Turkish Culture Due to History, not Nature
Jun 11th, 2021, 03:01 AM
#121
Hello again, finally.
First the news :
- pandemic statistics on the decline
- restaurants, cafes Bars(?) open till 10PM
- some schools now face to face
- touristic venu prices are up. Due to inflation and for owners/managers to recover their losses.
- all utility costs almost 50% above last year's
- A mafia boss, leader of the second most powerful mob, has been televising information on relations with government on youtube.
He has over 10 mil. viewers. about 75% of population including most pro-government believe him.
- Police brutality and torture is on the increase.
- Arrests of reporters as usual and now threats and physical attacks on opposition leaders increasing.
- no news of an early election. Belief that the next election will be rigged.
- international standing of Turkish universities are way down.
- minimum wage down to $345/mo.
-Unemployment among university graduates is over 25% and 18-25 age group at 32%
- Syrian refugees willing to work for $150/mo.
- my wife says she is not a Syrian refugee
-The Marmara Sea in an around istanbul and both Bosporous and Dardannels straits are heavily polluted
So swimming and all local fish should be proscribed. Farm fish like salmon, bream and sea bass are OK
- The best time for local fruit has arrived. plums, peaches, apricots, strawberries, melons, water melon, nectarines, kiwi, etc.
= Most older than 50's vaccinated. So sit next to older people on buses, planes, ferries
First the news :
- pandemic statistics on the decline
- restaurants, cafes Bars(?) open till 10PM
- some schools now face to face
- touristic venu prices are up. Due to inflation and for owners/managers to recover their losses.
- all utility costs almost 50% above last year's
- A mafia boss, leader of the second most powerful mob, has been televising information on relations with government on youtube.
He has over 10 mil. viewers. about 75% of population including most pro-government believe him.
- Police brutality and torture is on the increase.
- Arrests of reporters as usual and now threats and physical attacks on opposition leaders increasing.
- no news of an early election. Belief that the next election will be rigged.
- international standing of Turkish universities are way down.
- minimum wage down to $345/mo.
-Unemployment among university graduates is over 25% and 18-25 age group at 32%
- Syrian refugees willing to work for $150/mo.
- my wife says she is not a Syrian refugee
-The Marmara Sea in an around istanbul and both Bosporous and Dardannels straits are heavily polluted
So swimming and all local fish should be proscribed. Farm fish like salmon, bream and sea bass are OK
- The best time for local fruit has arrived. plums, peaches, apricots, strawberries, melons, water melon, nectarines, kiwi, etc.
= Most older than 50's vaccinated. So sit next to older people on buses, planes, ferries
Jun 11th, 2021, 04:19 AM
#122
Hello again, finally.
First the news :
- pandemic statistics on the decline: Hooray!
- restaurants, cafes Bars(?) open till 10PM Hooray!
- some schools now face to face Hooray!
- touristic venu prices are up. Due to inflation and for owners/managers to recover their losses. This may be a global reaction
- all utility costs almost 50% above last year's Yikes!
- A mafia boss, leader of the second most powerful mob, has been televising information on relations with government on youtube.
He has over 10 mil. viewers. about 75% of population including most pro-government believe him. That's frightening
- Police brutality and torture is on the increase. Horrible
- Arrests of reporters as usual and now threats and physical attacks on opposition leaders increasing. Horrible
- no news of an early election. Belief that the next election will be rigged. Oh no!
- international standing of Turkish universities are way down. Oh no!
- minimum wage down to $345/mo. Oh no!
-Unemployment among university graduates is over 25% and 18-25 age group at 32% Horrible
- Syrian refugees willing to work for $150/mo. Almost slavery
- my wife says she is not a Syrian refugee
-The Marmara Sea in an around istanbul and both Bosporous and Dardannels straits are heavily polluted
So swimming and all local fish should be proscribed. Farm fish like salmon, bream and sea bass are OK
- The best time for local fruit has arrived. plums, peaches, apricots, strawberries, melons, water melon, nectarines, kiwi, etc.
= Most older than 50's vaccinated. So sit next to older people on buses, planes, ferries
First the news :
- pandemic statistics on the decline: Hooray!
- restaurants, cafes Bars(?) open till 10PM Hooray!
- some schools now face to face Hooray!
- touristic venu prices are up. Due to inflation and for owners/managers to recover their losses. This may be a global reaction
- all utility costs almost 50% above last year's Yikes!
- A mafia boss, leader of the second most powerful mob, has been televising information on relations with government on youtube.
