Lisa Morrow: A friend of Turkey & an author with some brilliant books about this country

In this post we want to share very valuable info about an Australian lady, Lisa Morrow who is a genuine friend of Turkey and who has been acquainted with this country long enough to write very valuable books about it. The fact that Ms Morrow is a sociologist by origin and has lived in this country for a long while makes her books even more valuble. Her work – we sincerely believe – is “must-reading” especially for those who would like to have a true and realistic understanding of this country – and its people, it goes without saying. We thank LISA so much for being a real good friend and such a valuable asset for Turkey.

ARTICLE by LISA MORROW for “BUSINESS TURKEY TODAY”

When Mustafa Hunca invited me to write an article about my books for Business Turkey Today, I was happy to accept. There aren’t a lot of online English language journals originating in Turkey and very few focussing on business.

I first came to Turkey more than twenty years ago, and have lived in Antalya, Kayseri, Göreme and Istanbul. Coming and going to and from the country over such a long time, I’ve been able to see how things have both changed, yet adapted to stay the same. There is an eternal play of tradition and modernity woven into modern Turkish life and this fascinates me. Being a sociologist I look at individual behaviour in a social context, and see how tradition moulds people’s choices while modernity widens their options. As my Turkish has improved I’ve been able to ask more questions about this, and gained a better and deeper understanding of the culture. Despite this, I’m still very much a foreigner, a yabancı, in some ways, and I still experience Turkish culture and its people with the heart of a tourist.

MY FIRST COLLECTION OF ESSAYS: “INSIDE OUT IN ISTANBUL”

Making Sense of the City, is an attempt to do just that. To understand Turkish culture as it is lived, through the wearing of slippers in the house, having your fortune read in your coffee cup, the significance of lemon cologne, the etiquette of swimming, dancing in the street, the touchy subject of circumcision and much more. These are all experiences newcomers to the country experience that raise lots of questions. This book has many of the answers.
Available on AMAZON

In my next collection, “EXPLORING TURKISH LANDSCAPES:Crossing Inner Boundaries”,I share what it’s like to enter Turkish culture more deeply, through close friendships with Turkish women and men, teaching Turkish students and living daily life side by side with my Turkish neighbours. I’ve done this in central Turkey and Istanbul – celebrated Kurban Bayram, Ramazan, Şeker Bayram and joyous weddings, learned how to deal with local tradesmen and hospital visits, and come to terms with loss and death. In living a life more Turkish than Australian I was frequently challenged about who I was and what values I hold dear. Available on AMAZON

My latest work, a memoir called “WAITING FOR THE TULIPS TO BLOOM: Adrift in Istanbul” came from my decision to make Istanbul my permanent home. Despite all my previous adventures and lessons in Turkish life, it wasn’t as easy as I’d expected. Wrestling with the complexities of Turkish bureaucracy is a never-ending task, and dealing with real estate agents and grappling with the subtleties of the language can wear you out. Yet the hard work has been amply rewarded by wonderful nights out, summer picnics by the sea, dancing till dawn or staying up until sahur. I’ve had the privilege of sharing the joy of living with loyal friends who I know will be with me forever.
Available on AMAZON

(5 April 2018)