Around Adana

So, as our time draws to a close here in Adana, I thought it would be fun to show you dear readers some "around town" photos. This is what we see on a daily or weekly basis that makes living in Turkey fun, interesting, frustrating and enjoyable all at the same time.  These are photos from around the downtown area mostly, and near the lake in North Adana.  I would have loved to post photos from the older part of Adana, known as Old Adana, but I never remember to bring my camera or iPad when I am over there.  Just know that Old Adana sounds exactly like it's name implies...cobbled stone, narrow streets, ancient buildings and small little vendors and shops at every turn. It is very easy to get lost back there, but it is a lot of fun to explore.  If I get a chance to venture over there before we move, I will be sure to post those photos as well.  In the meantime, here is Adana as we know it day-to-day.

Enjoy!

This is the road that runs in front of the Consulate.  Those are cows grazing on the side of the road.  Sometimes it's goats. Or sheep.  Today, it's cows. 

Sorry this photo is so grainy.  This is a common scene around Adana.  That man is pulling a sack on his back to collect recycling items like bottles and cans.  On garbage day, these guys try to beat the garbage pickup, and walk around town sifting through garbage cans for anything recyclable so they can turn it in for money.  You will usually see young men anywhere from 10 to 35 years old doing this.   

Typical street scene in Adana

Adana from the roof of our building.  The haze is pretty typical during the late summer/early fall when farmers burn their fields, or in winter months when people burn coal for heat.  

This is the produce market near our home on Wednesday/Thursdays.  I tend to buy most of our produce here each week.  It's all seasonal, so once it's gone, it's gone.  Turkey has some of the best fruits and veggies I've ever tasted.  

The egg seller at the market.  I read an article recently that said the only reason Americans refrigerate eggs is because the U.S. cleaning process strips the eggs of all protective layers.  Most countries, including Turkey, don't refrigerate eggs, and in fact, it's not uncommon to see them sold outdoors in the sun.  (I am reusing this picture from the Flat Stanley project my nieces did last year)

The simit seller (another Flat Stanley pic).  These guys walk around town pushing carts of simit, the bagel-type bread you see here, and Ayran, a watered down yogurt drink.  Simit and Ayran go hand-in-hand and is probably the most popular snack.  I personally love simit, but I am not a fan of Ayran, mostly because I don't like yogurt all that much.

The large park in Adana: Merkez Parki,

This is the "Women's Market" that is set up every Wednesday in the north part of Adana, near the lake.  Women sell handmade items like knit baby clothes, crafts, jewelry, linens and other things.

You can also find food at the market. This is a vendor making and selling sikma.

Dried fruit: raisins, apricots, etc.

Olives, cheese and eggs--staple items in the Turkish diet.

The lake--this was taken from a restaurant in North Adana.  It's beautiful here, and there are tons of amazing seafood restaurants.

Zyapasa Bulvari - One of the nicest streets in Adana.  You can find high-end boutique shops here, as well as coffee shops like Starbuck's and Caribou Coffee, and nice restaurants.  

Zyapasa Blv.

Sephora on Zyapasa

Mmmm...Tantuni restaurant in our neighborhood.

Kunefe shop.  I had never tried kunefe until I moved here, but now I am obsessed.  I love it.  For those who don't know what kunefe is, you can read about it here.

Train Station (Central Station) in Adana.  This is where a lot of protests happened during the Gezi Park demonstrations last year.  

Ataturk Park on Ataturk Street, near Zyapasa.  This is a smaller park that's nice for walking around. Another location popular for protests.  

Inside one of the many carpets stores here.  Great prices for both handmade and machine made carpets.

And finally, I leave you with the most elegant street cat in all of Turkey.
There are tons of stray cats here, but even more stray dogs.