Q & A on Turkey

How long will you be living in Turkey?

We will be in turkey for at least two years. At the end of two years, we can decide to stay in Turkey for another two years or we can go to another base for two years. JB owes a total of four years so we will either spend all four of them in Turkey or just half of them in Turkey. As of right now, that decision will be our's to make. Because Turkey is considered a "hardship" location; we have been told that we will be in good graces when requesting our next base.

Why was it your first choice?

Back in the fall of last year, John and I started talking about our "dream sheet." This is a list of the 20 bases you would like to be stationed at post-residency. All the military residents across the country fill one out. Our friends, Tristan and Shannon, had been in Turkey for two years. In addition, another resident, Nick and his wife Kristy, had gone there after Tristan and would be there another year. We had heard good things about the Base including the fact that you could do a lot of travelling and that the hours were good. Because there is no hospital, you are doing only outpatient work which has better hours. Ultimately, however, there was one major reason why we ranked Turkey #1. They do not deploy their physicians. This could always change, but as it stands right now, JB will be one of three family medicine physicians on the Base. He will not deploy during the 2-4 years we are there. When we finally came down to it we decided: "Let's choose our little family over our big family." In other words, no, we won't see family or friends as much, but he'll be with us. We were basically told that any other Base would deploy him within the first 12 months for 7 months. John volunteered for the spot way-back in the fall and we were told that he was the first person to express interest and that our chances were very high to get Turkey. Ranking Turkey allowed us to put our future into our own hands, as much as you can in the military.

What are you looking forward to seeing or doing while there?

Honestly? Everything! We really wanted to go overseas but the "cool" Bases (like those in Europe) are next to impossible to get. We'd love to go to Israel, Greece, and see as many places as we possibly can. I especially want to see those places (like Ephesus) that were places our Lord and Savior spent time.

You have so many visitors during the year. (I am so jealous) Family, friends. Etc. How will your entire family including "B" and Joan feel about you guys being so far away. Especially since you have the best and most loving relationship with them. Will everyone visit? Can they visit?

It is my hope that we will still have visitors. While there may not be as many, we do figure they will stay longer when they do come. We hope that all of our parents and Isaac's birth family will make the trip as often as they are physically and financially able to. We recognized that when we asked to go to Turkey, there was a chance we wouldn't see our loved ones as much as we do now. However, that was a sacrifice we were willing to make to have JB with us.

Do you plan to learn the Turkish language?

Yes! We are ordering Rosetta Stone as we speak. We have heard that the language is quite difficult, but we hope to get as fluent in it as possible. They also have some classes you can take in the language on Base. We are also hoping that our Turkish housekeeper will help create two bilingual children!

I don't have to ask if John plans to learn to cook their food :)

You are right! We cannot wait to explore the food in Turkey. Our friend Kristy, who is there now, says that her housekeeper cooks a Turkish meal for them once a week. We are so into that! We look forward to visiting markets and restaurants and exploring the food and culture wholeheartedly.

What's the ethnic/religious makeup of the Turkish people near where you'll be stationed? I know it's pretty cosmopolitan and secular in parts of Istanbul - is it the same near the base? Would it be safe for you to travel off base since you wouldn't be wearing a head covering?

In our welcome packet, it says: "Turkey is not the United States. While this statement seems a bit obvious, it serves as a reminder of certain cultural sensitivities. Almost every book about Turkey describes it as either the cradle of civilization or the bridge between the east and west. Unlike many clichés, these two are not overused ... In November 1923, the republic of Turkey declared its independence and named Ataturk its first president. During the 15 years of his presidency, Ataturk carried out great cultural and political reform. He changed the written language from Arabic to the Latin alphabet used by countries in the western world. He also initiated changes in the legal and education systems. He is responsible for raising the social position of women and encouraging the acceptance of western dress. In essence, Ataturk made Turkey what it is today -- a unique mix of old and new, where east meets west."

Believe it or not, it is prohibited to wear religious dress in public in Turkey. "Most Turks are Muslims, but Turkish society is modern and predominantly secular, so European dress styles prevail. For your holiday in Turkey, dress the same as you would to visit France, Germany, Italy or the UK. Many observant Turkish Muslim women (perhaps 30% of the female population) dress in tesettür, a headscarf and light cover-all topcoat, when going out in public. This satisfies the Islamic admonition to modest dress without infringing Turkish law which prohibits religious dress in public places. You may see women in burka (full-body covering, with veil), but they will most likely be visitors from other countries with a stricter interpretation of Islamic dress traditions. Actually, the veil is outlawed in Turkey (but the law is little enforced), and even the wearing of head scarves in secular contexts (universities, government offices, etc.) is controversial."

How long is the travel to get there?

I am not positive on the exact numbers, but as of right now we are planning on flying out of Baltimore, Maryland to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. I think this is in the neighborhood of 7 hours or so. Then it would be another 7 hours or so from there to Incirlik Air Force Base.

Do they provide for you to come back to the states at all regularly?

The military will pay for us to get to Incirlik. And they will pay for us to come home when our tour is up. However, JB will have vacation time each year, and we plan to come home at least one time a year. This, however, would be at our own expense.

What is the schooling like for the kids when they start school?

