Berlin!

Day 1 –
Arrived in Berlin! First thought off the plane – oh god, I’ve really done it! I looked around the airport, at all the signs in German, at all the travelers with their European style, all the drivers in their Mercedes and Audi cars, and took a deep breath, and marched bravely onto the sidewalk.

Today’s experience – Turkish hospitality
Guenni and his father picked me up at the airport, and all day I have been treated to some true Turkish hospitality! As soon as we arrived in the Erdil household, his father went about preparing the first round of Turkish tea – delicious! Unfortunately, since neither of Guenduez’s parents speak English, our communication was limited. But I did learn that after WWII, his father immigrated to Berlin and worked in a kitchen on the British army base. He set down roots, as did the majority of immigrants who came to rebuild after the war, and Guenduez and his four siblings are the first generation to be born here.
Around noon, Guenduez’s mother arrived with Esra, his fiancé. The five of us sat down to a Turkish breakfast, okay brunch, with rolls, cheeses, eggs, salami, olives, and chili peppers, and of course, more tea. I met Esra in London, and she is an absolute sweetheart! In fact, we decided I would stay at Esra’s for the weekend, since there was more space.
So Guenduez, Esra and I drove to her apartment, where I took a much much needed nap. They invited me to join them at a Turkish wedding reception tonight! I have been hearing about Guenduez’s brother’s wedding for a while now, so I can’t wait to see one for myself! In the Turkish community, you invite EVERYONE you know to celebrate a wedding. Oz had 1,500 people at his. I can’t even imagine! Do I even know that many people?
This reception was considerably smaller – only 300 people. (only?!?) It was a bittersweet celebration, because the bride and groom’s families did not approve of the marriage, and even her father chose not to attend. The two boldly decided to wed anyway, and will be moving to Australia in two weeks in order to escape both families. The reception had two parts really. First – the dancing. The new husband and wife were announced and had the first dance to themselves, then everyone joined them for about an hour and a half. All of the music was Turkish wedding music, and most of the dancing was a slow moving chain step that rotated around the floor. All and all, not the most energetic. The second part of the evening was about the gifts. Toward the end of the dancing, close friends and family came up to the bride and tucked money into her dress. Afterwards, the bride and groom each donned a sash, and stood to receive each of their guests. One by one, starting with family, each family was announced as they wished the couple good fortune, and either pinned money onto the sash, or placed a gold bracelet onto the bride’s wrist. Guenduez explained to me that the real reason each family was announced (and videotaped) was to help the couple remember who had given in what amount, so the couple could gift in kind the next time they were invited to a wedding or a birth or other celebration. So no one ever actually wears or cashes in the gold bracelets, they are just circulated through special events in the community. Interesting. Is it wrong if I point out a similar concept applies at my mom’s annual Holiday Yankee Swap? Funny though, I told Esra about gift registries for American Weddings, and she was appalled at the idea of telling people what gifts to get you. She’s not wrong – the practice is quite presumptuous.
Finally, after the wedding, we went to visit Guenduez’s brother’s Mexican Café Bar for a drink and some chips with salsa. Oz is a sweetheart too, and we will hopefully see lots of him this quarter.
So tired, can barely spell.
Peach out,
Lauren