A TURKISH TRAVELOGUE: INCISIVE, INSIGHTFUL, AND NOT OBJECTIVE

So I know some of you have those special eyeglasses which allow you to look into the computer and see me. Some others have that special camera gizmo which allows you to do the same thing. For those of you who cannot see me, I am sitting here at the desk playing with the tassle on my fez as I puff madly on my hookah and re-arrange my caftan which is itching like hell. What ever--here are some thoguhts/facts/opinions about our recent trip to Turkey. Bet you missed me.

-Before we went to Venice, no one told me Venice was an island and had no cars. I had to discover that for myself. Likewise, none of you told me 90% of Turkey's land is in Asia. I have been to Asia is now something I can boast about much like I just snuck in the fact that I also have been in Italy.
-99% of Turkey is Muslim. A friend told me before we left that the most secular part of the country is the military and that the military keeps "the lid" on any extremist tendencies.
-Did you know that in the 1920's thee was a poplulation exchange: Turks living in Greece were exchanged for Greeks living in Turkey. Unfortunatley, that sometimes meant fisherman landed on farms and had to learn farming. But large numbers of folks were involved.
-We are in a cab on a narrow one way Istanbul street. Our driver comes to the end of the street where he must make another turn onto another one way street ( a right turn). He prefers, however, going left and to accomplish that trick, he gets out of the cab and proceeds to direct the traffic on that one way street (traffic which included a police car). Meanwhile, Barbara and I are sitting in the cab listening to the honks of the cars behind us. Those drivers get out to yell at our cabby until he gets back in and does make the illegal left. Point is: don't let anyone ever tell you how bad Boston drivers are; Turkish cab drivers are the worst.
-The Great Bazaar is stupendous and overwhelming but we liked the Spice market just as much. Aisles and aisles of spices piled in in an array of colors and smells.
-The country is the second largest in Europe after Russia--even though only 10% is in Europe. Point is, it is huge.
-The Turkish soccer team lost twice while we were there--once to Germany (expected) and once to Azerbajan (not expected). Front page news in every Turkish daily and there are many dailies in Istanbul not just two or three. Including one in English.
-In the most rural of villages we visited, everyone has a dish, everyone has a solar panel for hot water not heat, and everyone is yakking on their cell phone.
-No one has heard of decaf coffee or margarine.
-Each of the 3 guides we used took us to their "special" rug factory. I have to say the rugs were beautiful and if not for Barbara, I would be expecting a big shipment any minute now. They all had little guys to run the carpets in, lay them out, and show them. Some even offered us tea.
-Drank more tea than I have ever had in my life. In these little glassess with those "old fahsioned" sugar cubes.
-Dont want to be too "America is the best"--but our dentists are better than theirs.
-And, no thanks, I don't want mayo on everything I eat.
-Istanbul is aplit by the Bosporos Straits and that waterway further separates the country into a European side and an Asian side. Turkey borders Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
-So we are in a tourist trap of a wine shop when up pulls a big old tourist bus full of Syrians mostly women. They get off the bus, enter the shop, and seemingly go berserk buying shit. These were "modern" Muslim women all bejeweled, made up, and smoking like fiends.
-Speaking of smoking, most restaurants in Istanbul ban it but once you move into the country all bets are off and not just about smoking. The country becomes more "traditional" (meaning more religiously conservative) the further east you go.
-In Bodrum, a resort city on the Aegean, almost every sailboat in the marina was wodden and gorgeous.
-The level of sophistication of the people who built and lived in some of these ancient (and recently excavated) cities is remarkable. Running water anyone? Libraries? Hospitlas? Toilets? Just incredible.
-During WWII, the Turkish government actively sought out Jewish European intellectuals and scientists both to save them from the Nazis and to staff their universities. They saved many-A great trip with a few minor hiccups along the way and two ugly layovers At Heathrow. And Steffen, by the way, those couches you said they had--nope.

