I was told to use it as "no, thank you", when offered, for example, more food at the table. I was also told that the appropriate accompanying gesture was the open palm against the chest. Was I wrong in doing so?

What is the one word used along the Black Sea that describes any color in the blue-green range? Is it 'gök'?

Especially for non-Turks, but not exclusive of our Turkish friends: what is your favorite Turkish word? Mine: misafirperverlik - partly because it just rolls off the tongue, partly because that's what I felt so strongly during the two years that I lived in Turkey.

Does anyone here live in that charming little city? If so, please send me a Personal Message. Thanks!

On the front page of İstanbul, Orhan Pamuk quotes Ahmet Rasim. I have the English translation, but I'd like to print the original in my copy of the book. "The beauty of a landscape resides in its melancholy". Does this come close? "Manzarın güzelliğini hüznünde oturur [yatar?]."

Çok mersi!

Thanks for the great lesson!

If I had come, he would have left. = Gelseydim, o giderdi.