Day Opening - December 24

Turku, Finland

Day Opening - 23 December

Burj Arab and Palm Island, Dubai,UAE

Happy

Happy Bayram!
And Happy Christmas.
Peace upon everybody.
Greetings from Dubai.

Christmas and New Year Decorations

I wanted to share some photos from here in Dubai; most of the Shopping malls are decorated for Christmas and New Year. I guess we do have more decorations than anywhere in the World:) All for tourists and 60% expats who lives here.

Day Opening - December 22

Jerusalem, Israel.

Day Opening - December 21

The lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis.

One of the six national 'nature symbols' of Finland.

Day Opening - December 20

Sarkozy's new love.

A big mystery (from wikipedia)

Dr. Fuat Deniz (24 July 1967 – 13 December 2007) was a Swedish sociologist and writer of Assyrian descent.
He worked as a lecturer in sociology at the Department of Social and Political Sciences at Örebro University.
Deniz was born as the oldest son into a Christian Assyrian family in the village of Kerburan in the Tur Abdin region of south east Turkey. He came to Sweden with his parents as an eight-year old and grew up in Örebro.[1]
In his youth he was active in the Assyrian Youth Federation in Sweden, which he also co-founded, and was also a diligent writer for the Swedish National Assyrian Federation's magazine Hujådå.[2] He finished his doctoral thesis in sociology at Uppsala University in 1999.
In his thesis, titled En minoritets odyssé ("The Odyssey of a Minority"), he discussed the experiences of Assyrians coming to Sweden in the 1970s.
Deniz was a well known figure among the Assyrian community in Sweden and was also internationally known for his research on the Assyrian Genocide.

On 11 December 2007, at approximately 15.30 CET, Deniz was stabbed on campus at Örebro University by an unidentified perpetrator.[3] He later died from his injuries at Örebro University Hospital.[4] The Swedish police are investigating several leads and have also been in contact with the Swedish Security Service, due to a possible political motive behind the murder.[5] Several of Deniz' academic colleagues in Sweden have been threatened due to their work relating to the Assyrian Genocide and Armenian genocide, which is a controversial issue especially among Turkish nationalists.[6]

Day Opening - December 19

Croatia, the Mediterranean.

Cartoon crisis in the Netherlands?

Last week the Dutch retailer Dixons distributed its new special Christmas magazine.
But some Christian clubs complained at the Dutch Advertisement Code and Ethics commission.
For them several cartoons about the birth of Jesus are blasphemy.
On one of the cartoons you see the Three Wise men of the East looking for Jesus with a TomTom (GPS system). Another one shows Jesus laying down and listening with his iPod to 'Dreaming of a White Christmas'.
I think they have a slight chance to stop the distribution of these magazines.
It's now waiting on the first threats...))

Day Opening - December 18

Edinburgh castle, Scotland.

Day Opening - December 17

Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

No other religions than Islam allowed....

How brain dead you can be...

Here is our friend, Ali Kulebi. Again with an article for which he would be prosecuted under several international laws for inciting hate, giving false information and providing fake statements to provoke war. But the guy seems to be a hero for some Turks. And for sure, he hates everything which is not 'Turkic':

Today the primary and the particular threat for Turkey is not the Middle Eastern or Near Eastern countries where our brothers live but it is Greece, which aims to weaken us by every means and supports the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and which overcharges us at every international platform, and makes alliances with our neighboring countries against us. It is absolutely clear that if Greece believes that it has reached our military power at one day, it would certainly attack Turkey without any question.

That he can write this statements freely in Turkish Daily News, shows how mature this newspaper is. But at the same time, how immature he is.

My dear friend Erkan wrote on his blog that I am biased against Turkey-EU. Yep, I became since Turkey is biased about everything which has to do with the EU, USA, in fact the whole world...'Give up your arms' and 'Make Peace not War'...would be an proper strategy for Turkish foreign policy.

Here Ali his points.

Smoking in Turkey

For people who came to Istanbul, these kind of taxi's is familiar for them: the Tufas.Lined up here at a taxi place.
They were (and are) still cheap. But several things changed dramatically.
First, there is a legal ban of smoking in taxi's, both for the driver's as the passengers as well. And second, the Tufas is not there anymore. Most taxi's are now Fiat's, Honda's and even VW's etc.
And about smoking in taxis', just asked the driver if you can light up a cigarette, he will do it as well, as he will be relieved by the words: 'Can I smoke'. Most of the time he will offer you a cigarette and show a hidden ashtray..))

Day Opening - December 16

The Amalfi coast is maybe the most beautiful areas in the world I've travelled to and through.

