Took 12 hours on the bus from Capadoccia to Istanbul/ Constantinople. apart from a few refresher stops, we made a point of stopping at Ankara, the capital to see Attaturks Mausoleum. Garman, our Guide asked for our respect.
Attaturk is the founding father of modern day Turkey as a secular democratic state in 1923, following defeat in WW1, the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire and a revolution to overturn the occupation of Turkey which had been carved up between allied forces.
There were many radical changes including a change in alphabet to Latin, a massive education program and the introduction of sir names. A distinct alignment with Europe while forging a national identity and giving a voice to women and minorities.
Turkey stayed neutral throughout the WWII. However I have heard some horror stories about Turkey and wanted to ask about freedom of the media and treatment of dissidents as hallmarks of democracy.
It's a funny country and I'm trying to make head and tail of an incredibly complex history. The Turks are so Central Asian. They have had tribes come and conquer, or take refuge. and other tribes have left and dispersed. Like the Parachinari refugees who stayed with me were from a Turkish Tribal group who had settled in that area some time ago.
Then there was this huge dominion of the Ottoman Empire for 600 years, over Greece, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Syria, Iran, Iraq, the Stans, North Africa. They seemed to have ruled without regard to anyone and amassed great wealth, some of which we have experienced today in Istanbul.
We booked into our Hotel, then 12 from the bus crew head out to near the Galagas Bridge to celebrate our last night together.
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