taksim

Spent the day in Taksim. This area is what I envisioned Istambul to be like. Lots of little shops, cafes, and galleries. Narrow, steep, streets with cars and people careening everywhere. Most of the morning was spent walking to all the local galleries, but by the evening, people were starting to gather to protest.

I know that EVERYONE (family, friends, government) told me to stay away from the protests. But Sunni and I don't listen. I've never seen so many people in one place outside of a concert. Thousands of people were "sitting in" the streets holding signs and pictures of a protester that was recently killed by the police.

We left the demonstration and went to Taksim square where all the drama has been happening. There were hundreds of police in full riot gear blocking off the park and square, and 50 or so on each corner ready for action. Eventually the "sit in" stood up and marched to confront the police. People chanted and waved flags. Protesters showed up in droves, many with helmets, goggles, and handkerchiefs to ward off the tear gas attacks. All of them looking like normal people, not hooligans or hippies  There were older people and even a few kids with their parents. After about an hour, Sunni decided it was time to go and I listened. I wanted to stay and see the shit hit the fan, but common sense prevailed.

It turns out that that they didn't gas the crowd that night, just kicked everyone out, beat a few people up,  and made some arrests...

black sea - blue mosque

On our first full day in Istanbul Julie's friend drove us out to an abandoned castle on the black sea. I climbed into one of the windows and took a nap and then sat on the rocks and let the warm sea water wash over me.

Yesterday we went the modern art museum and then took a ferry into old town. The old town doesn't look very old, except for the millions of mosque everything is relatively modern. It reminded me a bit of china town (except with more turks). We went to the blue mosque and they made sunni wear a head scarf. The carpet inside was cleaner than any floor i've ever had even though 10,000 + people walk on it everyday. Julie told us to avoid the Grand Bazaar  but we went anyway. Endless stalls of loud people selling garbage. Nothing worth buying, but lots to see.

Turkey 2013!

My good friend juile lives and works in turkey, so based on that alone, it's my first destination this summer. Probably not the best place for tourists right now due to the constant protesting and tear gassing. But I've been tear gassed before  (thanks MSU), so I'm not too worried. No specific plans for the journey, just going where the wind takes me.