RUMI

Mawlānā Jalāl-ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī(Persian: مولانا جلال الدین محمد رومی), but known to the English-speaking world simply as Rumi was born in Balkh in present day Afghanistan in 1207. He took his first education from his father, Baha' ud-Din Walad, who was known as “Sultan of the Scholar”. In 1212 he and his family left Balkh and they came to Konya. He was taught by Seyyid Burhaneddin for nine years. Baha' ud-Din became the head of a madrassa (religious school) and when he died Rumi inherited his position and succeeded him at the age of twenty-five. He was affected so much as by his best friend Shams-e Tabrizi.
Rumi`s teachings are called “Mevlevi” and his students are called “Mevlevi Dervishes”. The Mevlevi Dervish created the “sema” their "turning", sacred dance.His birthplace and native language shows a Persian heritage. His poetry is in Persian and his works are widely read in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and in translation especially in Turkey, Azerbaijan, the US, and South Asia.
His works are:
1-Mesnevi
2-Divan-I Kebir
His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages in various formats, and BBC News has described him as the "most popular poet in America"
2007 is the “Year of the Rumi” in Turkey.
METIN & MUSTAFA

The Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire(1299-1922) was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Turkish-ruled state. By 1300, there were Ghazi principalities all over Anatolia. One of them was led by Osman Ghazi who was the son of Ertugrul Ghazi. They were in the region of Eskisehir in western Anatolia. Osman I extended their borders to the Byzantine Empire. They took Bursa at first and Bursa became capital of Ottaman.
The story of Ottoman had begun there. Osman Ghazi had a better idea than others. He saw the future. They had dreamt of more than a local state and worked a long time to build a big multinational state. They had written documents of their own, about the structure of state, the military, the management, the judgement, the economic means. This systematic approach was the secret of their success.
Because of the success of their system, The Ottomans spanned three continents at 16th-17th century, when they were at their strongest(the map of Ottomans can be seen below). They were controlling Southeastern Europe, The Middle East and North Africa.The empire was at the center of interactions between the Eastern and Western worlds for six centuries. Through these centuries, lots of different cultures, nations lived together without trouble. The main point was that all the people were called Ottoman. It meant that people had the same identity beyond their different cultures.
In 1453 Istanbul was conquered by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and became capital city of Ottoman Empire. This was also beginning of a New Age for the world. They had a successful and determined army and navy. So, Ottoman Sovereigns conquered lots of places in their time. It was the way of being great in that age.
Some well-known of Sovereigns are; Fatih Sultan Mehmed, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman(Suleiman The Magnificent), Yavuz Sultan Selim…
They began to have troubles with management of the empire by the 18th century. It was also affected nationalism which became was taking root all over the world. Because of this and because of the impermanence of all living things, the Ottoman Empire was reaching its end.
After The World War I (1922) the Sovereign was removed by Ataturk. So The Ottoman Empire was finished and the Turkish Republic was established in Anatolia, and other republics in many other countries all over Ottomans lands…
ABDUREHIM & HASIP

A Marriage of Two Towers?

Istanbul is Turkey`s most popular city. It is a cultural and historical centre. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and is part of the natural harbor known as Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. The city is a bridge between Asia and Europe. It served as the capital city of different empires including Roman and Ottaman. Istanbul has many mosques, churches and different historical buildings. The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. Some of the historical areas are in Unesco`s list.
Cultural activity and tourism are an important part of life in the city.
Most of the city`s historical pubs are located in the areas around Istiklal Avenue in Beyoglu. Cicek Pasaji has most of the popular pubs.
Kiz Kulesi is in the centre of the city.If you want to see the two sides of Istanbul, you must visit it.
Galata kulesi ("Bachelor Tower") is on the European side opposite Kiz Kulesi ("Maiden Tower") on the Asian side.
Imagine if the Maiden and Bachelor Towers were married, what a fantastic thing this would be—a wedding of Europe and Asia!!
SEVAL & ZEHRA

Pylyp Orlyk

Pylyp Orlyk, a Zaporozhian Cossack, went into exile after Tsar Peter I won the Battle of Poltava and conquered Ukraine.
He was declared the Ukrainian Hetman in exile after the death of Hetman Ivan Mazepa in 1710.
He was the first to write a truly democratic constitution with separation of powers.
There is a legend in Ukraine that Pylyp Orlyk exported the Ukrainian cossack exchequer to England and invested money for future generations in an independent Ukraine.
But later nobody could remember the password!!

