Disturbing

Most of the time I don't read Ali Kulebi, a director of some kind of pre-cold war institute in Ankara, his 'opinion', or let me say: his column.

This time, because of the tendentious heading, Unbearable arrogance of the EU, I did read his article. Besides the many falsifications and lies, it's the same old nationalist rhetoric.

Also, he forgets to mention that Turkey is a member of the NATO, which as a organization have it golden rules, And without the NATO, it would be a very poor equipped army (I don't think that the modern way of thinking of the Turkish Army fits Mr. Ali, but I am pretty sure, that they like to shop around in imperialistic USA and the EU, rather than in Iran).

Here are some 'rectifications':
- Turkey is not banging on the door of the EU for 45 year. Seriously since 1987, thanks to Ozal. That you have to obey the rules of a club you want to be member of, doesn't seem to bother, in his mind.
-The EU is not interfering, only telling what are the rules to become a member. Simple.
-The EU didn't remove Haider (Austria) from office, only bilateral talks were suspended.
-The three candidates were not following the party line of which they want to represent. Another one is now undersecretary of Justice...Is it possible Mr. Ali that a Dutch born became member of the Turkish government?
-Turkey is the fifth largest market of the EU. Right, and the EU is Turkey's largest business partner. But Europeans are still seen as traitors.
-The Turkish language is not outlawed in the EU. In countries with a huge Turkish population all the government documents are available in Turkish, on national, regional and even local level. And official interpreters are everywhere. But Turkish is not an official language in the EU as English is not in Turkey.
-Turkish business people can freely travel on a one year visa when they plan to do serious business, and not opening a CD shop in Rotterdam. And I have experience in this for 15 years.

All the Turkish business people I have helped in Europe, didn't face one problem with obtaining a visa.

If we take all this together and see what foreigners are facing in Turkey, especially in business, then there rests me one thing to say to Mr. Ali: you are a disturbing hypocrite.

The last days of Constantinople

Been besieged many times, the last assault on the Byzantine capital - the last capital of the once mighty Roman Empire - Constantinople, in the last week of May 1453, was successful. Read here the story.

Al Jazeera

Discovered a few weeks ago, that if you subscribe to the services of Digiturk, you also can watch Al Jazeera. Next to CNN world, BBC world, Euronews, and many other channels.
Must be said, that I had some kind of prejudice against this Qatar based news channel. But it's an added value channel. Broadcast in English, mainly by British presentators. It's just the 'other side of the news'. But don't like their Slogan: we Set the News Agenda.

Totally numb

Was sick last week. A big flu, and since my immune system doesn't work well, took some time to recover.
In the meanwhile, didn't feel well at the same time. Mentally. So my doctor told me to take some anti-depressive. Which I never used even once in my life, since vit B (especially the vit B 6 and vit B 12) are more than helpful when you feel depressive. Anyway, in a weak moment, I told him, 'give me some'. Also since I sleep badly.
So I got my anti-depressive tablets, and after using it for 2 days, I feel completely numb.
Doctors in the Netherlands always warned me that Turkish doctors are subscribing medicines as cookies by the tea.
A good and smart diagnose would be more appreciated in the future. But that is sometimes impossible in Turkey.

Poem Four - The Girl with a Lily Neck

The Girl with Lily Neck
(Zambak Boyunlu Kız)

öpüştü, sesti, dudaktı,
zambak boyunlu kızın
ayasındaki sözdü: tutulunca
aşk, üflediğinde kadın

dildi, yanaktı, boyun.
suya gitti kadın
sesine zambağın

yoldu, anneydi, baba
gözdü, göze kaçan toz
servi boylu şiirlerden
çekilip seçilen pozdu
yanaklarda emilen tuz

bir dik bir açılı
gölgeydi kuma çakılı
aşağı giden su, yukarı ateş
göktü yüzü, sarıydı kız

biri çok, biri kısa andı
sevişmekti, sevilmekti,
sevmek: sonrası dalgalı

denizdi, derindi, dere.