Its extraordinary coastline, mixed with the beautiful Mediterranean sea, and its extra ordinary views, makes this part of Italy a 'go-go' place.

The Amalfi coast is often used in famous movies...we can mention some big names..))

Its' fun to drive there, but be sure that you drive on the right side of of the road. Some British tourist are sometimes so confused because of all the beauty...they take the wrong lane..

One of the most beautiful points.

Can you live here?

I have amazing pictures of the Greece Islands. But too bad, not that many of the Turkish touristic areas, which are polluted, spoiled, and desolated by their owners.

Get Educated and shut up?!

Not that long ago a co-blogger and friend of mine described the Turkish educational system as that one of 'Get Educated and Shut up'. In fact, many Turkish friends, especially those who went abroad for an additional education, always complained about how Turkey 'maintain' their 'teach and learn' system. In professional life, I encountered often the will of the Turks to learn and the will to work. But often they didn't know how to be pro-active, or anticipate on, or plan situations. And yes, I miss some creativity as well.
Super Hero wrote about the influence of YOK, unique in its sort in the modern world. I agree completely with his comments.
Also, today Mustafa wrote an excellent column about this issue. Here the start and link.

Why Turks love conspiracy theories (I)
Saturday, December 15, 2007 - Turkish Daily News

Why conspiracy theories are so popular and credible in Turkey? Here are some of the answers I have found
Mustafa AKYOL

Anybody who spends time in Turkey will notice that conspiracy theories are amazingly popular here. Many Turks believe that there are so many evil powers in the world, and in our own society that perpetually play tricks in order to weaken our country. Mapping out these imagined plots is a sort of national pastime.

Since a belief in conspiracies is deeply embedded in culture, politicians use them very often. Most political leaders, or pundits, blame “foreign powers” or “internal enemies” for our problems. Even whey they are caught by paparazzis during inappropriate meetings with their “secretaries,” they confidently accuse their rivals to have designed that “conspiracy.” It is always someone else who must be guilty.
But why? Why are conspiracy theories so popular and credible in Turkey? I have been thinking on that for sometime, and here are some of the answers I have found.
Why not move on?:

First, one has to acknowledge the weight of history. The two final centuries of the Ottoman Empire was an era of continuous defeats and land losses to hostile powers. Moreover, when the Empire finally fell, Turkey proper was occupied by the British, the French, the Italians, and the Greeks. The infamous Treaty of Sevres (1920) gave great chunks of land to all these nations, and it also introduced the idea of a greater Armenia and a Kurdistan on Turkish lands. If Sevres were executed, Turkey would be one-fifth its current size.
Read further here.

Day Opening - December 15

Bucharest, Romania.

Turkey and the EU

It became clear the last weeks that the Turkey will never be an EU member.
The hopes were high until last year, but its obvious that the Turkish government stalled the reform process which makes it necessary for each aspirant member to fulfill its obligations. No excuses anymore. So simple is that. In the meanwhile, the EU moves on.
While some Turkish columnists believe that Turkey is the only country which is left out by the EU, they forget that Israel and Morocco where immediately rejected by the same council. And it shows how badly the Turkish public is informed about the EU process. Not the EU but the current Turkish government are using the EU as a carrot.
Its for me simple: deeply in their heart both sides don't want to go further, but for the sake of promises which were made long time ago, they keep on talking.
I remember ten years ago a discussion, in the Netherlands. People don't want that 'Turkish generals have a say' in EU politics. They have a say in the NATO.
If I see how careless they still deal with this for Europeans sensitivity issue, its the best to opt out and look for another option. Together with so many issues, it really doesn't make sense to talk further. Turkey has to become a democracy first, a real one. No place for radical Kemalism, and or radical Islamism.

Day Opening - December 14

Fado performance, Lisbon.

How to pay a bill...

We’ve all experienced it, an awkward situation when the bill comes up after a dinner with a group. You know the drill… some people say they didn’t drink and some of them probably actually are telling the truth, but you’ve been having to much ‘fun’ to notice or to care about it. Others didn’t order a 18 YTL starter and emphasize that but forget to say that they had that Irish Coffee… Well whatever it is, it is always a hassle.
So here are five ways how to settle the bill:

1. Go Dutch, as the Americans would say. This means that you divide the bill through all people.
2. The pricky way. This is hard and you need to have some calculating skills. Everybody is paying for what they ordered. What did you have? ok that’s 35 YTL then. next…
3. Banking style. Everybody pays whatever they think they should pay and than there is one guy or girl who will cover ‘the rest’.
4.The Entrepreneurial way! One person pays for all of it and says: I’ve had a great dinner and time with you and as I just sold my company I’ll be more than happy to take care of the bill. You were my guests tonight.
5. Play for it! The Credit card game. (probably my favorite) This is fun! If everybody is wining about not splitting the bill equally (or nobody has sold their company lately) I suggest to put everybody their credit card into a hat and let the waitress pick one card who pays for all!It is very exciting (as you probably can imagine).