There is a childcare center on Base which I believe is for children 0-4. There are then schools on Base for kids 5 and older. I have heard that the school is dependent upon the teachers that are there at the time. It is difficult to find quality teachers since, well, it's Turkey! Even if we are there for four full years, our boys would be just kindergarten age at that point, and we would most likely home school for that one year.

What will you do when you are done in Turkey?

We are not sure, right now, if we will stay there for two years or for four. However, our current plan, after military payback is done, is to buy some land. We'd like to have a small hobby farm and adopt older children or those who need homes. We will have to see, however, where the Lord takes this dream. Most likely we would buy this land in the Pacific Northwest or the Tennessee/North Carolina area.

How is the family safety for little kids there?

Our friends that live there do much travelling away from Base with no problems. I've heard that the biggest problem they encounter is extreme loving obsession with their blue-eyed children. Many people actually frequent Turkey as a vacation spot. However, like any foreign country, care needs to be put forth regarding safety. The Base itself, is EXTREMELY safe. I also think it is important for Americans to understand that while there are radicals, the majority of people in the Middle East are peaceful people. It would be like people in another country judging us on the people who blow up abortion clinics. We all do not ascribe to this, and it would be a shame to judge us accordingly.

Does it make you nervous to live in another country?

I think there is some part of me that is a little unsure of the unknown. If we weren't going to an Air Force base and living amidst all kinds of people in the same situation as we were, I think it would be even more intimidating. But the truth is, we are looking forward to an adventure. We are looking forward to experiencing another culture, another people. We are looking forward to travelling, shopping, and eating in a place like nothing we have ever participated in. How many people can say they lived in Turkey? While nervous and overwhelmed with the difficulties and prospects of moving overseas, I am thrilled to get the opportunity and to have John working better hours and not deploying.

How often do you plan to come back to visit your family?

Once a year at least.

Are you going to do another call for recipes for Turkish dishes?

I don't think I'll be doing much cooking. With a housekeeper and a husband working much better hours, the idea is, I won't need to.

How much time will JB get off and will it allow you to travel in Europe/the Middle East?

JB will be on call every fourth day. This call is taken from home and still allows us to do local travelling. However, otherwise, we should have most weekends free. I believe, in total, we get four weeks of leave time which would include our visit to the States. Here are just a few photos I snagged from Shannon's Facebook page featuring some of the places they have visited.

This is Shannon (left) with Kristy. While Shannon is moving back to the States the same month we move in, Kristy and her family will be there at least another year.

How is the housing in Turkey?

There is the old, bad, small housing. And then there is the brand new, huge, fantastic housing. We found out that we qualify for the latter! Unless something changes, we will be living in a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home, with over 4000 square feet of living space. My friend Shannon lives in one now and she was nice enough to send me some photos. Here are just a few:

Where is Turkey located?

This map should help. Take a look. Adana, the city nearest Incirlik Air Force Base is on the very left side of Syria. It basically borders the water and Syria.

Will Scrubs go with you?

Absolutely! We will be driving to Baltimore, Maryland and all taking a military flight out together. There are not many restrictions on dogs in Turkey. It will cost us around $100 to fly him out. How great is that? Scrubs does not need to be quarantined at all. This is actually a misconception regarding taking pets overseas. While some of the countries in Asia require a quarantine, most countries now-a-days, do not require your pet to be quarantined as long as you get the correct paperwork and shots before you leave the U.S. We will cut off Scrubs' food about 24-hours before we leave and only put in a frozen hamster water container with him so that he can get liquid but not too much. We think that he can get out when we stop in Germany, but we aren't sure yet. We may give him a little something to take the edge off, but we think he'll be fine.

If you have other questions, please let me know. I'd be happy to add to this post!

*** (additional questions after posting) ***

I'm curious to know about Christian churches in Turkey, especially close to where you live. Do you think it will be possible for you to find a church where you will feel at Home?

There is a Chapel on the Base and a catholic church on Base. I have heard good things about the Chapel. But I have heard that it can depend on who the Chaplain is at the time. Yesterday, while buying a kennel from a gal off Craig's List, she mentioned that they found a good church off-Base. I doubt there are many, and quite honestly, we are excited to fellowship with "all the Christians" who live on our Base. In some ways, it is nice not to have the option to be picky.

Is having a housekeeper standard in Turkey or just on the base? Is it an option to have one - could you opt out if you wanted to?

From what I understand, having a housekeeper and a gardener, is, actually optional. However, it is strongly encouraged and is sort of a "tradition" on Base as it helps the local economy. This is a Turkish Air Force Base that gives us land, so we want to help the local economy as much as we can. I don't think anyone would tell us we had to but at the same time, they hope that you do.

You mentioned adopting older children in a few years. Do you plan to do any more fertility treatments?

Yes. We have 7 embryos that we will most definitely, totally, and completely go back for at Mayo Clinic. We are still praying about when to do that. If we had more biological children, our adoption plans might get adjusted somewhat, but either way, we are hoping to add to our family through adoption again if the Lord allows. We both have a heart for older children, especially sibling groups, and we think a small farm would be a fantastic place to raise children.

What is the weather like?

According to my friend Shannon: "The weather is almost identical to Florida weather. The summers feel hotter, but I think it's just because we're pretty much in the Middle East, and just saying Middle East makes you feel hot. In the winter, if you drive North just an hour, you're in the mountains, so there's snow and lots of cold up there, but here in Adana, the winters are fairly mild."