Nurduran Duman

Telephone costs

When you travel often to EU countries, the roaming costs are incredibly high.
Finally the EU parliament took action today and requires that telephone operators, carriers etc., have to reduce the costs up to 75%.
All within the EU block of 27 countries.
One of our clients Amatus, already watched this issue and is offering a special product for their clients.
Turkcell was not happy with this idea.
The law is there to protect customers for unfair prices. In Turkey you pay still too much for regular and land line calls. International costs are decreased but still not in line with the EU. It's in the best of the Turkish businesses and the general public that they further privatize the telecoms sector and allow carriers for cheaper deals. There is still not such as an Ombudsman in Turkey, protecting Turkish consumers.

Rome anno 100 BC, and Iraq/SE Turkey 2007 AC

This is one of the more than 100 stories in the last month of how young children are killed, stoned to death, hanged, etc. by the guardians of their religion and/or culture. And still, we are waiting for answers from their so called 'imams' or sheiks.
Pictures are shocking, but this is Daily Life in Northern Iraq and SE Turkey.

Click here for the story. Elif Safak wrote about it as well. But all the political parties in Turkey put their heads in sand as usual.

Miami living

Started this blog exactly 2 years after I moved from Miami to Istanbul. A big move! Loved the city of Miami for living and the healthy fresh air. Although I have some height fear, lived in this building on the 19th floor for 2 years with a spectacular view over the ocean.


Yes, and this was the swimming pool on the 5th floor. Just above the parking spots. On the other side there was a tennis court. Used the swimming pool daily. Only in the summer it was far too hot!


And what about the gym. Used it exactly one time in 2 years. Never used the indoor squash area either.

I made, in fact, hundreds of photos while living in Miami. Especially during road trips to Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, New York, Kansas and all in between since we traveled by car.

The old secular middle class

I found the following article in the most prestigious Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad. Unfortunately, it's in Dutch.
In this article several people are interviewed. The interesting thing is that most of them have said that 'corruption' and 'unemployment' are the driving forces behind these rallies. Mainly supported by the old middle class of Turkey. They feel left alone, in the cold. Not profiting from the economical revival. And they are angry that Erdogan let slip many things out of his hands.
So, it's not only about secularism and Islamism. But yes, indeed the CHP (btw, no information about this party available on Internet) is playing the fear-card.

By the way, I like the black and white picture!

Greek Name Days

St. Constantinus and St. Helen.

Greeks have 'name days' besides birthdays as nearly each day of the year is dedicated to one of the Christian saints.
So, the day you are born means: you have a birthday and a name day related to that Saint of that particular day you are born on.
Although birthdays became more common, name days are still celebrated.
Yes, the Greek Orthodox religion plays a significant part in the lives of the Orthodox Greeks.
Click here for a list of name days. Or this more specific list.

Happy Merger? Happy Marriage?

This doesn't look like a happy "collaboration". And the two guys don't look happy at all. I am curious if they have ever heard about 'campaign strategies', or 'communication management'. Looks like these people still believe in the 'communistic strategies' instead of listening to their voters.
I simply can not understand why this kind of politicians attract voters. And for your and their information: the Cold War is over! Looks like they bring this war within Turkish borders...

The ongoing debate

On the ongoing debate in Turkey about which party is reliable and which is not, the following article is interesting, click here.

The author is a former member of the General Assembly and Executive Board of the CHP.

Mrs. Gül

She said that she had noticed the anger on the faces of the people at the mass "republican rallies".
"When you look at the past of these angry people you notice that they grew up without love. This is why I am not angry at them. Life is short and beautiful, why are we consuming it with these arguments?"

Mrs. Hayrünnisa Gül

In an interview with Sabah, published in Today's Zaman, Mrs. Gul makes a statement unworthy for a possible first lady by denigrating other people their views.

Strange sounds...

According to a survey released this weekend, only 28% of the Dutch are in favor of a possible Turkish membership of the EU. And 67% are against. This has more to do with the rapid expansion of the EU with 12 countries in 3 years. Believe me.
The day before this survey was released the Minister of Justice in the Netherlands, Hirsch Balin, (this is another article) issued a statement that the EU must be aware and respect the 'special role' the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are playing in the Turkish society. While the EU is urging that the TSK must stay out of politics.
And on the same day the Somalia-born-Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali, now a Dutch citizen, told in an interview with the German newspaper Der Welt, that the Turkish Army can keep Europe safe of Islamic extremism....oink...

