I had zero sleep last night. None! Zilch! I decided to go out for a walk early in the morning to take advantage of the cool morning air.
8500 steps later, I came home and watched the Turkey-Russia Women's Volleyball game. We won! I really wish for a medal. Our Women's Team is truly World Class. Not that you need proof but, here it is:
Meanwhile, we are going through terrible times as a nation due to several fires in the vacation spots. It makes me angry, helpless and sad so, I do not want to further talk about this but, I am going to say I believe all these fires are sabotages. The current president knows he will not have a chance during the next elections in 2023. Therefore, I suspect they are trying to provoke a civil war so that elections may be postponed or banned altogether. They are claiming that these fires are being set by the Kurdish terrorists but, at this point I am not sure. They tell so many lies that, it is hard to know what is true anymore. There are other things too but, as I said, I just do not want to talk about it. I feel sick.
Congrats on your volleyball team. Sorry for the fires. This looks very suspicious indeed. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you Farah.
DeleteI saw those fires in Turkey (and Greece and Italy) and it just made me so sad. Also disbelieving because while half of Europe is suffering a heatwave, I'm sitting around in a sweater as it's barely making 22°C here!
ReplyDeleteYes there are fires everywhere due to the weather too but 31 cities and 101 fires does not make sense does it? I just found these numbers and am horrified. Whoever they are, they are burning us.
DeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI'm a long time reader and rare commenter but I love your blog and love Turkey. The happiest times of my life have been spent in the areas which are now burning. In a non-Covid year, I would have spent at least two weeks there and be looking forward to another two in the autumn. I am weeping for the loss of life, the loss of homes, the loss of natural beauty and the loss of livelihoods. I have made contributions to Red Crescent and a number of Go Fund Me accounts but if you have any suggestions for other practical ways I can help, I would welcome them.
Love to you and all of Turkey.
Heloise (England)
Thank you so much Heloise. You cannot imagine how much my heart aches. There is a lot of confusion as to who to help. The Government is not dealing with this properly so, I would be careful about GoFundMe and even Red Crescent. If you know British people living in Turkey, I am sure they are organized to help the people by directly buying necessities and hand delivering them. If you are willing to contribute more, please do so through people you already know. This is September 11th of Turkey. 31 cities, 101 fires. They are burning my country!
DeleteThank you so much for your advice. I do know a number of British people who live on the south west coast of Turkey and I know they will distribute any contributions in the best way they can. I was also thinking of trying to send financial contributions directly to some of the wonderful Turkish people who have been so hospitable to me over the years. Do you think that would be helpful?
ReplyDeleteThere is currently a petition asking the British government to offer as much help as possible and I am encouraging everyone I know to sign it.
I'm sending all my love. A large part of my heart is in Turkey.
PS. One suggestion for contributions was TEMA https://knowledge.unccd.int/cbm/turkiye-erozyonla-mucadele-agaclandirma-ve-dogal-varliklari-koruma-vakfi-turkish-foundation
ReplyDeletePlease can you let me know whether you think this is worthwhile and will direct funds properly.
I'm really sorry to bother you with questions but I am desperate to help.
Oh please do not be sorry. I appreciate your offer of help more than you can imagine. As for TEMA, they are obliged to transfer the funds over to the Government in such cases and I do not trust the Government to use the funds properly. I would suggest you reach out to the people you know Turkish or English to send your contributions. Cannot thank you enough.
DeleteI am sorry for the fires.
ReplyDeleteI started to ask if things could get any worse but change comes and we can only hope for the better.
Very happy for the volleyball team, at least that is some upbeat news!
Thank you Anne.
DeleteThose fires do sound suspicious and it's scary when it's pretty obvious gov't and officials are lying and probably behind a lot of the unrest. I feel the same way here in the US - that all the violent (well, not according to media) protests were just planned to create chaos and unrest.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we cannot trust any institutions anymore. I have never felt this helpless and hopeless since mom's passing.
DeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to check you are bearing up OK. As I said earlier, I am devastated, so I can only imagine how terrible you must feel.
I'm sending love and best wishes.
Heloise
Thank you so much for being such a caring person. I am trying my best to cope with this since, there is not much I can do personally other than donating money and hoping the fires will be put out soon. 31 cities and 135 fires started within 5 days. It was initially 101 fires and then others started in other places. This is a nightmare.
DeleteI'm so sorry there is such terrible unrest in your country. It sounds so scary. Hoping things settle down soon.
ReplyDelete