Category Archives: Adana

Adana Adventures – A New Vision

Posted on January 21, 2012 by | Leave a comment

What is Adana Adventures?

Adana Pictuer - mosque, bridge, river, hiltonThanks for visiting the new and improved AdanaAdventures.com.  I want to take a minute to introduce AdanaAdventures.com and let my long time readers know about some changes.

For those of you who have been following along with my blogging since back in 2006 when I first got started with ForeignPerspective.wordpress.com, thanks so much for sticking with me through my start-again-stop-again blogging.  It’s amazing how technology has allowed us to keep connections fresh.

If you have followed A Foreign Perspecitve, you’ll will notice some changes over the next few months to the blog.  These are reflected in the name and domain change.  When I first started blogging back in 2006, my intent was to keep in touch with people back home, and to share my “foreign perspective.” This led to a website pretty much focused on me, my thoughts and my experiences.

Although there was nothing wrong with that; I’m approaching this website with a new vision; which is to build a collection of enduring content about Adana that will be useful to visitors not only now, but also years down the road.  My actual goal is “To become the #1 source for information about Adana in the English language.” My tagline is “Helping you to make the most of your time in Adana” and I sincerely hope that Adana Adventures will succeed in that vision.

I’ve lived in Adana since 2003.  I’ve realized that my best times here have been those times that I’ve been out exploring, experiencing the culture, and helping others to do so.  My low points have been those periods where I’ve been mainly stuck in the house in front of my computer, interacting with few people outside our family. Hopefully by re-launching the website, I’ll be able to get out more and explore and I’ll also be able to spend more time showing people this nice little city that’s been my home for so long.

Thanks for coming along for the journey,

 

Jake Olson

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Adana Oktoberfest – A Recap

Posted on October 16, 2011 by | 4 Comments

We had a wonderful time last night at the Adana Oktoberfest.  Me, Rana and the kids went out to the event hosted by the German/Turkish Partnership Society and were really entertained by the event.

They had converted the outdoor seating area at Aqualand Tennis Club into a German beer garden where there was traditional Bavarian food, dress, music and (Turkish) Beer.   I especially enjoyed the Sauerkraut that went with the sausages being served it was delicious and I hope to be making it someday soon.   They even were serving fresh Berliner pastries.

Adana Oktoberfest was an all-around great night.  Our only regret was that we were on our children’s schedule, so we had to depart early because of the kids’ sleep schedules.  Here are some pictures from the event.

For more info on the Turkish German Cultural Partnership Organization, check out their website here. Would you believe that their Adana branch has over 100 members?  Enjoy the pictures below.

Traditionally Dressed Bavarian Women of Adana

Traditionally Dressed Bavarian Women of Adana

Beer Garden

Beer Garden

 

German Food in Adana

German Food in Adana

 

Berliner in Adana

Berliner in Adana

 

Bavarian Band in Adana

Bavarian Band in Adana

 

 

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Posted in Adana, Adana Events, beer

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Oktoberfest in Adana!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by | 4 Comments

Adana Events: Oktoberfest in Adana

I’ve wanted to get back to blogging for quite some time and a recent email from a friend was just the prompting I needed to get moving again.

Our friend Romy, (Rana’s Calanetics instructor from Pure Body Adana,) is an Austrian woman who is involved in the Turkish/German Cultural Partnership (TAKID).  She asked me if I’d be willing to write about the Oktoberfest celebration that their organization will be putting on this weekend.

As a family, we’re very excited for this special event because I think it’s a great opportunity to experience the food, music and beverages of another culture without actually leaving Adana.

The event takes place at Aqualand (the waterpark just north of Optimum Outlet Mall) on Saturday October 15th starting at 6:00 PM.  The cost, is 10 Turkish Lira and Bavarian Oettinger beer will be sold for 5 TL for .5 LT and German foods are for sale as well. Entrance for children is free.   There will also be music from an authentic Bavarian folk band.  If you see me there, please and say hi.  I hope to meet some new friends there this weekend.

For more information click the flier below, this will take you to TAKID’s official website. I look forward to seeing some of you there!

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Posted in Adana, Adana Events, Adana Food guide, beer

Working in Turkey as a Foreigner

Posted on June 10, 2011 by | 7 Comments

I received a great question from a reader a couple weeks ago, and thought it’d be good to answer it here.  I hope my answer isn’t too discouraging.

