Not CSC, but Italy

CSC project is over but now I'm in holiday and I woul like to tell you about it. I am at Rome and I think there is no easy way to describe it is amazing; there is art and history everywhere. If I go to one place I say wow if I go to a different side still wow, no wonder why they call it the ethernal city, I've been walkink for 2 days and the wow factor continues. And, guess what I hit my head again and my right foot is killing me (damn new shoes) I'll upload photos later on (I will not upload them to facebook)

One week left

For this blog post I'll divide it into 3 separate parts,  the first one to talk about work, the second one what I have learned so far  and at last our group activities for fun.

Work:

In case you were wondering what do you need to work in a foreign country with 14 people from different countries, different ways to approach work, different ways to live and so many different interests?... well my answer would be Patience, empathy and communication (and no, I'm not talking about marriage). Sometimes it's frustrating when things don't go the way you are expecting them to be, when the message you are intending to deliver is not understood or people react in different ways others than you are used to. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that this type of collaboration is a huge challenge and an opportunity as well.
For the last couple of weeks we have interviewed people, measured satisfaction levels, assess potential, also tried to figure it out the best way to provide good recommendations for our client, discuss about alternatives to approach work, about meetings, and so many other things like looking at each other like this ¬_¬   :)

What I have learned. 
If things don't go the way you like, take a deep breath and try to get it done as you want it, if not possible talk about it (Good thing is if talking is not enough, you can always move your arms, hands and body to say I don't understand but the Chai is so good, can I have one more please?). I learned to say thanks often, in might seem nonsense but a small word makes a huge difference; the opinion of each individual is different and their point of view should be listened carefully and respected, but sometimes you need to take the lead in order to others follow and do what you want if that option will benefit the group.
In addition you need to gain the trust and respect of a group before actually being part of the group.
I also have learned so many things about Turkey, but that is reserved for another blog post.

Group activities for fun

One of the activities that is really fun to watch (at least for me) is asking for food, it's amazing, it's like trying to make reverse engineering on food.
Waitress:  Merhaba,
Me:  Merhaba, do you speak English? 
Waitress: Üzgünüm, yemek ister misin? 
Me: I'm not Turkish, I don't speak Turkish sorry
Waitress: İngilizce konuşan bir yabancının, Tanrım!. Sonra bir Avustralyalı olanlar, bir Japon, bir Meksikalı sonra artık bir Amerikan ve. Ne bir gün.
Me:  I just want to see the menu please (Making as many hand gestures I'm capable of, like that would be any difference)
Waitress: Points with her finger the salads and food available. 
Me:  What is that green and red thing over there?  
Waitress:  meat (at this point she realizes she can make fun of me)
Me: (showing the nicest smile my face is capable of)... do you serve it with with rice? (reverse engineering starts, and still trying to get her understand English...)
Waitress: Yes
Me: (ohhh she understands! I think to myself, I'm about to discover how silly I am) ohh does it have peanuts? 
Waitress: Yes
Me: wonderful, is that red thing strawberries?
Waitress: Yes
Me: do you have it to take away?
Waitress: yes
Me: What else do you serve on it?
Waitress: Yes (trying not to to laugh)
Me: You don't understand a word of what I'm saying right?
Waitress: Yes
Me: You are just making fun out of me right?
Waitress: Yes, 10 Turkish lira please.  
Me: hahaha

So as you can see things that may appear to be a simple task, can turn out to be a very difficult task  in other country =D

Other activity we had as a group was a dinner with IYTE and IZTEKGEB director,  Dr. Guden, he is a very smart person with a great vision to transform the university and its technopark into a smart city.  We eat and laugh about many things specially fortune telling using coffee, Dr. Guden told us that every mom in Turkey knows how to read the fortune using coffee which was very funny specially because I thought it was some kind of secret only a few know about.  Mental note:  There was a cake on flames which was really amazing, I'm wondering if it survived the trip to the table with it was supposed to go.

Before the dinner we had another dinner with Dr. Emrah and his team, it was a beautiful place they are really nice people, and are always willing to have a good conversation.

And before that dinner we had our CSC community service day, which consisted of helping kids realize the importance of continue studying and hard work, I must say that I was really inspired and honored to be part of such event, is not that we were some kind of peace corp or anything like it, but we were doing something for other people good and that is really inspiring, everyone participated and for me was a experience that will change my life for ever.

What else, umm... ahh Ephesus, what a terrific place, just imagine to be on the same place were one of the 7 wonders was built, surrounded by history. The library and the theaters were incredible, they were really smart people, I mean it's like a modern city from the past, bathrooms that recycled water,  tunnels, libraries, theaters, a port, they even had a way to indicate where young women with a broken heart could be located and the level of detail for the constructions simple amazing. 

As usual here are some photos and a video hope you enjoy.