the protests in turkey

everyone has been asking if we are safe amidst the ongoing protests here in turkey.  in a word, yes, we are!  we have not joined the protests which, i think, is the only way we could possibly be put in danger due to them. but we have certainly been affected by them.  here in ankara, they are taking place each afternoon/night in the downtown areas.  we've closed the office early each day to avoid getting caught in the mobs, as our office is located nearby the gathering points.  each night from our home we hear the sounds of folks demonstrating their support for the cause, by driving around honking their horns, banging on drums and pans, and waving flags.  at nine o'clock each night, our neighborhood lights up with flashing lights (supporters in their homes turning their lights on and off for several minutes) and the noise of banging pots & pans and whistles.  it's pretty neat to witness (neater still when it doesn't wake up emre).

i was walking down a major boulevard near the office yesterday morning, when i passed a grocer that is a major supplier of liquor for the surrounding area.  they typically have a display of rows upon rows of bottles of whiskey in their front window.  the display has been replaced with only two bottles, which anchor a large turkish flag bearing ataturk's face.  a very clear message on where they stand with the protests, and the recent limitations on the sale and marketing of alcohol in turkey.  if you look, you can see these messages throughout the city.

this week ben had to be in istanbul to join a visiting delegation.  their hotel, the hilton, is located just outside of taksim, which has been the center of the protests.  the hotel overlooks besiktas stadium (which is under construction and was overrun by protesters on sunday night) and dolmabahce palace, where there has been much action each night.  ben has been able to see the smoke rising from the tear gas, as well as helicopters flying overhead and he's heard plenty of noise from all the action.  he sat on his balcony on monday night until the tear gas became too strong and he had to go inside.  so, he's definitely getting an eye-witness account of it all.

on the one hand, we're excited to be witnessing history here in turkey - just one more chapter of a history that is fraught with the struggle to maintain a very delicate balance between secularism and piety.  on the other hand we're just hoping it doesn't get too out of control, that the protesters can maintain site of their cause; that it doesn't turn too violent.

below are some pictures that ben took in taksim square, an area that has been overtaken by the protesters.  he was there during the day, when things were relatively quiet.    please keep turkey in your thoughts, and know that we are safe.

view from the hotel: smoke rising over the city