Rebiyulevvel 12meeting over in Chihangir's dark crooked streets new cherry blossoms Cihangir is where James Baldwin wrote his first novel and lived many years. It used to be the gay and trans district red light district, peopled with artist as well. Now it is yuppified with all kinds of cute little restaurants and pubs. The Thai curry broiled salmon I ate was really delicious, as we counted the ballots for the Democrats Abroad. Mohammed's birthday begins with a good flood of god's mercy Rebiyulevvel 12 is the date of the birthday of the Prophet (saws) and this year that was March 20, but the day begins at sundown by Islamic reckoning (just like the Christian day does.) The Prophet (saws) was born during the night. It is 2 days before the full moon. So the day after his birthday, you see a full moon (weather permitting). The taxi driver and I agreed on what is essential, as we drive slowly through the slightly flooded highway: traffic is light. Newroz posters besides Ataturk's pictures it's too cold for spring yet. Kurdish nationalism centers on Zoroastrian, Farsi, Parsi, Alevi New Year : the vernal equinox, and boys jump over bonfires Ataturk outlawed Newroz because it is celebrated by Kurds, and it is also outlawed by most Islamic scholars, because of its association at least historically with fire worship, but as a part of the Islamic AK Party's (Justice Party's) hopes for entering the EU and seeing full religious freedom in Turkey [Islam is still forbidden constitutionally in the republic and only allowed if it conforms to the secular state department of religious affairs similar to the Chinese system.] Newroz now has parliamentary support, another reason why the military is literally up in arms and the "secularists" have sewed the courts to ban the ruling party from government. So excuse a little bit of pun here, it really is too cold for spring today, 9 degrees and the same tomorrow. walking to the wedding office through the park cold feet it really is too cold yet for spring no joke on the way to the marriage bureau we get lost in the heavy rain My Kurdish friend wants desperately to be able to visit Europe. Her mother's in the hospital, and she needs a car to get there more easily. Another good friend of mine and she are going to start working as waiters in a brand new shopping center where there upscale new cute restaurants. Getting married to a European is one way to obtain valid travel rights in the Union. Especially when you are already friends. Good company is a great gift. warming up at the shopping center sipping real Mayan cocoa live jazz Back home clothes from the washing machine can wait till tomorrow. The marriage bureau opens at nine, and the weather report say no rain. Some wind and cold. aquarium gold fish noses poke out new shoots sprouting on the sea weed |