He has over 10 mil. viewers. about 75% of population including most pro-government believe him. That's frightening
- Police brutality and torture is on the increase. Horrible
- Arrests of reporters as usual and now threats and physical attacks on opposition leaders increasing. Horrible
- no news of an early election. Belief that the next election will be rigged. Oh no!
- international standing of Turkish universities are way down. Oh no!
- minimum wage down to $345/mo. Oh no!
-Unemployment among university graduates is over 25% and 18-25 age group at 32% Horrible
- Syrian refugees willing to work for $150/mo. Almost slavery
- my wife says she is not a Syrian refugee
-The Marmara Sea in an around istanbul and both Bosporous and Dardannels straits are heavily polluted
So swimming and all local fish should be proscribed. Farm fish like salmon, bream and sea bass are OK
- The best time for local fruit has arrived. plums, peaches, apricots, strawberries, melons, water melon, nectarines, kiwi, etc.
= Most older than 50's vaccinated. So sit next to older people on buses, planes, ferries
Jun 19th, 2021, 05:12 AM
#125
Still recovering from the walking disorder which I believe is caused by various events which occurred i n and close to my rain.
There was a minor earthquake, 4.2.centered in a Southern district of Istanbul. As far as we know, there is no need to worry that this may be a precursor of the expected bigger one.
But, one has to be careful, so I pulled many pillows like a cocoon around me while I napped in Eser's absence.
The social and political scenes show no improvement but the pandemic statistics appear to be OK.
Sunday curfew still on even on fathers' Day
Conspiracy theories re the vaccines spreading, from chips placed in recipient bodies to infertility. I really do not bother about either. I have already enough foreign matter in my body and have no desire for any more progeny.
Istanbul received the most rain it had ever had in June of any previous year that I remember. It may be tat the authority in the sky has been shedding tears for the inhabitants.
There was a minor earthquake, 4.2.centered in a Southern district of Istanbul. As far as we know, there is no need to worry that this may be a precursor of the expected bigger one.
But, one has to be careful, so I pulled many pillows like a cocoon around me while I napped in Eser's absence.
The social and political scenes show no improvement but the pandemic statistics appear to be OK.
Sunday curfew still on even on fathers' Day
Conspiracy theories re the vaccines spreading, from chips placed in recipient bodies to infertility. I really do not bother about either. I have already enough foreign matter in my body and have no desire for any more progeny.
Istanbul received the most rain it had ever had in June of any previous year that I remember. It may be tat the authority in the sky has been shedding tears for the inhabitants.
Last edited by otherchelebi; Jun 19th, 2021 at 05:28 AM.
Jun 19th, 2021, 09:17 AM
#126
Glad that the covid stats seem ok with you, OC - here in Cornwall the main legacy of the G7 appears to be the worst infection rate in the UK in the areas where it was based. At least we haven't had any earthquakes, nor torrential rain thank goodness. To coin a phrase, it never rains but it pours.
Jun 21st, 2021, 10:26 AM
#127
Thanks Annhig. Recently Cornwall seems to be appearing in the news and TV series more and more. Could that be due to your escapades?
All curfews are to be lifted as of July 1, except for locations that play music after midnight!!!!!!! Apparently there are day discos for Arabic and Moslem tourists on Istiklal street in Istanbul.....
Marmara Sea and both Bosporus and Dardanelles are heavily polluted. Tourists are advised to refrain rom swimming at locations in the areas.
A Turkish gang leader, disappointed with how he was treated by the minister of interior has been airing videos on money laundering, bribery, etc. One Hero (?), a partner of the infamous Kingston Brothers was arrested in
Austria and we hear that USA jumped the gun and asked Austria to have him extradited to the US.
Turkish Lira continues to lose value but inflation and price increases are catching up.
The ruling coalition has persuaded the judiciary to start proceedings to shut down the Kurdish party, HDP. Since the coalition controls all judicial and security institutional, it seems that this closure decision will paa
within the coming twelve months after the forgone due process.
All curfews are to be lifted as of July 1, except for locations that play music after midnight!!!!!!! Apparently there are day discos for Arabic and Moslem tourists on Istiklal street in Istanbul.....
Marmara Sea and both Bosporus and Dardanelles are heavily polluted. Tourists are advised to refrain rom swimming at locations in the areas.
A Turkish gang leader, disappointed with how he was treated by the minister of interior has been airing videos on money laundering, bribery, etc. One Hero (?), a partner of the infamous Kingston Brothers was arrested in
Austria and we hear that USA jumped the gun and asked Austria to have him extradited to the US.
Turkish Lira continues to lose value but inflation and price increases are catching up.