Boxing Brothers

Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko are two of the top boxers in the world.
They are from Ukraine and are brothers.
Both have PhDs are have the nicknames Dr. Iron Fist and Dr. Steelhammer.
Wladimir won the WBO World Heavyweight Championship in 2000 and 2004 and is the IBF/IBO World Heavyweight champion.
Vitali was the WBC heavyweight boxing champion of the world in 2004 and 2005.

Yuri Gagarin

I want to tell the story of a illustrious Russian man, Yuri Gugarin. A lot people know him because he was the first man in space.It was on the 12th April 1961.
Before Gagarin there were 2 space rockets.
The first was a rocket without people or animals. It was just a rocket with a satellite (Sputnik). This sputnik sent signals to the earth and scientists knew the flight had been completed.
The second space flight was with 2 dogs, Belka and Strelka. They returned safely.
Gagarin was the first man to orbit the earth and was in space for 108 minutes.
108 minutes that changed the world!
ANDREY N.
Watch Yuri Gagarin's flight here:

Igor Sikorsky

Igor Sikorsksy was a Ukrainian inventor. He was born in Kiev and lived there before the Russian revolution. After the revolution he emigrated to the USA, because he didn't share the Socialist ideology.
In the USA he continued to work as an inventor. In the 1920s he invented the first vertical takeoff and landing craft which he called the helicopter and founded the company which designed and manufactured all types of helicopters and still continues to do so.
Now it's a very big corporation which manufactures civil, military and cargo helicopters.

Vodka on Ice

A law introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev prohibited alcoholic drinks:
1. People began to make their own domestic alcohol;
2. The black market sold expensive and dangerous drinks;
3. Thousands of vineyards and fruit gardens were cut down;
4. Wineries were destroyed;
5. The government lost billions of rubles.
!!!
ALEX & SERGEY

Prize Tax

In Ukraine if you win something you must pay tax.
I had a friend who won a car in a prize draw.
But he couldn't take the car because the tax was too high.
JAROSLAV THE WISE & DMITRY

Earthquake Tax

In 1999 the west side of Turkey was hit by a big earthquake.
After that the government introduced a tax to help people affected and cities damaged by the earthquake.
But we are now in 2007 and we still have to pay the tax!
MUSTAFA & ABDUREHHIM

During Ceauşescu's time if you had not married after 30 years old you had to pay a tax!
AUREL & GAVRILA

Voting in Turkey

In Turkey everyone over 18 must vote, if they don't they have to pay a fine.
This law they say is democratic, but it isn't democratic.
If I have the right to vote I should also have the right not to vote.
SEVAL & ZEHRA

Bridegroom Baksheesh

Either before or after the wedding the bridegroom has to pay money to anyone (maybe a small child) who stops the car. In Turkey it must be at least TL 5 or maybe TL 20. In Russia it can also be drinks or sweets.
If the groom wants to go away he should have to pay the money and while doing this he should be polite. But sometimes the groom prefers accelerating.
Generally the groom pays the money to get married as soon as possible.
AYSEGUL & ANDREY (Golf)

BLOG 1 0 0 !!!

On the occasion of the 100th Near Miss Blog JOHN & GEOFF would like to thank all of their wonderful students for their contributions--you've been a fantastic bunch---and what a set of blogs!!!

As a way of celebrating the 100th blog post we have selected six of the best (a very difficult task)--for humour, language, fluency and, above all, for making us sit up or smile....

What a talented lot you Air Traffic Controllers are!!!!!

