There were just a few short stories that I listened from my olders about Ceausescu. Then I had chance to find out more about him when I was reading about signicifant 20th century leaders. And a documentary that I recently watched reminded me of the recent Muammar Gaddafi execution (!). Regardless of any political views, it`s sad to these ends of once world leaders.
Nowadays, it`s been discussed to open a `dictator tourism` in Romania and I totally agree with it. Hiding the history away from the new generations does not make any good. Children must know and learn what has happened in the past. but usually governments have concerns about being that open. Same stories exist also in my country, Turkey.
And right now, Ceausescu couple is lying down in Ghencea cemetery in Bucharest and I wanted to pay a visit before Christmas. Just my curiosity.
Their graveyard is in Cimitirul Civil Ghencea and it`s open at the weekends. Entrance is free. When you step in, you just walk 300 metres and the graveyard is on your left side just opposite the church.
Their graveyard is one of the others. Just a three coloured bouquet on it. Next to me, there was an old lady who came for his son`s graveyard to wish him `Craciun Fericit - Merry Christmas` and with my limited Romanian we had a little conversation about their old leader, as well. It was a different feeling for me trying to help her hang out a little christmas present on her son`s graveyard, Ceausescus lying at my right side.
And I left the place, thinking that maybe they could care about `the history` a bit more.
This guestpost is from Zehra, who is travelling, writing, organizing tours, photoshooting and so on about almost everywhere in the world . You can view her blog here (in Turkish & English) . Zehra, thank you very much for this very interesting post about a refugee camp.
Till now, Lebanon has been the most interesting place for me in Middle East. Poor and rich, Muslim, Christian and Druze, full of contrast, live together here. Muslims live in different conditions here. Lebanese Arab Muslims live in downtown and are in the trade. And the majority Palestines try to survive in Slums or refugee camps. You can not believe what you see in these refugee camps.
We, as 27 photographers, entered in Shatila Refugee Camp to experience these unlucky lives and divided into groups. Once we told them that we were Turk and Muslim, we were very surprized of their reaction towards us. They were so happy to see us and welcomed us so sincerely. A shop owner invited us for a glass of juice, and when we wanted to pay for it, he said this offer would hurt him. Another one calling us from the balcony invited us to his home. We had a tea talk together. There had been no other time that I was so proud to be a Turk. On the other side, no other time that I was so disgusted to be a humanbeing, seeing this cruelty.All these people left their houses, their own lands and trying to live in these bad conditions in a refugee camp.
In all the houses and shops, you could see posters, pictures related to Israel. On some of the walls, we could see flags of Palestine. They did not even let us take photos in some of the places. They did not want these strategic places to be transcribed. It was logical if you thought how many times they had been under attack. According to the records, on 16-18 September 1982, Israel soldiers killed 3.500 civilians in 2 days in Sabra and Shatila camps. And last bombing was, as we all remember, in 2006. All damaged and destroyed buildings are left in Shatila. These left grey buildings made the camp even more tragic.
In the entrance, there were armed soldiers or civilian dressed watchers. Their main purpose was to protect themselves against an unexpected attack, once again. Just a while after, one of these watchers (followers) stopped us and asked where we were from. After a phone call, he took us away to a shop. We, a group of 10, entered the shop. A guy welcomed us on the door and told us not to take any photos here and leave the place. We thanked him and continued our way in little back streets. And, just like in the movies, 3 guys with 2 motorcycles stopped us just at the corner. They started to question who we were. All had sun glasses covering their tough faces. We talked in English and told that we were Turk and Muslim. Then they wanted to check our cameras, which we were afraid of the most. I felt like I was in a film studio. I realized that we were in a really dangerous place. I started to show the photos without taking my camera off my neck. We told them all photos are permitted. And once again, we were safe because of being Turk and Muslim.
But when we continued to walk through the streets, the motorcycles continued to invade us, passing between us again and again. Of course, without an identity check, it was impossible to convince that we were Turk and Muslim. We decided to leave the camp because of these behaviours. When we were back to our hotel, we found out that our other friends had the same problems. Some of our friends were stucked in a clash between the police, soldiers and civilians. When the panzers and tanks were coming, they were taken to another house to be interrogated. When they were escaping, they saw some kids eating watermelons in the garbage, but they could not dare to photo.
I lost myself. I haven`t seen such a confusion, such lost lives. I am back from Lebanon, but my heart is still there. Anyone going to Lebanon, must at least take a look in Shatila refugee camp and then thank God for his/her freedom.
