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...