someone else… Well, finally last week he called me and sounded very excited – “guess where I’m going after Izmir?” He said…. “not the bad place! Kayseri!”. Kayseri is a big city right in the centre of Turkey, on a map it’s literally the exact centre point. It’s a long way from Fethiye – around 12 hours on the bus, so this gives you an idea of just how big the country is – its takes well over 24 hours of non-stop driving from one side to the other. We were both very relieved when he learnt he’d be sent there – it’s supposed to be a lovely place, and there was a real possibility that he could have been sent to the Syrian border, in fact he said 60% of the 400+ people he’s with in Izmir are being sent there, something we obviously didn’t want, so he is really very lucky.
We’ve also been waiting to find out the date he’ll be transferring bases and can take some leave – he asked for 10 days and it starts on 3rd April, so as soon as he rang me and told me that, I booked my flights out there. I was deliberating whether or not to go, but I think my mind was made up all along – although he’s only been in the army for 6 weeks, I’ve not seen him for 13 weeks and it will be 15 before the time I do, so I think it’s a necessary trip to break up the time a bit. I’m out there for 7 days from 4th April, which means flights were very expensive because it’s Easter, and the school holidays – in fact they were so expensive that I couldn’t even justify paying the extra £50 (rip off..) for baggage, so all I have is 5kg worth of hand luggage to stuff my clothes in – a scary thought! It won’t be a relaxing holiday – we probably won’t stay in a hotel as it’s too expensive and Berkay wants to visit his family in their village for a few days too, and of course lots of walkies and cuddles with Boncuk while we’re in Fethiye! It’s my birthday the day before I fly back so it will be nice to celebrate that there too, I’ve never been in Turkey for my birthday!
At least I have something to look forward to, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that Berkay’s leave dates don’t change at all. For now, I’ll keep counting down the days, sticking those marbles in a jar and keeping busy – I have a job interview tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed for me please!
15 days to go 😉
livingtheturkishdream.com 
That’s great news hopefully you can spend sometime together….love your posts keep them coming and enjoy your time together xx
Thanks Lynne 🙂 x
Love reading your story. Enjoy your time with Berkay
Thansk Marie, will do! x
Thinking of you both and hoping you have a wonderful time together during Berkays leave.
Thank you Lynda x
Great news Danni,that visit to Berkay will lift both your spirits. Good luck with your interview as well
Love to you both,
Morgan x x
THanks Morgan, it went ok 🙂 xx
Ah it’s great that you’ll be able to meet Danni and good to hear that Berkay has a safe posting. Our friends son joined the same day as Berkay and has been posted to Van which is not so safe. Enjoy your short time together xx
Thanks Chris, I remember the big earthquake in Van a few years ago 😦 x
Fingers crossed and good luck for your interview xx
Thanks Nicky!
Good luck for your interview and have fun in Turkey 🙂
Thanks it went ok I think! Ta x
Kayseri is a lovely place, its an hour drive from my husbands village. Love visiting there and Nevsehir 🙂 such a shame you don’t have longer Danni as Kappadokya is very close to Kayseri. Stay strong and good luck with your interview xx
Lots of people are saying its lovely so that’s good! I’ll just be going to Fethiye this time but hopefully during his next break I’ll be able to go and visit him there and maybe Cappadocia:) x
Good luck xx
THanks Sophie! x
Kayseri is a great place! Im glad he’s going to be safe (inshallah). Do you think you will be moving to Turkey permanently at some point? That’s my plan, and inshallah it’ll be soon! I MISS TURKEY SO MUCH!!!
(btw feel free to check out my blog wheninturkey.wordpress.com if you’d like to read about my own adventures with being involved with a Turk lol!)
btw- do you speak turkish?
Hello, sorry havent had a chance to reply! I know a little turkish, can understand a lot but can’t speak any, no confidence lol you? I will check out your blog… yes i think i’ll end up living there again x
I’m learning turkish, but like you I can listen better than speak. Reading is the easiest though, in my opinion… but I don’t get enough listening/speaking practice since Im in the US now… Do you have any experience with long term visas for Turkey? Im going to apply soon and I am wondering what to expect, if you know…
Practicing is the only way to learn I guess, I wish I could understand/speak it fluently, that would be amazing! At the moment im just practicing words through apps on my iPad lol. I had a couple of residency visas but they change the rules often and Im not sure on the rules if you’re American (just guessing lol) Its not too difficult though x
Thanks Danni, I appreciate the vote of confidence ❤ I would suggest a turkish course book- my hubby bought me one when we were in Izmir four/five years ago… It was 50TL but I am learning A LOT and I am pretty conversant at, like, an elementary level hehe but its better than nothing (the grammar sections are the really important ones- the book I have is called Easy Turkish Course- Ingilizler icin kolay trukce by FONO. It's a little outdated but the turkish is good). Good luck ❤
Thanks ill have a look for that online see if i can find it! Its the grammar I struggle with x
good luck! Iyi sanslar ❤
and obviously by trukce I meant turkce…>.<