Every Picture Tells a Story: Turkish Embassy — Washington, DC (1996)

 

 

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY:
TURKISH EMBASSY — WASHINGTON, DC (1996)

Today, the Turkish national elections are happening. This seems like a good day to remember old times. Though he’s been popular for many years, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan now faces a tough re-election. Erdogan is also scheduled to visit the United States next month, which should be interesting.

Working for the Turkish Government was a remarkable education as well as a personal privilege. I’ve always been drawn to working *interesting* jobs, which didn’t usually pay as well as some other positions. But I was never bored at work. That meant more to me than money. I’ve always valued experiences and happiness more than paychecks.

In all, I spent seven years working for the Republic of Turkey. First, I worked at the (old) Embassy location on Massachusetts Ave. for five years, before moving into the (new) Embassy compound for another two years which was constructed in 2000.

In that time, I developed a sincere fondness for Turkey and the Turkish people. I was lucky to have incredibly smart and talented staff around me, including my superiors, who always treated me kindly and with respect even though I wasn’t one of their diplomats. I was invited to every official Embassy function, met many dignitaries who visited (one regret–I wish I’d taken more picts), and even traveled to many events both in the U.S. and in Turkey. Off the clock, I often socialized with the Turks who I found to be extraordinarily interesting and cultured. Naturally, the Republic of Turkey sent many of their best diplomats here to the United States, given the alliance was so important to both countries. My employment with the Turkish Embassy ended when I moved to Las Vegas in 2002.

This photo was taken sometime in 1996 at 1717 Mass. Ave., NW of me sitting in the office of my superior, Ayla Karamete at the Embassy. I noticed here on Facebook today that she’s voting in the Turkish national election (she posted a photo). To Ayla Karamete and my other superiors during those wonderful times (Sami Orcun and Mustafa Siyahhan)……..Seni özlüyorum ve yaptığın her şey için teşekkür ederim.

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Here’s a link to the other articles in this series, “Every Picture Tells a Story.”