But there is a way out, as not all people are risk seekers/entrepreneurs, every one can ‘buy’ oneself out for the average price of the bill plus a small “chicken out” premium of lets say 2 euros (hey I’m Dutch, we have euros).
The funny thing is that a lot of people finally will agree to put it the average price plus the premium although they didn’t agree with splitting the bill in the first place. Some people stay in the game for the fun and excitement of it, the others who chickened out are watching the ‘ceremony’ with the waitress picking one card and have fun as well.
This is a win-win-win situation. The people who chickened out feel winners because they paid their part, had a great evening and didn’t lose the game, the people who put in there credit card and won the game win for obvious reasons (they had a free dinner which made their evening) and the loser is a winner because he/she has a story to tell (its bloggable)!

Day Opening - December 13

Lucia's Day Sweden

Day Opening - December 12

Early winter in Nowy Sącz, Poland.

According McKinsey...

...the GCC states (Gulf Cooperation Council) account for nearly a quarter of worldwide announced capacity expansions planned over the next five years.
-Natural gas costs much less in the Gulf region than in other markets.
-Structural advantages make aluminum production 30 percent cheaper in the Gulf than in China or Western Europe.

Its now waiting how Turkey will 'behave' as a transit country...
Here the report.

Day Opening - December 11

The former American Vice-President Al Gore and chairman Rajendra Pachauri of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) received in Oslo the Nobel price for Peace.

Euro against the US Dollar?

I moved in August 2002, from Miami to Istanbul. Immediately, a Turkish company hired me as an International Communication manager. My first advice to them: 'Change your contracts from US dollars to Euros, which they didn'. The US Dollar/Euro was 1.10. Now almost 1.50. Other companies which I helped since then, changed their contracts into Euro contracts. Below a compilation of articles and my opinion regarding the Euro-US Dollar situation. I predict that that the Euro will go up to 1.75 against the US Dollar by the end of 2008 (the people who told me that I was nuts in 2002/3/4/5/6 etc. are the same people who are telling you that I am an idiot by saying this)
Maybe some candidate on the presidential front in the USA have some really good new ideas. For sure not the Republicans candidates: The USA is in depth with the EU for 600 billion Euros (no dollars) now. In fact, the European consument pays the depths of the Americans. He...and soon we will have a 'Free of Green Bucks zone's': stop with hedonism and greediness...))

---
The decline of the dollar, symbol of US global hegemony for the best part of a century, may have become so entrenched that some experts now fear it is irreversible.

After months of huge and sustained turmoil on the money markets, lack of confidence in the world's totemic currency has become so widespread that an increasing number of international traders are transferring their wealth to stronger currencies such as the euro, which recently hit its highest level against the dollar.

The problem is so serious that there are people who in July or August might have been thinking, 'I'm paid in dollars, how annoying' for whom it's now a question of, 'Do you have a job; do you have a bonus?' "The collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market in the US, which is fuelling the dollar unrest, has already brought down one British bank, Northern Rock, and has forced others to declare vast losses.

Huge numbers of US homeowners are still cushioned by introductory interest rates set when they took out loans in 2005 or 2006. When these introductory offers run out, their interest payments will increase, setting off another wave of defaulting and repossessions. And the dollar is enduring its rockiest spell in recent memory.

Kenneth Froot, a Harvard university professor and former consultant to the US Federal Reserve, warned: "Part of the depreciation [of the dollar] is permanent. There is no doubt that the dollar must sink against periphery currencies to reflect their increase in competitiveness and productivity."

Professor Riordan Roett, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, told Bloomberg News: "There is a loss of confidence in the dollar and the US. It may only reflect the widespread dismay with the Bush administration, but it is obvious that the next administration, of either party, will have a steep uphill struggle."

As well as reaching its lowest level against the euro, which has been trading at more than $1.48, the dollar has also fallen to its lowest level against the Canadian dollar since 1950, sterling since 1981, and the Swiss franc since 1995.

Its plight was made still worse by a jarring signal from China that it was switching to other currencies.

Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, told a conference in Beijing: "We will favour stronger currencies over weaker ones, and will readjust accordingly. "The warning was reinforced by a Chinese central bank vice-director, Xu Jian, who said the dollar was "losing its status as the world currency".