The ruling coalition has persuaded the judiciary to start proceedings to shut down the Kurdish party, HDP. Since the coalition controls all judicial and security institutional, it seems that this closure decision will paa
within the coming twelve months after the forgone due process.
Jun 21st, 2021, 11:29 AM
#128
<<Thanks Annhig. Recently Cornwall seems to be appearing in the news and TV series more and more. Could that be due to your escapades?>>
I'd like to think so, OC, but our huge "Cornwall for Europe" banners [visible from planes landing at Newquay airport] never made the international TV, SFAIK. However they were photographed by a EU delegate and tweeted by him, and got over 1000 retweets which was beyond our wildest dreams whilst we were battling the weather to put them up on the side of a friendly farmer's barn. But sadly I think that they were more interested in Pres Biden and Frau Merkel. And coincidentally our restrictions are now extended for 4 weeks until 19th July.
Is your gang leader still getting large audiences? Have there been any repercussions for politicians yet? We have a similar process going on here and though everyone is agog to hear what the government official turned rat has to say next, so far no heads have rolled.
I'd like to think so, OC, but our huge "Cornwall for Europe" banners [visible from planes landing at Newquay airport] never made the international TV, SFAIK. However they were photographed by a EU delegate and tweeted by him, and got over 1000 retweets which was beyond our wildest dreams whilst we were battling the weather to put them up on the side of a friendly farmer's barn. But sadly I think that they were more interested in Pres Biden and Frau Merkel. And coincidentally our restrictions are now extended for 4 weeks until 19th July.
Is your gang leader still getting large audiences? Have there been any repercussions for politicians yet? We have a similar process going on here and though everyone is agog to hear what the government official turned rat has to say next, so far no heads have rolled.
Jul 8th, 2021, 12:19 PM
#129
Another recent discovery that I wish I can visit even if from a distance:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart...key-180978035/
Although I have been to Kars and Dogu Beyazit, I have not visited any areas South of Dogu Beyazit and east of Midyat. Maybe i can mke up and get to those areas when and if my health improves.
Gobeklitepe also calls me for a second visit as well as the great landscapes of Savsat and the whole Artvin province and especially Macahel region on the Georgia border: https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/rep...jpg&quality=50
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart...key-180978035/
Although I have been to Kars and Dogu Beyazit, I have not visited any areas South of Dogu Beyazit and east of Midyat. Maybe i can mke up and get to those areas when and if my health improves.
Gobeklitepe also calls me for a second visit as well as the great landscapes of Savsat and the whole Artvin province and especially Macahel region on the Georgia border: https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/rep...jpg&quality=50
Jul 9th, 2021, 02:09 AM
#130
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Thanks for introducing us to more possibilities in your wonderful country.
I'm thinking of a visit to the Mediterranean coast in late September or early October, if the Covid/vaccine situation has stabilized by then. We are currently almost Covid-free in Canada and foreign travel is slowly becoming easier.
I'm thinking of a visit to the Mediterranean coast in late September or early October, if the Covid/vaccine situation has stabilized by then. We are currently almost Covid-free in Canada and foreign travel is slowly becoming easier.
Another recent discovery that I wish I can visit even if from a distance:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart...key-180978035/
Although I have been to Kars and Dogu Beyazit, I have not visited any areas South of Dogu Beyazit and east of Midyat. Maybe i can mke up and get to those areas when and if my health improves.
Gobeklitepe also calls me for a second visit as well as the great landscapes of Savsat and the whole Artvin province and especially Macahel region on the Georgia border: https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/rep...jpg&quality=50
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart...key-180978035/
Although I have been to Kars and Dogu Beyazit, I have not visited any areas South of Dogu Beyazit and east of Midyat. Maybe i can mke up and get to those areas when and if my health improves.
Gobeklitepe also calls me for a second visit as well as the great landscapes of Savsat and the whole Artvin province and especially Macahel region on the Georgia border: https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/rep...jpg&quality=50
Jul 9th, 2021, 03:28 AM
#131
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I'm hoping to visit the Kingdom of Urartu next year. There's a nice new museum in Van.
In fact lots of museums in the east to visit. Antakya, Gaziantep (Zeugma) and Şanlıurfa museums are also high on the list.
In fact lots of museums in the east to visit. Antakya, Gaziantep (Zeugma) and Şanlıurfa museums are also high on the list.
Jul 9th, 2021, 07:17 AM
#132
Luckily the Germans are building 4 super-dooper submarines for the Turks to ensure the Greeks stop arguing and peace will come again to that end of the Med. If only there was a sort of international organisation called something like OTAN or NATO.
Or not...
Or not...