SPORTS TALK
--Danny emiled me scores via Barbara's blackberry regularly--what a reporter he was. So I was wrong about my Yanks but right on about Michigan. RichRod out there in Ann Arbor is on the verge of another mediocre if not losing season. He should be sent to his room and join AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez. Or kicked to the curb or both.
-I am writing this on the verge of game 6 with the Rangers. I'm now thinking that even if the Yanks win tonight, Cliff Lee has looked unhittable. On the other hand, I don't trust the Texas middle relief and if the Rangers can be forced to use them, there is a chance.
-Kudos to the Bruins for playing so many young energetic kids. I hope they can sustain it. And they are fun to watch.
-Ditto to the Pats. If you remember, I believed the more the defense played, the better they would get. and they too are very very young including what could be the two best young safeties in the NFL.
-Not sure about the Celtics given their age but I do hope they crush Miami next week just so the folks down South start worrying right away.

That's about it.

Sayonara

A FEW BRIEF AND CHOICE WORDS

Barbara and I take a big silver bird tonight on our way to Istanbul. She is a fearless flyer. I am a tepid and anxious one--stomach already rumbling and now the new alerts all over Europe. Each of you should now close your eyes and give both Barbara and me kisses on both cheeks and big hugs (as in Europe) as we say fare well. SMOOCH, SMOOCH, SQUEEZE.

So Mr. Barack did the best he could and got Elizabeth Warren into a position where she will have a big role in the structure of the consumer protection agency. I guess those wonderful folks in congress would have tied her nomination up forever. Nate Silver and his voting analysis must have gotten a deal with the NY times cuz that's where you find him these days. Forget the governor's races cuz you have to be crazy to want to be a governor given the budget problems. Nate is still predicting a House run by Republicans but the gap is slightly narrower than it was. And he is predicting the Senate remains Democratic by narrow margin. He believes Boxer will win in California. What worries me is Russ Feingold is on the ropes in Wisconsin. Very scary.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT SPORTS/IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT IS

When Anna was a fanatic red flop fan in high school, I always admired her steady faith in HER team. Even in the worst of times, she was there with them. I have discovered in these last few weeks that I am not that kind of fan. The Yanks stumbled and still managed to make it into the playoffs. I jumped off their ship fast and moved onto the Pats, the Bruins, and the Celtics. My realization is that I am not just a fair weather fan but a fan of winners. Don't want to be on that boat when the losses pile up. Some of you red flop fans are like Anna. I will never be.

I don't think life will be any easier for Mr. Barack without Rahm and with a less abrasive person now in charge. I thought he was not abrasive enough and if you have been following Doonesbury, you know the theme recently has been to try and get the president to stop taking chill pills. The Republicans were bold, brassy, and gummed up things without control of the House. With control, there could be two years of stagnation. And that's just about the best scenario. I actually would love to see them try to take back health care reform now that some of the most sensible pieces have been activated.

THIS IS ABOUT SPORTS
I think Michigan will lose one of these days and I still detest their coach. But if you have not seen their qb, Dennard Robinson, whoa--he is mighty exciting. He also could get hurt very quickly since he has the ball so much of the time--he is their leading rusher in addition to being the leading passer.

I am guessing the Pats lose tonight down in Miamah. They have gotta be hoping that the defense will mature the more games they play. Otherwise it is a .500 season.

Mr. Shaughnessy wrote a good season review of the red flops and also managed to take a few swipes at Theo. Just don,t know whey he does that and what he does not like abou him. But Mr. Dan cannot quite zip it up even when he writes good pieces.

Scene in Newport where the Celtics are training: A bar on Thames street (mostly white, let's be honest). The door opens and Shaq, the other O'neal and Perk stroll in with about 10 other African American guys behind them all over 6 feet 8. Whats that like for the yachtsmen in the bar?

If I see Zdeno Chara in a European airport I will immediately attempt to reach up and shake his big hand. After all, they are in Prague this week and it is a small place!!

Yankees will surprise me if they make it to the world series. no pitching. But I will say this. Cano is the best second basemen in the game--200 hits, 100 runs , 100 rbis, 29 hrs--and less than five errors. And don't even think about telling me about Pedroia who is very good but on a different planet. In honor of Abe's approaching 100, I am rooting for SF.

That's about it. Take care of this country while we are gone and if you read the glenn beck article in this week's times, you know you need to.

Sayonara.