Here they are (in no particular order):
1. Sea, Sun, Sand & History EVREN
A blog to send the unfortunate Englishman heading off for better weather in a country where it can snow and be "summer" at the same time!
2. Welcome to Moscow VLAD
It makes you feel you've actually visited the place!! And came in useful when one of us did!
3. The Poor Man and the Sausages IOAN
A multi-sensory smile here for everyone!
4. Vlad Goes Fishing VLAD
A true story!
5. The Eagle and the Bear ERSAN
Where did he learn "get your goat"? What a joke!
6. Air Traffic Control in Istanbul ESREF, TUNC & BILAL
A fascinating blog--very clear, bold and informative.

With thanks,
GEOFF & JOHN

Weddings In Turkey: Raki & Friends

If it's not your wedding, a wedding in Turkey is great fun!
You can drink, you can eat, you can do traditional Turkish folk dancing and you can see friends you have lost touch with.
Sometimes the wedding is held in a garden, sometimes in a hall. You can't have a wedding in a mosque, but the imam can come to the wedding to give a blessing to a small family group, but it doesn't last long.
People can drink if it is held in a place where drinking is allowed.
Some people like to drink raki...the best thing at weddings is that you can drink unlimited quantities!
MUSTAFA

Smashing a Bottle

After the wedding ceremony, and before the bride goes to her new house, the bride throws up a glass or a bottle to break it.
It's believed that if the bride breaks the glass the new couple will not break each other's hearts at any time.
SALIH

Supermarket Confusion

Yesterday my friend and I went to the supermarket to buy some beer. We took a box and went to the till.
There was a young girl--pretty and nice, but when she saw us she blushed and suddenly began to speak quickly and said we had to go to another till.
But we didn't understand why!
The manager came and explained again that we had to pay at another till.
But this till was open!!
We said, "We have the money, we have the beer, we want to pay!"
She told us, "You may pay over there,"
We said, "We want to pay here!"
Finally, they explained that she was under 18 and she couldn't sell us alcohol.
What a crazy rule!
JAROSLAV THE WISE

Bargaining in Turkey

When I was a student at university I was well off because my father supported me.
But when I graduated my father didn't give me money and I couldn't find a job.
I was unemployed for a year.
If I needed to buy something like jeans, I couldn't afford it.
But I quickly learnt a new technique:
If I went shopping for something, like a new pair of jeans, I would offer to buy.
They would say the price was 20 Turkish Lira and I would say I couldn't afford to buy it. After that I would walk away.
But then the shop assistant would run after me and offer it at a much lower price.
I made a lot of good bargains that way!
SEVAL

Cluj-Napoca

I live in Cluj-Napoca. Cluj-Napoca is in the centre of Transylvania in the northwest of Romania.
Transylvania is a beautiful country: with hills, mountains, forests, wild boars, bears, wolves, deer, foxes, peacocks and pheasants. Hunting is popular and the hunters like to display trophies on their walls.

Ceauşescu used to hunt bears and deer and had thousands of trophies on his wall.
He shot the one of the largest bears in Europe--the champion bear trophy!!
But, if you go to Cluj-Napoca beware of the taxi drivers!
One day I had to go home from Bucharest to Cluj-Napoca. I had a free ticket for this flight and only had to pay the insurance.
After landing the taxi driver (who didn't know I was from Cluj-Napoca) said I must pay 50 Romanian Lei. More than the cost of whole journey and five times what I would normally pay.
I told him where to go!
GAVRILA

The Fool and the Bridge

This tragi-comic story happened in Istanbul many years ago.
A man came to Istanbul. It was the first time he had been in such a big city. He had come to earn lots of money. But he was a foolish man.
On his first day in Istanbul he met Dolop Osman who was a well-known swindler. But he didn't know anything about Osman. When they were looking at the Bosphorus bridge Osman said to him:
"Do you want to buy it? If you buy it you can earn a lot of money!"
The foolish man smiled and said:
"I think I haven't got enough money to buy it. Isn't it expensive?"
"Don't worry you are my fellow townsman."
So the foolish man bought the bridge by handing over all his money.
But when he tried to collect money from the cars crossing the bridge, the drivers called the police!
SUZAN, METIN & HASIP