Jul 9th, 2021, 12:53 PM
#133
Bilboburgler, you are confusing the threats Turkey faces. Greece is not a threat. However, Iran, Russia, are possible international threats.
USA, UK and Israel pose intelligence operation threats. KSA, taliban, ISIS and similar entities may be more easily dealt with. The almost nine million refugees, most but definitely not all from Syria are a huge threat.
Finally, the biggest threat is internal. There are over 100,000 automatic and semi-automatic weapons missing from security forces inventories. There are rumored to be armories at most mosques which are connected with a communications network to respond to any challenge to the present government and a presidential decree that says that any uprising or violence undertaken by civilians for the safety of the government will not be subject to judicial process. In the last week, we have had the president and his partner the ultra0nationalist party leader declare that they will never turn over rule to enemies of the country, meaning the current opposition. So, if you wish to visit Turkey in the near future, plan for 2021, 2922 and fist quarter of 2923. You do not want to be here during the June2023 national elections, just before that and its aftermath.
I just hope that our family will be able to take a nice long international vacation during the risky period, if my health improves.
USA, UK and Israel pose intelligence operation threats. KSA, taliban, ISIS and similar entities may be more easily dealt with. The almost nine million refugees, most but definitely not all from Syria are a huge threat.
Finally, the biggest threat is internal. There are over 100,000 automatic and semi-automatic weapons missing from security forces inventories. There are rumored to be armories at most mosques which are connected with a communications network to respond to any challenge to the present government and a presidential decree that says that any uprising or violence undertaken by civilians for the safety of the government will not be subject to judicial process. In the last week, we have had the president and his partner the ultra0nationalist party leader declare that they will never turn over rule to enemies of the country, meaning the current opposition. So, if you wish to visit Turkey in the near future, plan for 2021, 2922 and fist quarter of 2923. You do not want to be here during the June2023 national elections, just before that and its aftermath.
I just hope that our family will be able to take a nice long international vacation during the risky period, if my health improves.
Jul 12th, 2021, 05:23 AM
#136
thanks Ann and Bilbo. A new law proposed and to be passed by the governmet will extend duration of Unusual Circumstances Period, which give the president indisputable powers for three more years to cover the 2023 national and 2024 local elections. These days large number of individuals who criticize on social media and most NGO representatives who try to protest any way the can are being arrested like journalists, students and academics, kept for a few days and released because the prosecution cannot attach any wrongdoing. This activity includes re-opening old court cases and trying to jail octogenerian politicians, military officials and journalists. As almost all monotheistic religions, Islam and its followers have little in the way of compassion or justice when it offends their values and beliefs and, naturally, egos.
An old but very fit saying applies to all people like them : Condem quo non intellegunt (They condemn what they do not understand)
Condemnant quenonintelleguent. They condemn what they do not understand.
An old but very fit saying applies to all people like them : Condem quo non intellegunt (They condemn what they do not understand)
Condemnant quenonintelleguent. They condemn what they do not understand.
Last edited by otherchelebi; Jul 12th, 2021 at 05:30 AM.
Jul 28th, 2021, 01:37 PM
#137
New archeological find
A team of archaeologists led by Professor Kutalmış Görkay, of the University of Ankara in Turkey, has unearthed three ancient Greek mosaics in the Turkish city of Zeugma, near the border with Syria.The excavation project, which began in 2007, was speeded up by the flooding in the area due to the construction of a dam.
Jul 28th, 2021, 01:46 PM
#138
Turkey is at risk of becoming the new battleground between medieval tribes and sects, with a million or more Afghani young men crossing the Iranian border and making it to Western Turkey. These re not regular refugees, because there are no women, children or older men with them. Most of them apparently walk about two hundred miles or more to reach the Turkish border, where they are met with traffickers who charge them $200-400 to take them to Western border of Turkey and then extra for passports and papers they can use to make it to Western Europe.
Jul 28th, 2021, 06:04 PM
#139
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OC, thank you so much for having posted a photo of that Greek mosaic. I always love looking at them. The Roman mosaics in central Sicily's Villa Casale are also a real treat for those interested in ancient history. Hellenic or Messapian ones are pretty rare.
stay well
I am done. the Sumela
stay well
I am done. the Sumela
Jul 28th, 2021, 10:33 PM
#140
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I didn't realise they were still finding mosaics at Zeugma. That's a lovely one.
Interesting that the Hittites had mosaics, they've found one at Uşaklı Höyük:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journ...0366A7F300BBF7
Interesting that the Hittites had mosaics, they've found one at Uşaklı Höyük:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journ...0366A7F300BBF7