China has stockpiled £700bn worth of foreign currency, and has only to decide to slow its accumulation of dollars to weaken the currency further. Last month, in a humiliating turn of events, the central bank in Iraq, four years after the United States invaded, stated that it wished to diversify reserves from a reliance on dollars.

Korea's central bank has urged shipbuilders to issue invoices in the local currency and take precautions against the weakened dollar, and three of the world's big oil exporters, Iran, Venezuela, and Russia, are demanding payment in euros rather than dollars.

Iran insisted that Japan should make all its payments for oil in yen, rather than dollars.

Warren Buffet, who is reputedly the richest man in the world, was asked on the US network CNBC last month what he thought was the best currency in the world to own now.
He answered: "Not the US dollar."


The Wall Street Journal ran an online poll asking people which currency, they would prefer to be paid in.

The euro came top, ahead of sterling, with others such as the Canadian dollar, yen and Swiss franc trailing far behind.

One respondent wrote: "Being an expat in Europe with a European employment contract, I am paid in euros, and happy to get paid in euros, and shop in the US, just as long as the cycle lasts through my retirement, so I can pick up pension in Europe and retire in the US."

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice since September to revive the US economy, but the cuts – combined with the possibility that more were on the way – made the dollar less attractive to investors.

Christopher Heywood, director of tourism PR for NYC & Company, said he expected the dollar crisis to attract yet more British shoppers. "The savvy traveller who's coming here for the shopping can really get a bargain. They're coming with one suitcase and leaving with two or three," he said."We have people coming over here even for weekend trips to shop for the famous brand names. People are coming for the department stores that everyone around the world knows, but also for the boutique stores out of the centre of Manhattan, anything from Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue to Bleecker Street in the West Village and SoHo."

In fact, all the bully talk about Europe and the EU is to keep our citizens unaware for upcoming dangers: does the USA needs wars?

Day Opening - December 10

Donau, Budapest, Hungary

Offensive or an insult

The German Sculptor, Olaf Metzel, made this sculpture and called it 'Turkish Delight'. Its placed on the campus of an university in Vienna, Austria.
Personally, it not my taste, but I don't see that this sculpture has to be removed what several Austrian citizens of Turkish decent asked for. Is it insulting? No, in my opinion. Can you be offended by this? I really don't know. But there is a fine line between insulting and feeling offended. I saw horrible sculptures about the holocaust, terrible sculptures about all kind of tragic events in world history. But when we are going to mengle in artistic freedom...that's the beginning of the end. That this sculpture is provocative, nothing wrong with. But nothing offensive, and for sure not insulting. I saw terrible insulting cartoons about European leaders etc. here in Turkey. For me is the fine line between insulting and offending a simple one: the first is to harm someone on purpose. The second too often used too break down any form of dialogue. And more a personal reaction on something you dislike.
Also...too much attention for this provocative guy, Olaf Metzel.

Day Opening - December 9

Dutch Antilles, South America.

The Dutch Antilles are a a well known place as a stop for cruises.

Today, exactly 27 years ago

Fans mourn Lennon's death outside the Dakota Building, New York, where he was shot on 8 December 1980.

Day Opening - December 8

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.

Turkish police and taxi drivers

When I read on holiday sites about Turkish taxi drivers that they are a bunch of cowboy's, forget it: they are wonderful comparing with taxi drivers elsewhere. Read here my opinion.
The same with police men/women. They have a bad imago, but in reality, they are more friendly than those in other countries I've been. Only don't ask them the way, when you are lost, they simple don't know...
I have some good experiences with them. And yesterday, when my wife had an accident, they called her when she was at home: if she was safely arrived and was doing well? Yes, this makes them unique, and they deserve a better salary than what they get paid. The screamers in Turkey that they have a right in the EU, they don't belong there, but the ordinary Turks, who struggle day by day, they deserve a better life, with or without the EU.

Day Opening - December 7

Hotel American, Amsterdam.

Rome is it.

“You cheer my heart, who build as if Rome would be eternal.” - Julius Caesar (63 BC - 14 AD)

I think Rome might possibly be better than Paris. I know. Those are fightin’ words. Maybe I’m still under the magical spell of one of the most amazing cities EVER (Rome, that is), but for the life of me, I can’t help but wonder why the hell on earth Paris is the most visited city in the world, while Rome is in a distant 5th place? That totally baffles the mind. Rome RULEZ - and Paris is totally overrated!

