The Streets of Ankara

We have spent a lot of time walking around Ankara this week because our interpreter is sick and unable to help us with appointments. It’s winter, and the tree branches are bare, but the sun has been shining. If we keep moving, it’s not too cold. We find we want to be outdoors for a few hours every day. We miss California weather and living! We have visited a few parks which we will be glad to see once the world is green again. Giant swans swim in the park nearest us, and they look very cold!

We live near the foreign embassies here in the capital city of Turkey. When we walk around them, we feel like we are in Europe, because we see a lot of French and German language signs. Then we hear middle-Eastern music, and we KNOW we aren't in Europe! I carry a small dictionary in my purse so we can look up Turkish signs.

We visited the Kocatepe mosque again—and this time we also visited the large mall underneath the mosque. There is a multi-level shopping center there, with nice shops, a market, bakery, etc. We find it very surprising that a huge shopping center would be directly underneath a sacred structure. The people who visit each place are very distinct: all the women’s heads are covered “up top” near the mosque. We even saw one woman in complete burka with only her eyes showing. Downstairs, all are in western dress.

On the sidewalks, the men usually walk ahead of the women. Men will link arms and walk together, and so will women; but the sexes don’t mix much on the streets. Occasionally we’ll see a teen couple slyly holding hands, but not too often. I have been reminded of my place in society while out walking. I thought that as a “little old lady” I would command some respect on the street because of my age, but apparently my gender is more important. Females don’t get any respect! At first I expected young men to step out of the way on the very crowded sidewalks—and I nearly got knocked down a few times. Men do not step aside for women. Now I ask Ron to walk ahead and clear a way for me!