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Adana
Got into town right on time at about 11am. It was already plenty hot out, so I set out in search of somewhere to hide. My friend Merih wouldn't get off work till late, so I was just going to wait around for word from her. I picked up a great map at the tourist office and had no trouble orienting myself. Before long I was in front of the McDonalds just off Ataturk Caddesi. I was looking for somewhere with air conditioning where I could sit and not be bothered. I walked around a bit more and found a better place.
Flintstones Pizza
I was kinda checking this place out when one of the waiters came out and invited me in. I guess my big backpack and funny beard caught their eyes. I ordered up a veggie pizza and some cola. They were all interested to talk to me. I soon realized that they thought I was from the American military base just outside the city. No, I am not a soldier, I said. They were even more interested in this funny tourist. They even went out of their way to get me the Turkish Daily News. I sat in their shop for hours and read and read.
Incirlin
More good news about the States in the paper. While the investigation into the embassy bombings continues, there are problems here in Adana even. The base here is the main take-off point for plains patrolling the Iraqi no-fly zone. American and British troops have been here even before that problem though. Anyway, it seems that the Turkish workers on the base feel that they are not paid enough. Considering the inflation of about 70percent, I don't know how anyone can figure out wages here. Anyway, they closed down the base cafeteria and grocery store, and went on strike. The Americans on the base are also without AC now, and they are getting quite upset. Another great example of why I get dirty looks when I travel.
News From the Black Sea
The real problem at the border with Iraq is not the Iraqis or the Americans, but the Kurds who live in the region. For the longest time, a small group known as the PKK has been","0","8/14/98"
"08-13ii","fighting for indepence. Supposedly Iraq and Iran have managed to quiet their Kurds through some inhumane means. The Turkish army and police in the east have been known to hold or kill militants too. The US is accused of secretly helping different Kurdish groups in order to stir up trouble for Iraq and Iran. Some Turks say that we start these problems just so we can sell more guns and tanks. Anyway...
Where was I? Nobody knows how big the PKK is. The news is all kinda murky. They try to get some media attention now and then, just so that their cause is not forgotten. A couple days ago they made a big scene in the north, near where I was staying. They rushed into some tourist hotel near Trabzon. They kicked everyone out, set the place afire and killed the owner as he ran away. The small group fled back into the mountains to plot their next hit. It is just an isolated incident in a region where few Kurds even live. However, it hurts the tourism industry and reminds everyone that these wackos are still unhappy.
Back in Adana
After a couple calls from Merih, I managed to check into the Adana Teachers Dorm. I am not sure why they let me in, but it is a nice place to spend a couple nights. I went out for a walk to wait for Merih. I found this huge shopping center on the river. Galleria. The place has been here for about three years, but it never seemed to take off entirely. The rents are too high, so shops could not make money. Although I would think people would be happy to shop indoors like this, the American shopping mall didn't seem to work here. Half of the stores stand empty and the whole place seems kind of sad. There was a cyber cafe, though, so I was not sad.
Merih
Around nine at night, Merih finally showed up in her car. She drove us up north of town to this big lake. It is a slightly quiet and cool place where all of the yuppies go to hang out at night. We sat down at the Hindi (the Turkish word for turkey, not the Indian language) and had some drinks. Merih looks great. Instead of grad school, she decided to take a job with a French company here in her hometown. She has lots of responsibility and seems to enjoy the challenge of work life. However, she is not entirely happy with everything here. She is thinking of going back to grad school, maybe overseas, and marrying some guy in Spain or France. I shared my own wacky plans with her. We reminisced about our disco and clubbing days of old. Just for fun, we may go out for some dancing tomorrow night. Iyi aksamlar.
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