This guestpost is from Irem, who has been sincerely blogging about her trips . You can view her blog here (in Turkish) . Irem, thank you very much for your support and wish to enjoy your all incoming trips...
First of all, I want to say something to Greek Ministry of Tourism or Foreign Affairs : We were in Bodrum, it was crowded, my mind was messed up, I needed to get out of this crowd. Actually, I had been thinking of going to Rhodes, before coming here. Going there from either Bodrum or Marmaris and coming back the same day.
I was checking out the ferry timetable and my friend Ece immediately called her father to take care of me in Rhodes. Of course, this made me totally lazy ! No maps, no search, no details...We took the 8.30 ferry from Bodrum, the ferry which was freezing inside. I was regretful that I haven`t taken any towels or loincloths while wearing my bikinis. I was frozen in this 2.5 hours road because of air-conditioner.
When we arrived in Rhodes, a warm sticky weather welcomed us. First, I was afraid, but then I learned that Ece`s father, Ceyhun, was coming to pick me up with his motorcycle. I would be on the motorcycle and the wind would blow me up.
First Ceyhun and then Rhodes castle and city walls welcomed me. While passing through the castle to the old bazaar, I was feeling like I was getting closer to Cyprus or Grand Bazaar (Istanbul). I could not feel like I was in a greek island, yet. The architecture proves that once the history of Rhodes was full of pirates, cavaliers, Ottomans, Italians and Greeks. Ceyhun took me to all Turkish shop owners and introduced me to them, one by one. Everyone was a little bit worried, maybe because of being a part of minority.
At the end of old bazaar, we stopped in `Hafiz Ahmet Aga Library`. The library was closed and when we tried to get in the garden, a greek look like Turkish lady opened the door. She was the wife of library manager Yusuf. They welcomed us into the breezy garden. That day, Turkish minister of foreign affairs, Davut Guloglu and greek ministers had a secret meeting, but as Yusuf was aware whole Rhodes was aware of this meeting, as well. The reason of the meeting was visa-free travelling option for Turkish travellers who are going to 12 Greek islands of struggled Greece.
This topic has been talked every year but hopefully this summer they will be able to solve it, I don`t want to go to Mytilene alone.
Yusuf invited me to show inside the library, me coming from far away. Irem, you are lucky anytime ! In the library, there were special manuscripts, even one of the two Qurans was in this little special library.
After Hafiz Ahmet Aga Library, we reached the Cavalier Path. In old times, cavaliers were walking on this stone path. How magnificient it was !
After visiting historical houses and Ece`s grandparents` old house, it was time to get on the motorcycle. First Mandraki, then Rhodes monumental area, Nisantasi-like new bazaar, tomb that I forgot the name, Cretan neighborhood, big hotels with casinos, amazing beaches and Ceyhun`s farm house...In Rhodes you can jump to the sea anywhere you want, just like Kos. Plus, they are free, public beaches. All of them are turquise colour, glassy with sand or pebbles. Motorcycle was quite common in Rhodes, but I haven`t seen that many ATVs as in other islands. Anyways, I was enjoying my moto ride. When we arrived in the farm, Ece`s aunt and uncle welcomed us. As we were full, they invited us for a delicious Turkish coffee. Just after, corn fig. Normally, fig is not good for my migraine, but this was something else. After coffee session, we had a walk in the garden, full of fruit trees. The land was huge, even they have sold a part of it.
On our way back, we climbed up to the hill to have a Rhodes view from the top. I saved this image into my mind instead of my camera as I wanted to share it clearly and fully with you.
Rhodes was full of Ottoman work. Some of them were protected and some, almost lost. And Rhodes governorship wasn`t doing much to protect them, as they said so. Even they are not so willing in keeping the Ottoman touch, the island has a very important geographical and historical position, mainly because of Ottoman effect.
Until I heart freeshop seller`s greek accent, I haven`t really recognized that I was in a Greek island. I had only one contrition in this trip. Although I very much like travelling alone, next time I want to take someone with me, I need to have also pictures with myself :)
At the end, I want to say something to Turkish Ministry of Tourism or Foreign Affairs, anyone who can hear me....
I do not so much write about `places` like hotels, restaurants, cafes, etc in this blog unless it really amazes me. And this time, Anastasia Meziki did. So I sincerely want everyone visiting Buyukada (one of Prince Islands in Istanbul) to visit this historic mansion as well. And it`s a kind of `thank you` for Ismail Sarikaya, the manager of the place.
