Hello from Firuzaga cafe/mosque....

My little cafe..sigh..I've spent a greater part of my time here, and have seen it through many changing seasons. At present the days are overcast with torrential rain storms!! water seeping down the streets, into your shoes, and houses. Unexpected the heavens can open up in a minute and close just as quickly...the environment is going to hell in a handbasket, it was hot and sunny just last sunday, as I rollerbladed near the sea. My one chance of excercise and meditation. The Marmara sea, is an amazing expanse of blue..as far as the eye can sea..(okay Shane, you may think so?what else is new..smiling) but for me..it helps to relax a great deal. So today in my little cafe at exactly 9:05am a siren was heard throughout the city and the world stopped..literally, everyone, got out of their cars and stood up, well me as well. One minute of silence to commerate the death of Ataturk. Was interesting to see. Yes we have become this past year and half a more nationalistic society, almost to the point of fantacism I'm afraid. Red and white flags everywhere!! big, small they hang even when there is nothing to celebrate. There is a sense of f..k the world who needs them, but its a bit scary as well for someone not used to this. Protest rallies, against soldiers dying in Iraq, a marathon which I happened to go to turned into a rally, (i only walked across the bridge, about 8km, not like some others who actually ran the 15km marathon) with flags being distributed and slogans shouted, "turkey won't forget its martyrs (soldiers)and the country wont be divided". People of all ages young and old. Will post pictures of the "marathon"later on a different camera. Most people are worried about the war with Iran, if it will happen etc. But life goes on. I who don't have internet, tv, or buy newspapers(most of them like in the US are owned by the same person who is pro govt, so there is no point really) live relatively stress free in my little cocoon-of work and home. Life is still enjoyable, esp if you enjoy the little things. Like discovering a Belgium restaurant which prepare a wonderful meal of mussels provencal and a cold glass of cold white wine..(may sound trivial when compared to the grand scope of things but you take what you can.) OH! I forgot to mention we met up with two young french travelers. Idealist, ecologically friendly, young (24) they are bicycling from France to India, at least that is the plan, through Iran,Pakistan and on to India. Ivan and Amelie, they play the accordion, and the violin, worked teaching circus acrobatics to children, and studied musicology. They were a breath of fresh air, delightful and full of optimism. They came to Istanbul to get their visas, which they managed to get, and after a week or more with them they left. Good luck to them and I'd love to see them again. They have a web site which I'll post on my blog. Yes,its great opportunity to see the world, but I think after a few months I'd miss a hot shower and a bed..okay I'm a little bourgeois...maybe its age! smiling. I'm still keen on walking for a month, through somewhere, though I'm more prepared mentally then physically!Should I listen to a little bird and remember how to bicycle? (yes you can forget!) Otherwise, the little buggers (kids) make me smile as well as want to pull my hair out, but the week flies by and I'm never bored. Also I'm grateful to be working must amount to something. Planning my semester holiday, in Jan-Feb. Geneva, anyone? Shane the traveler, any suggestions I want to rail around and not just stay in Switz. Sigh..looks like rain..goodbye for now. Genvieve...if you read this, where are you?? Stay well...