I was just wondering if you think Adana Turkey is a good place for an American to move for employment. Are there many opportunities for Americans or otherwise English speakers? Whether it be for employment or partnerships? I used to live on Incirlik Air Base. I miss Turkey a great deal and would love to have a business in or with Adana, Turkey. That way I can go visit often but have a purpose as well. Anyways, thanks for your time and opinion. :-) LLT

Dear LLT,

Thanks so much for reading A Foreign Perspective, and thanks for your great question.  You ask a question that you’ll have a hard time getting a straight answer for.  The reason is that many folks who have relocated to Adana really struggle to find sustaining, legal employment.  My observation is that people who come to Adana to work, don’t stick around long unless they have a powerful reason to stay (like a Turkish significant other or a strong sense of calling to Adana.)

Turkish hospitality is in amazing thing, but sadly the ministry of labor is much less than hospitable.  From everything I hear, they are very reluctant to grant work permits to foreigners, unless they are either A.) Teaching English at a very professional institution or B.) Creating a significant number of jobs for locals.

Turkish Labor Ministry... don't expect a red carpet

Teaching English in Adana

If you have a four-year university degree, you could very likely find a job teaching English at a private primary or high school or university.  If you’re actually a trained teacher, there are very professional teaching positions in all subjects at an American High School in Tarsus.  Other than these, there are opportunities to find cash jobs teaching English, which are risky/illegal, and it’s an unstable income.

Teaching Opportunities Do Exist in Adana and beyond

My Advice

Here’s my advice.  If you have the skills or connections, try to find an “Office Job” in the United States that can be done from home, or start a freelance business doing something from your computer.  This would allow you to live in Adana without depending on finding a job from the Turkish economy. This has worked great for me.  I’m an American, working from home for an American company in America.  I just happen to spend most of the year “traveling.”  I make my money in America and spend it in Turkey and live here as a Tourist.  I think this is the most bullet-proof method of living in Turkey and still being gainfully employed. As former military, you also may be able to find civilian work at Incirlik (although few who seek it actually find it… jobs at Incirlik, that is.)  I’d recommend picking up The Four Hour Workweek as well and seeing if it helps you to generate a good idea for a home based business that you could do from Adana.

I hope this helps!

Check out the “Turkish Travel Blog” for another sober article about working as a foreigner in Turkey.

I hope this helps.  If you’re a foreigner in Turkey, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue.

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Chicken Chalupas – Made in Adana

Posted on June 8, 2011 by | 1 Comment

This week’s Made in Adana Recipe for Chicken Chalupas is from page 243 of the “I Need Help in Turkey Cookbook.”  I was very happy with how this recipe turned out, it was really tasty, something a little different, and all of us loved it. Here’s how I made it.  Note that the recipe below, which we made, is for a half recipe.  Double everything and use a full size cake pan for a larger batch.

Step 1:  Chop two large chicken breasts into a few pieces and boil them in water on the stovetop until completely cooked (20-30 min).  When it’s finished, you should be able to cut the largest piece in half, and the inside will be totally white.  I added some pepper corns, a sprig of rosemary and salt while the chicken was cooking (optional).

Chicken boiled with 2 sprigs rosemary, peppercorns, bay leaf and salt

< While the chicken is boiling>

Step 2: Grease a small cake pan

Step 3: In a large bowl combine the following:

  • 1 package of Labne Peynir (200g light Cream Cheese)
  • 1 small can of green chilies (optional)
  • 2 green onions chopped up
  • ½ c black olives – chopped up
  • 150 g kaşar peynir
Chicken Chalupa Ingredients

Boiled Chicken, Ceam of Chicken Soup Packet (Kremali Tavuk Çorbası) Kaşar Cheese, Labne Cheese, Green Onions, Black Olives

(preheat the oven to 350F/180C)

Step 4: After the chicken is cooked, take out the chicken, and set it aside to cool a bit.  Use some of the broth from the chicken to mix up one packet of cream of chicken soup.  Use half of the required water for the soup packet.  Mix up the soup well, and then add the soup to the mixture in the bowl.  Mix it all up well, and then set aside 1 Cup of the cheesy mixture.  Shred the chicken into really fine pieces and add it to the sauce bowl.

Chicken All Chopped Up

The Chicken Shredded, Cheese Sauce Assembled, 1 Cup set aside, Cheese for the top shredded.

Step 5: Fill 6 tortillas with the cheese/sauce/chicken mix. Roll them up and put them in the cake pan.

Stuffing Chicken Chalupas

Stuffing Chicken Chalupas with cheese mixture

Step 6: pour the remaining sauce over the top of the tortillas.  Cover with shredded cheese.  Bake for 35-40 minutes. Serve

Chicken Chalupas Ready for the Oven

Chicken Chalupas Ready for the Oven

Chicken Chalupa Dinner

Chicken Chalupa Dinner - unfortunately the black olives colored everything a little pink.