I hear gasps worldwide coming my direction. Pfff. Bring it on…
This opinion is based on my many stays in Paris and Rome - while I actually have spent much more time in Paris as a resident. Perhaps if I lived in Rome, I might have the “honeymoon is over” syndrome? Who knows. For now, this is what I think, and I’m sticking to it.
Rome is better than Paris. Why? How?

- Much much more history in Rome.

- Stunning monuments and ancient ruins practically everywhere you go in Rome.

- Friendly locals in Rome. Um, Paris? hahahaha.

- Better coffee in Rome, hands down.

- The weather in Rome kicks Paris’ ass. So very much.

- The Pantheon, The Arch? THE Originals are in Rome!

- Rome has less POO on the sidewalks.

- Rome doesn’t smell like pee probably because guys in Italy use the toilets instead of walls and alleys.-

- The food in Rome was consistently excellent. Yes, you heard me correctly.

- Happier atmosphere.

- The ocean is nearby.

- Beauty is everywhere.

- Italian is prettier than French. hee!

- Rome is more relaxed.

- Cafe waiters are nice! OMG what a concept, right Paris?

- Cars stop for pedestrians in Rome.

- The Slow Food movement was founded in Rome.

- The Coliseum in Rome was built in 8 years. How long would it take in Paris?

- No bisou politics. A simple one kiss on each cheek in Italy ‘cept starting on the left side.

- Italians love the Dutch, especially those with blue eyes and blond hair...hehe

- Oh please. This list would take me years to complete.

In defense of Paris, I’ll offer these things: 1) Paris is quieter; 2) Paris has more wifi access; 3) Paris pastries are better except perhaps a simple panna cotta ai frutti di bosco; 4) transportation is more extensive but so what; 5) Paris’ marketing is better, which is why so many more people around the world have been brainwashed believe it is the most beautiful city on earth; 6) Parisian women dress better than Roman women; 7) Paris has more cheese.

But not that much as in the Netherlands.

In the end, I am still a cheese head...

Day Opening - December 6

New fashion from Libya.

On your way...

...to a Green Christmas.

Day Opening - December 5

Po Li Monastery, Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

From a a friend, about the Dutch...

Am I a 'Rotterdammer', a 'Hollander' or a world citizen?
Boy, what a ruckus Princess Maxima has created, says a friend of mine.
I remember that when I first came to this country, I thought the life of a novice expat was comparable to having an identity crisis. But it seems that the Dutch who have not even left their own country are now struggling with identity issues.
Maxima's comment that 'the' Hollander does not exist has led to a whirlwind of emotional reactions.
A number are not pleased by Maxima's statement which raises questions about 'the' Dutch identity. These are very serious times with identity as a political agenda item.
Minister of Justice Hirsh Ballin's quest against the double nationality (Volkskrant), for instance. The danger of more than a million citizens in the Netherlands (including their own, who have returned to Holland after having lived abroad) having a double nationality in the near future, is obviously a national threat to be dealt with.
Having the Dutch identity means you are loyal, whereas not having it means, well… I will let you fill in the blanks. Whereas in other countries having a double nationality is actually accepted and is a global trend as well.
Geert Wilders' McCarthyism
Neo-Nazi or X factor?
Wet summers and SUVs
What's in a culture - part I
What happened to those light-hearted days? When the Dutch were not so paranoid about those residents with more than one nationality? What happened to the curiosity and openness towards foreigners? The days in which the Dutch laughed at your silly pronunciation and grammar mistakes? It was all part of the integration game – making mistakes and giggling about them.
When I was still struggling with the Dutch language years ago, I informed the host at a family gathering that I was leaving the party earlier because everyone in the room was “smelly”. Having the flu, the smoke from my relative’s cigarettes irritated my throat. I had mistaken the word "ruiken" for "roken". My sister-in-law looked at me with a big question mark on her forehead. Immediately my Dutch husband, then boyfriend, came to the rescue and explained that what I had meant to say was smoke, not smell. Laughter emanated without a schoolteacher’s lecture.
Nowadays that finger starts waving. You might even be asked whether or not you had actually passed the Dutch citizen exam.
I have not left this country since my arrival more than twenty years ago, except to go on vacation, and I am still amazed that I am actually living in the same country.
Former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, when returning to the Netherlands after a number of years abroad, was shocked by the "rigid" culture which had evolved in the Netherlands over the years. A "de-verdonking" of the Dutch culture was urgently needed, according to Lubbers (Volkskrant).
I often wonder whether Dutch society will remain in this rut and whether the good times will ever come again. What do the Dutch need to lift their spirits and to put an end to these sombre years? I can hardly imagine that making foreigners give up their double nationality will do the trick.

Day Opening - December 4

Göteborg, capital of taste, world culture?