- Destination Updates
- Testing the Compression Straps
- Auspicious Beginnings
- Even Old New York was Once New Amsterdam
- Accidentally in Asia
- European Capital of Culture
- Father of the Turks
- Morning in Cappadocia
- Ask an Imam
- Cleaning Up
- The Cast
- The Long Goodbye
- Our Fearless Leader
- Survivor: Istanbul Finalists
- Asia Minor Gallery
- Istanbul Notes
- Ankara Notes
- Cappadocia Notes
- Antalya Notes
- Konya Notes
- Ephesus Notes
As our departure date nears, our destination seems to figure more and more in the news.
On the positive side, a mass was held in the Armenian Holy Cross church on Akhtamar island in Lake Van for the first time in almost 100 years (link: BBC). This is widely viewed as a step towards improving relations with neighboring Armenia.
On the uncertain side, the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) have extended their Ramadan cease fire against the Turkish military for a week (link: Google/AP). Ceasefires can be good. Although ceasefires that may expire when we are in country are greeted with a bit less enthusiasm.
The other big news making the rounds was the recent referendum (September 12, 2010) that strengthens the hand of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Despite the 58% voting in favor of the referendum, news agencies are split about if the results are a good or bad thing. While the measures increase privacy and bar gender discrimination, they also increase the size of the judiciary while giving the PM greater influence in selecting jurists (link: Economist, Google/AP). The only thing the pundits seem to agree upon is that time will tell.