Shopping List

  • 6 Large Flour Tortillas
  • 2 Large Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Package of Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1 Package of Labne Peynir (200g)
  • 300 g Kaşar Peynir
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 can green chillies (optional)
  • ½ cup sliced black olives

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Posted in Adana, DIY food, Eating Right, Made In Adana

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Mado Photos

Posted on June 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

We decided to take my own advice yesterday and cool off at Mado with some Turkish Ice Cream (Dondurma).  Check out my recent 52 Things to do in Adana post if you didn’t see it about Having Ice Cream at Mado if you didn’t see it on Saturday. This was a great way to spend a hot Sunday afternoon.

I nearly forgot how much I love Mado Ice Cream.  I had one scoop of sour cherry ice cream – (Vişneli) and one scoop of caramel almond.  Rana and the kids loved their ice cream too.  Check out the pictures below.

Prices for Cones and Cups Clearly Marked - Also available by the Kilo

 

Lots of options there.  Mado usually has a waiter who speaks English.

This young man offered to serve us in English.

One Scoop of Cherry Ice Cream, one scoop of Caramel.

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Get Ice Cream at Mado – Things to do in Adana

Posted on June 4, 2011 by | 4 Comments

Go out for Ice Cream at Mado

This post is a part of my “Things to Do in Adana” series.  You can purchase my book 27 Things to do in Adana and see a list of all the posts in this series at http://www.adanaadventures.com/book/.

Mado Cafe Adana

If you haven’t been to a Mado cafe in Adana, you’re really missing out.  Mado is one of Adana’s best known sidewalk cafes and specializes in Ice Cream. The name “Mado” is a combination of the words “Maraş” and “Dondurma”(Turkish for ice cream.  The significance of this is that the city of Karaman Maraş (Maraş for short) is known throughout Turkey for their excellence in Ice Cream making. Maraş ice cream  is very different from the ice cream purchased in the stores.  It’s much harder, chewier and richer than Ice Cream found in the stores in America, or in Turkey.

Dondurma MakerIf you’ve ever seen one of those guys with a huge stick mixing ice cream in a cold tub, they’re making Maraş Ice Cream.  The key ingredients that distinguish  Maraş Dondurması  from other ice cream are goat’s milk,  Salep and Mastic (Sakız in Turkish).  The flavors of these aren’t all that prevelant in Turkish Ice Cream, but they certainly influence the texture and make it less prone to melting, it’s thick enough that it’s often eaten with a fork and knife.  Dondurma is a big part of Turkish culture; if the only ice cream you’ve eaten in Adana is on a stick from the red Algida coolers, than it’s time for a trip to Mado.

Check out some of the flavors available at Mado (click the picture to see all.)

Mado Ice Cream Varieties

Mado franchises can be found all over Turkey and even in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Australia and South Korea.  There are four locations in Adana.  I’d recommend going to the location in Gazi Pasa.  You can get directions by clicking the map below.  If you know where the McDonalds by the big Mosque is, you can find Mado quite easily.

Mado also has a great English website, do check it out here. I should also mention that they have some of the best cakes, cheesecakes, and baklava in Adana.  But it’s summer, go try the Ice Cream!

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Eat Adana Kebap

Posted on May 27, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Eat Adana Kebap

This post is a part of my “Things to Do in Adana” series.  You can purchase my book 27 Things to do in Adana and see a list of all the posts in this series at http://www.adanaadventures.com/book/.


One might argue that “Adana Kebap” is the pinnacle of Turkish cuisine and that’s debatable, but there is no doubt that it is the most significant food in Adana.

When most Americans think Kebab, they picture meat and veggies grilled on skewers like this


There’s nothing wrong with the American style of Kebab, but when Turks hear Kebap, they think Adana. Adana Kebap. The Adana Kebap is an institution in Turkey. It’s Adana’s pride and joy. Adana Kebap is prepared by packing ground lamb meat and spices (especially ground red pepper) around a shish resembling a sword and cooking it over open coals. It’s served on top of flat bread and usually surrounded by some grilled veggies (see picture.) It’s also accompanied by thinly sliced onions and parsley with paprika. When finished, the Kebap is like a foot long belt of meat. The Kebap is cut into pieces and rolled in the bread with some onions. It’s a wonderful eating experience. I have compared it to meatloaf in the past, but I no longer think it’s a helpful analogy. It’s honestly unlike anything I have ever eaten in Minnesota.

