Big ole' protest in Istanbul

So there was this big protest in Istanbul - although it was a fairly positive and festive occasion. I think protest is the wrong word, it was a show of support for the currently secular system that some believe is being undermined by the conservative officials currently in power. The Turks are worried that the current powers that be are going to appoint a Muslim conservative president, thus consolidating the majority of power with one party - much of which has roots in radical Islam. One quote on CNN was from a Turkish woman at the protest who said "I don't want a woman in a headscarf living in Mustafa Kemal's palace, I want modern people" - which I found to be interesting. Maybe it's a Dior headscarf. Although, Mustafa Kemal did ban the wearing of head scarves in government buildings. The AP estimates that 300,000 showed up to protest (plus me, although I just wanted pictures) and Turkish media says about 1 million. What's 700,000 amongst friends, eh? Most people carried flags or pictures of Ataturk (the deified founder of the republic) and some sang songs or chanted. I was surprised at the demographics of the protesters - lots of elderly and if it's anything like America, they're usually right. Press sources, including Zaman, a Turkish paper, and CNN (which you should know) have quoted the military as declaring their right to intervene in the democratic process if secularism is in jeopardy. I have a friend that thinks it would be "kinda cool" if there was a coup while we were here. He's a raging moron. I have another friend, Turkish, who says that protestors also objected to EU and American criticism. The candidate for presidency is named Abdullah and people wore t-shirts saying "No ABDullah" - and ABD is the Turkish name for the United States. It's interesting to watch it all unfold.

But some protestors got a little distracted by the delicious-looking cakes in this shop window

Ok, first the beautiful stuff from my recent vacation to the south of Turkey

So There's This Game Called Long Donkey. . .

A group of young men can play, I think a minimum of 8 or so. First, a dude stands up against a tree, then his buddy sticks his head in his crotch. Then, another friend sticks his head up that guys rear end and so on so that the formation is complete, as seen below. The Long Donkey is ready for attack. . . from behind. Some other dudes take a running start and jump from behind onto the Donkey, trying to topple it. I'm sure every culture has a similar game for young groups of heterosexual men. There's nothing gay or weird about it. Check out that one guy showing the victory sign. “I like to ride my friends” he seems to say. In a fun platonic way.

Well this is just a poor translation

The church of Saint Nicholas in Demre. I never knew Santa was Turkish because he's so often pictured with two eyebrows and smiling.

I learn something new every day.

The tomb of Santa Claus. I couldn't resist, I hopped on top and told it I wanted an ipod phone. Wait, did I say tomb, I meant uhh. . . he's not dead

Wow! I can't believe it's not Roman!

I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your sarcophagus down!

The sunken city at Kekova – it's just some crumbling walls. I was expecting Mermaids and stuff. I mean, why call it that? It's so deceiving

Doesn't it sort of look like this rock is pooping? I love nature

How happy I am to be a Turk. Yeah, that's exactly how I see the Turks – really freaking happy.

Have an emergency in the middle of nowhere?

Just wait until the tide is low and skip rocks across this river to the trailer on the other side for all major surgeries. They specialize in rhinoplasty.

You know how you get a Sherpa when you climb Mount Everest? Well this is what you get in Turkey.

Peekaboo!