Something in the air..

Tomorrow another demonstration. This time in Izmir. The most liberal city of Turkey.
I don't see these demonstrations as only anti-government but also anti-establishment.
In fact, the atmosphere of the long hot summer of 1967 of Europe and the USA, merely Paris, Amsterdam and San Fransisco, which was dominated by anti-establishment, first feminist move and anti-consumptism, is in the air.
With the upcoming elections in July, this will be an interesting spring and summer for Turkey.
As they say that this demonstration will be the last one, I have my doubts. I foresee some uproar. Hopefully peacefully.

An interview with Nurduran Duman

For those interested in Nurduran Duman, the poet, and her work, today's Cumhuriyet Kitap Eki (Cumhuriyet Book Addition) published an article and picture, another one than the two which I use. She looks a little Holy in these ones..))
And I am sorry, can not provide a link since Cumhuriyet is still not in the digital time frame.
Old socialist who became reactionary.

Poem three - Sea Language and Literature

Deniz Dili ve Edebiyatı
(Sea Language and Literature)

müjde. gün döndü güle bakanlar
yaşasın! uzun yıllar var bahçeme
düşmedi kötü niyetli yaprak
Düşse de, yıkadım uykumda geceleri
yaktım koyu mavi çizgidendi direği
çürük, yelkenleri yamalı.

şimdi tüm ırmaklar denize!
kan, sinir uçları hepsi
böbrek taşları hep denize!

suya bakan yüzler gördüm
anahtarları iki kaş arasında
iki orman ortasından geçiyor yolları
kalbime. Kalbim susma sakın
bu çırpıntı, bu aşk!
Hey sevmesini sevdiğim…
Hadi denize.

Nurduran Duman

Just bad propaganda

Putting this picture on the front page of TDN is a pragmatic choice.
It shows his bad side: a populist. And that he is a fanatic believer in France Grandeur. His 'finger' shows: remember! Also: 'remember and be warned'.

On the other side, Turkey is so obsessed with who is in charge in France that it thinks he is the one who can be blamed for Anti-Turkism...
But let's be reasonable: his primary goal is the liberalization of the old socialistic French republic. I don't think Turkey is high in his agenda.
It looks like, according the Turkish press, that only Germany, France and sometimes the UK have a say in Turkey's EU bid. They are deadly wrong.
Turkey simple doesn't understand the consensus policy which dominates the EU. A policy which can be more efficient than any other system.

The ride of my life! A roller coaster...

Just back from an exhausting trip of 42 hours to Amsterdam and back to Istanbul.
Beside the discouraging information my Turkish friends and partners faced, they had still fun, although we all almost fell asleep during a dinner on Monday night..!!!
But our flight yesterday back to Istanbul is another story. It started good; we were all upgraded to business class.
The captain told that the trip would be quick. Clear view, no delays expected.

Flying to Turkey means flying over Hungary, and there the troubles started: lots of turbulence first and then suddenly coffee and wine was flying around in the cabin and people became really afraid; the plane hit a bubble in the air. Just in an area with a lot of thunder and light. So, the pilots started to climb over these nasty clouds, which took 30 minutes.
But compliments to the captain who kept all the time the passengers informed.
In the end, we arrived 30 minutes before planned arrival time in Istanbul.

Turkey for sale? Turkey submissive?

Sorry to say, but I see more and more comments in the Turkish press and on blogs that the AK government is submissive to the EU...
To help everybody out this fable: Turkey is the only country since the establishment of the EEG (former name of the EU) which tries over and over again to change the criteria of a club they want to be a member of...the Copenhagen Criteria, Treaty of Maastricht, Treaty of Nice...and even the CA, the 'constitution' of the EU..

And then, you have these people who are saying that this government is selling this country out, while Turkey has the most restricted rules of the greater European area regarding foreign investments and buying property.
And did Turkey not confiscate property of 'their' foreigners over the last 100 years?