You can get Adana Kebap at any restaurant with a grill. Ordering is easy. All you have to do is say “Adana” when the waiter asks what you want. He’ll know what you mean.  For more tips for ordering food at a kebap restaurant see my article on that subject.

There are many wonderful places to eat Kebap in Adana, and everyone has an opinion about which is best. The bottom line is that if you visit Adana, you have to eat Adana Kebap. If you visit Adana, find a Turkish friend and ask them to take you to their favorite place. If you can’t find anyone, leave me a comment. I’ll take you.

Here’s another good article about an American lady experiencing Adana Kebap for the first time on a first grade field trip.

/this article is a repost of an article I wrote back on Feb 12, 2007, if it looks familiar to you, you’ve been around for a long time./

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Posted in 52 Things to Do, Adana, Adana Food guide

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First Turkish Cooking Seminar – A Success

Posted on May 22, 2011 by | 5 Comments

This Saturday we put on the first ever Foreign Perspective offline event; a Turkish Cooking seminar called “Three Healthy, Easy, Turkish Foods You Can Make at Home.” Hopefully there will be more in the future.  Rana taught a group of six ladies from three different countries how to make a Soup, a Borek (cheese pastry) and two variations on a Meze made with eggplant and served it all with Antakya humus.

It was a total success.  Everyone seemed to love the event, and were thrilled to learn some simple, practical, healthy recipes for Turkish food while having fun and meeting some new people.  Rana was a natural at teaching how to cook these foods and I think everyone loved her teaching style.  Rana and I also had a ton of fun doing this together.   It was a great joy to share some of our favorite foods with new and old friends.

We had a fair amount of interest from people who couldn’t make it this weekend and we’re seriously considering putting on the an exact clone of this event in two weeks before we take off for the summer (Saturday, June 4th at 3:00; cost $15 or 22 lira).  If this is something you’re interested in, would you email me at jakedolson@gmail.com?  If we can get 6 people to commit(max 12), we’ll set it up (see details from yesterday’s event here).  Hopefully we can get some men to sign up this time!

Enjoy the pictures from the event. (I forgot to take pictures of the food)

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Posted in Adana, Adana Food guide, DIY food

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Brunch at EkoTepe Organic Farm

Posted on May 20, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Brunch at EkoTepe Organic Farm

This post is a part of my “Things to Do in Adana” series.  You can purchase my book 27 Things to do in Adana and see a list of all the posts in this series at http://www.adanaadventures.com/book/.

I’m a lover of nature and a lover of Turkish food.  I also relish any opportunity to expose my children to the outdoors, to nature and to animals.  All of those loves come together beautifully at EkoTepe Organik Çıftliği .

Ekotepe (Ekotepe Ekolojik Yaşam Çıftliği) is an organic farm about 30 minutes north of Adana.  On Saturday and Sunday, they put on a brunch from 9:30-1:00. The breakfast could be described as a typical Turkish breakfast with a few outstanding extras (quail eggs, sikma).  There are a few choices of cheeses, jams and olives.  Honey and Tahini along with fresh bread.  Boiled village eggs, omelets with sucuk, dried fruits, yogurt and limitless tea and instant coffee. They also feature fresh sikma ( a rolled Turkish flat bread with cheese inside.)  Most products are said to be organic, and if that’s important to you, that’s an added bonus.

The big thing that sets Ekotepe apart from the other brunch places in Adana however is not the food, but the setting.  Ekotepe’s restaurant is on the top of a hill surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside scenery you could imagine in Adana.  In addition to the scenery, there are a number of animals around to entertain the children… and adults.  There are ducks, squirrels, horses, sheep, cows, chickens, quail, geese, peacocks and even a monkey.  There’s also a small play area for children and a nice short hiking trail.  We even got to pick mulberries off of the trees until our fingers turned purple and our kids tummies were full.

If you need an escape from the city, I recommend visiting EkoTepe before it gets too hot.  They also feature a limited lunch menu, which I’m sure is very good.   It’s recommended to get reservations, as the place fills up quickly when the weather is nice.  Visit Ekotepe’s photo album here. I think you’ll be surprised that such a place exists in Adana.

In order to get there, you simply must get on the Karaisali road north of the Adana Convention Center.  Follow that road for about 20 minutes until you get to Salbaş.  Ekotepe is about 2 minutes after that little town on the right.  You can get a map here.

I should mention that the brunch is a bit expensive.  It’s 20 TL.  I gladly pay that however, because I know of no other place where I can have such a relaxing experience in nature within a half hour of Adana.

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Posted in 52 Things to Do, Adana, Adana Food guide, Adana Restaurants

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