I have visited the islands many times before but this time was a very special one and this place made it extremely special for me. Let me describe shortly about Buyukada on December. Unlike summer season, Buyukada is almost empty, with islanders and few foreigners, streets are lonely after 6 p.m., weather is so clean and refreshing and relaxing, little paths are welcoming you till to the top of the hill until Ayia Yorgi Church. Only cats, dogs and coaches are accompanying you, the sea is lying down under your feet..There`s a wonderful smell of raki and fish on the coast.
And, Anastasia Meziki, our historic mansion, maybe older than 100 years, is the place where you should stay. The interior design, the smell inside, the furnitures, the accessories, the view...Everything is so orginal and attractive.
I feel myself lucky that I found this place, by chance from a blog post and I sincerely advise you to try if you decide to stay in Buyukada.
And once again, thanks to Ismail for his hospitality and friendship. For sure, we will be there again.
Right now, we are waiting in front of the gate, 203A, in Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Sabiha Gokcen is one of two big Istanbul airports on the Asian side. Together with last term investments, it has grown a lot and became one of the biggest airports of its kind in europe. Our flight is back to Bucharest. I guess I will have tens of istanbul-bucharest flight posts in following months:) But still it's a nice memorial for me so good to keep here.
If you arrive in this airport, just outside you can find city shuttles in every half an hour and go to main destinations for 12 Turkish liras. Do not go for taxi if it's not urgent, because this airport is outside of the city.
So let me enjoy my flight once again
This guestpost is from Salih, who has visited so untouched and virgin places in Turkey . You can view his blog here (in Turkish) and if you liked it, can vote here in Blog Awards Competition. Salih, thank you very much for your support and wish to enjoy more posts from you...
Avusor Plateau is in Camlihemsin town in Rize. You pass through Ayder Plateau to reach here. The road is pretty ok until Ayder Plateau, but after that it narrows and gets worse. You follow the road near the cliff which feels like you are flying. Too exciting in the bends, not all the cars succeed to go around the curve at once. The view is amazing.
Once you get closer to the plateau, small stand alone houses start to appear. Noone lives in most of the villages, anymore. But you can come across people in unexpected areas.
You can see Avusor Plateau in above picture, there are around 40-50 houses here. They are not that tall because of the snow. We have a short break in a resting place which has a small shop and cafe. No way to sleep overnight. If the weather is ok, you can stay in a tent or stay in Ayder Plateau, the closest.
The old lady makes some tea. She is running both the shop and cafe. Both places are made of wood. Interestingly, it was so comfortable, maybe we were bored of concrete.
Cafe looks like old Turkish inns from this movie, a totally minimalist interior design. Anyways, we would not expect more from such a place in 2.600 metres high.
And that`s `Sasgun Bakkal` that has been restored recently. It was quite different in the old photos. This looks artificial, they wanted to have a funny Black sea style. (Black sea jokes)
This shop may be surprising for a city guy, cause there are not so many product types, one per each. There was another shop in the plateau but was closed.
When we were walking around, we met also Mr. Recep (Turkish Prime Minister)
After another break, we wanted to see the famous lake of the plateau. A local guy caught us and started to tell about the history of the plateau and the lake. As he could not finish his story, he wanted to join us and did until the lake.
And this is a mini hydroelectric plant up to the village. The village takes the electricity from here. In most of the Black Sea villages and plateaus, you can see these little plants.
The lake is 45 minutes far from the plateau and it`s an enjoyable and comfortable path..
The guy found us again and started to talk about the history. His knowledge impressed us. Old name of Pazar, Rize`s town, was Atina. It did not sound so real, that time, but google proved the guy, its name was Atina until 1928.
The view is awesome. The name of the hill is `Kemerli Kackar`. Don`t get confused about lake`s name, it`s either Avusor Golu, Buyuk Gol or Kemerli Gol. On the map, it`s as Buyuk Gol.
In all the trip in this region, for sure there is `tulum` and in each flat area, they play `horon`. I was surprised at first, but well this is normal here. The hill over there (in the photo above) is `Kemerli Kackar` and lake is just on the hillside.
Thanks to CAYDOSK for the trip. If you come here, there are many trips organized by local organizations. You should attend one of them.
CHECK THE MAP from Camlihemsin to Buyuk Gol
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